Are you feeling the winter blues? Do you need  an extra boost of Duke spirit? Lucky for you there is a solution. Monocle Nation is a new student lead group at York focusing on creating school spirit at the basketball games and around school.

“The goal is to have school spirit at it’s highest at all times,” said senior and co-leader Jacob Evans. “We want to have the biggest crowds and experience possible at the games.”

The group is different from school spirit groups of the past. To raise excitement for upcoming basketball games, they have created their own YTV videos and are very popular on social media.

“We really try to utilize social media to branch out to people of all grades via Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram,” said senior and co-leader Halle Truett. “We have seen a lot of improvement in attendance because people are being exposed easier.”

Thus far in the basketball season, student turnout has been really high and people are definitely taking notice notice.

“Even just a couple games into the season I can tell that there is a lot more energy at the games,” said York Cheer Captain Madison Hoffmann. “The student section has really gone all out this year.”

Students are showing up to the games and having a lot of fun, but the people who seem to be appreciating this rise in fans the most is the players themselves.

“Wow,” said senior basketball player Richard George. “They’ve been incredible in cheering us on! They get the team really pumped up and ready to go.”  

Wherever the team goes, at home or on the road, Monocle Nation is determined to bring York spirit.

“They are going to away games and cheering louder than the opposing team’s fans.” said basketball player Jack Morrissey.

While spirit  at basketball and other York’s team’s games is Monocle Nation’s main focus, they are also focused on supporting a sense of community around York.

“It’s to get people to want to be involved with York, weather they are people in the community or students at York,” said senior and co-leader Matt Wozny. The group wants get people involved not just at York; they want to see more spirit outside the walls of the school.

“We want to  spread Duke pride further than the Campbell Gym,” said senior and co-leader Matt Shipman. “It’s about “sounding the cheage” and supporting all dukes.”

So this year, you are encouraged to join Monocle Nation in filling the bleachers throughout the basketball season.

“People need to try and experience at least one game,” said Halle Truett. “They’ll realize how much fun it is, especially underclassmen.”   

After winning the Jack Tosh tournament, the basketball team has continued on to an impressive 11-4 record; there is no better time to support the Dukes.