When it comes to rallying the crowd at football games, senior Zach Ruthfield knows how to make an impact. From leading chants at the front of the student section to running the “Gonksports” Instagram page, Ruthfield’s energy creates an electric atmosphere for players and students.
Ruthfield’s involvement in Algonquin’s athletics as a super fan and captain of the boys’ soccer and basketball teams extends beyond the fields and courts. His role as a key figure in creating school spirit and leadership reflects his deep pride for ARHS, and as the football season continues, Ruthfield’s influence plays a critical role in shaping the game-day experience. One of Ruthfield’s favorite ways to share his excitement is with a classic football chant.
“I love starting it off with a ‘Let’s go Titans’ chant,” Ruthfield said. “This chant gets the crowd going and ultimately hypes the football team.”
Ruthfield’s leadership on the sidelines is about more than just noise—it’s about fostering a sense of unity among both students and athletes. His efforts remind everyone that school spirit goes far beyond showing up to the game; it’s about creating an unforgettable experience that improves both the team’s performance and the student body’s connection.
“School spirit is important because it brings the school together and gets everyone hyped for a sports event,” Ruthfield said.
As a varsity athlete himself, Ruthfield understands firsthand the impact a lively student section can have. He believes it takes just one person to get the crowd energized and he’s always ready to step up and take the lead.
“[A chant] needs to spark off of one person and if I need to be the one, I’ll step in and get everyone hyped,” Ruthfield said.
While Ruthfield takes on a lot of responsibility, he’s quick to credit the collective effort of the entire crowd for creating the electric energy that fuels the team. Ruthfield’s inspiration for this leadership role came early in his high school career.
“Looking at the crowds freshman year when our football team had a very solid year, student sections were packed and I wanted the same thing my senior year,” Ruthfield said.
Ruthfield’s mission is clear: louder crowds and more student attendance to support their teams.
Ruthfield uses social media to engage the community through his sports news page, “Gonksports.” Through game updates and motivational captions, his posts keep students informed and excited about upcoming events.
“I love giving updates and letting the students know what’s going on,” Ruthfield said.
His creative use of captions, hashtags and emojis adds a personal touch, keeping everyone involved and building anticipation for game day. When it comes to his outgoing character and taking initiative, Ruthfield attributes much of his leadership ability to his father, whose guidance helped him develop the skills he now uses to lead the crowd and manage the Instagram page.
“My dad’s leadership skills are what I learned from,” Ruthfield said. “[Gonksports is] lots of fun and lots of work, but it’s all an honor and I love doing it.”
Assistant football coach Jonathan Cahill, who has witnessed many spirited student sections and even was voted “Most Spirited” during his senior year at Algonquin in 2015, knows the importance of a loud and high-energy crowd during games.
“For the team, it can really make a difference when it’s third or fourth down and we need a big stop,” Cahill said. “You can’t practice with a big student section, which can really throw [the other team] off.”
Cahill sees Ruthfield’s role as crucial in generating this energy. Ruthfield’s involvement goes beyond the stands through conversations with coaches about student section themes, ultimately providing school spirit and help to the team.
“It seems that the torch [to create hype] has been passed down every year and now handed to Ruthfield,” Cahill said.
As the pep band returns and the new athletic complex continues to build excitement, school spirit is making a comeback. Thanks to students like Ruthfield, the energy at Titan football games is reaching new heights. Looking back at his freshman year, Ruthfield never imagined he’d be the one leading the charge.
“I thought I would have just been someone in the crowd that gets loud, but after seeing what I could do, I chose to step in,” Ruthfield said.
