When people think of Academic Magnet High School they probably think, “Oh, a bunch of smart kids go there.”  Well, they are right, but the students at magnet really have it all.  They excel athletically.  The Raptors have won numerous state championships both as a team and individually.  How do they do it?  As some of the most intelligent student-athletes in the nation, they use these gifts alongside their own athletic abilities.  But most importantly, Academic Magnet High School has some of the most supportive fans that will go crazy for any sporting event.  

There is not a single student at Magnet that has not supported a sports team at least once.  Even the teachers are in on it!  If you went to any Magnet game, you would see the bleachers packed full with a bunch of high schoolers yelling and screaming.  The players love it.  When they walk onto the field or court and see the Bird Cage full, they get fired up.  This is the secret to our success.  Even with a school of only 600 students, the Bird Cage easily outnumbers fans of the opponent with no problem.  

Whether it is a home game, an exciting matchup against Bishop England, or a game all the way in Columbia the Raptor fan base will be there.  You will see the one set of bleachers at Danny Jones filled at all of the home football games as the Raptors come up with the win.  It is really hard for other teams to focus when all they can hear are the Bird Cage screaming at the top of their lungs.  This is truly the root of the success for magnet sports.  

Boys’ Soccer star Nate LeRoy took the time to speak with me about how he feels about the Magnet fan base.  LeRoy, the senior keeper, says that “It’s truly incredible how much support we get and it really takes my performance to a whole new level.”  Other athletes said that it makes them work even harder when they see their friends out there cheering them on.  How can other teams even compete? THEY CAN’T.