Hailed as the best school in the country AND the best student section in the country, Academic Magnet’s Birdcage brings the spirit to any event. Those who are lucky enough to be apart of the madness consider each moment in the ultimate peak of their life. If you have stumbled upon this article, you may be asking yourself, “what exactly can I expect from the Birdcage?” Let me tell you, young grasshopper, I have it covered.

First of all, expect it to be loud and hot. The bleachers will be tight, but the more people, the better, right? Also, more people mean more noise. Be prepared for screaming, especially if you’re in the center of the Birdcage. Furthermore, seniority determines your spot on the bleachers: seniors in the front (no exceptions), juniors behind them, sophomores follow, and then freshmen. While you may want a good view of the game, your location on the bleachers is a rite of passage. Most of the time, there is some sort of theme, so in order to blend in well, make sure you are dressed appropriately to said theme. “Dressing up” means going all out. The Birdcage expects nothing less.

After you have understood the basics of the Birdcage, you need to know some of the cheers. This may be one of the most crucial components of any Magnet event: the spirit. Here, I have provided the correct words to the most popular cheers, along with any necessary comments.

“Raptors in the Front”


Cheerleaders: Raptors in the front, let me hear you grunt!

Birdcage: *grunt noise*

Cheerleaders: Raptors in the middle, let me hear you sizzle!

Birdcage: Sizzle

Cheerleaders: Raptors in the rear, let me hear you cheer!

Birdcage: Whoooo! Do that stuff, do that stuff, do that stuff, do that stuff

*Please note that the cheerleaders are the ones who start this cheer, not the students.

“Pump It Up”

Cheerleaders: Raptors, are you ready? To pump it up, to pump it up, to pump it, pump it, pump it up!

Freshmen: Freshmen, are you ready? To pump it up, to pump it up, to pump it, pump it, pump it up!

Sophomores: Sophomores, are you ready? To pump it up, to pump it up, to pump it, pump it, pump it up!

Juniors: Juniors, are you ready? To pump it up, to pump it up, to pump it, pump it, pump it up!

Seniors: Seniors, are you ready? To pump it up, to pump it up, to pump it, pump it, pump it up!

Birdcage: Raptors, are you ready? To pump it up, to pump it up, to pump it, pump it, pump it up!

*Please note that the cheerleaders are the ones who start this cheer, not the students. Also, make sure to closely follow along with the order of the chant, as it is frequently misspoken.

“Strap In”

Spirit Leader: Strap in!

Birdcage: Make chugging noise; follow along with the spirit leader’s movements

“One We Are the Raptors”

One, we are the Raptors

Two, a little bit louder

Three, I still can’t hear you

Four, more, more, more, more

*After each line, make sure you are getting louder.

“Raptors, Football, Touchdown, Score”

Raptors, football, touchdown, score, ahhhh!

“Unlock the Swag”

Spirit leader: Unlock

Birdcage: The swag

Spirit leader: The swag

Birdcage: Unlock

“Olé”

*Jumping* Olé, olé, olé, olé…olé, olé

“I Believe That We Will Win”

Spirit Leader: I believe

Birdcage: I believe

Spirit Leader: I believe that

Birdcage: I believe that

Spirit Leader: I believe that we will win

Birdcage: *crazily* I believe that we will win!

*Repeat the last line around 3 times

Please note that each chant will be repeated a couple of times, so it is pertinent that you are able to keep the energy up. While basketball season is coming to a close, hopefully you can carry these beloved chants into the next couple of years, whether it will be with the Birdcage or in spirit.