A new wave of energy is sweeping through San Saba High School, and it's impossible to miss! A sea of purple and gold packed into the student section at Rogan Field.
The Purple Pit, SSHS's newly formed student section, made its debut Friday, September 11, at the Battle of the River, and it did not disappoint. Sponsored by the National Honor Society, the group of 7th-12th graders kicked things off with a NEON theme, and students showed up in full color, cheering the Armadillos on with a level of energy the stands haven't seen in years.
But The Purple Pit is about more than glow-in-the-dark face paint and loud cheers. It was founded with a simple mission: give every student a reason to show up, feel included, and be part of something bigger than themselves. Not every student plays a sport or performs in a show, but every student can be part of the crowd that makes Friday nights unforgettable — and that's exactly the spirit The Purple Pit hopes to build.
Each home game will bring a new theme, giving students fresh reasons to pack the student section and cheer alongside their classmates. The goal is simple: pack the stands, boost the players, and make sure no student feels like they're on the outside looking in.
The spirit doesn't just start on Fridays. During a class period called “Dillo Time,” students come together to paint banners, prep decorations, and practice the chants and cheers used in the section. These activities aren’t only to help us be prepared for game day, but also to help us connect more as a student community!
None of it would be possible without the community stepping up, so a huge thank you from the Purple Pit! Local supporters have donated money and items, including purchases through an Amazon wish list, to help stock The Purple Pit with the gear students need to join in. That way, no student is left out of the fun, and everything is there for them to grab and be part of the section.
After one night, the impact was already clear. The neon lit up the stands, the noise lifted the players, and a new tradition was born at San Saba High School. Here's to a season full of purple, gold, and a student section that shows up for the Dillos. The next home game is Homecoming, September 25th, and the theme is “School Spirit.” Deck out in your best Purple and Gold Apparel, as well as homecoming mums and garters, painted overalls or jeans, face paint, boas, glasses, and more creative ideas!