From parents to friends to teachers and staff, there are many people who come out and support our Hammonton High School sports teams at their games; but, there is no group of people or individual person who can compare to the dedication of squad.

Anyone who has attended a sporting event where this group of energetic high schoolers has been present would have a million questions: why is there that big cutout head? Why do they come to all the games? While these are valid, one question stands out in everyone’s minds: who is squad?

This self-named group of students and Hammonton High school are composed of members of all grades who share a binding love for the school’s sports teams.

After tracking down a few members of squad, I had the opportunity to ask them a few questions about this crazy group of individuals.

Jake King and Gary Marva, both seniors at Hammonton, both enthusiastically support the girls soccer team.

“Girls’ soccer is my life,” Marva said with a smile.

“I love the game and the guys I go with,” King said.

Not all of the members of squad knew each other before the soccer season, but they were united through attending the games.

Squad is known for researching the roster of the opposing team and printing it out prior to the game, and then yelling the names of the players while the game was going on.

“Sometimes we’ll go out to eat before the game, too,” said King.

Their other trademark is the giant cut out head of senior Alex Ballistreri, which they bring to every single game and event. When asked about what the purpose of the head was, King responded with, “That’s like asking what’s the purpose of life.”

Marva agreed with him. “I can’t explain the AB head,” he claimed. “The secret behind it is written on the pyramids of Giza.”

Although the girls soccer season has come to an end, squad will come out and support the field hockey team in their playoff games, along with the winter and spring sports teams at Hammonton High.