It’s that time of the year again, football season.  The Freddie Fanatics pack the stands decked out in their best spirit outfits every weekend, cheering until their voices are gone.  Nazareth football games draw people from the entire community and unite the school in a fun, energetic environment.

All home games are on Saturday afternoons and most away games are on Friday nights.  These Friday night games have a completely different atmosphere than the day games and are greatly loved by the student body.  Sophomore, Mary Clare Harrington states, “I feel like there is more support for nighttime football games cause everyone’s always hyping it up throughout the school day.”

Mary Clare is not alone in this belief as Mr. Racki, Dean of Students and varsity football coach, agrees saying, “Quite honestly, the Friday nights’ atmosphere seems to be a little more electric because there are more people who go to Friday night games, in my opinion, and [the games are] a little more festive ‘cause you know with the lights and the evening, it just adds to it.”  He also attributes the interest of Friday night games to the popularity of the t.v. show, book, and movie “Friday Night Lights” which is about a high school football team in Texas.  This love for the show and for Friday night football even inspired this year’s homecoming theme, “Friday Night Lights: Naz Forever.”

Unfortunately, Nazareth has never been able to host Friday night football games because of regulations enforced by the Village of La Grange Park regarding the lights and noise. Nazareth’s principal Mrs. Tracey says, “Currently, we do not have permission from the Village of LaGrange Park to put lights on our field. In order to do so, we would have to obtain a special permit and ruling from the Village.  So far the neighbors have made it very clear they would not be in favor of this.  This may change in the future, but it is our current reality.  Neighbors believe that night games bring noise, traffic and “mischief” …..not to mention the bright lights that would be in some of their “backyards”. We naturally see it differently.”

Mr. Racki also disagrees with the rule stating, “It’s unfortunate.  I understand the neighbors that would balk against it but you’re looking at four, five football games and then a handful of soccer games.  It just doesn’t seem like that big of an inconvenience…we have a great school here.  As the Dean I can attest to the fact that our kids are great and well behaved and I think it would be a fun environment…”

The prospect of Nazareth hosting nighttime sports games in the future is something to strive for.  The interest from the fans and coaches is certainly present.  Now all that is needed is the village’s approval and the lights themselves.  Hopefully in the future, the Freddie Fanatics will pack into the bleachers of Valenta Stadium on a Friday night and watch the sunset as their beloved Nazareth football team clinches victory.