On Friday, Feb. 7, Big Sky will take on Sentinel during the GOAT game, a crosstown basketball game but also winter’s biggest school spirit event.
According to SWX Sports and The Missoulian, the GOAT game is the school spirit competition of the year. Sports teams and school fan bases are graded on their sportsmanship, teamwork, and school pride. The winning team takes home Gertie, a golden goat trophy.
The history of this event dates back six years, beginning as a way to bring Missoula AA schools together for a friendly competition, according to Jennifer Courtney
Originally, the rivalry game only consisted of Hellgate and Sentinel, but two years ago Big Sky was invited to the event and played against Hellgate, who had dominated the GOAT game for four years in a row at the time.
In their debut matchup, the Big Sky Eagles lost the GOAT game by two points, but are hoping to finally get Gertie this year, said multiple Big Sky seniors who know this is their last chance at the award.
“This game is so important to us because of the pride, last time we felt like we were stolen from because we only lost by two points. And we are gonna win this year,” one senior said.
This year, Big Sky’s GOAT game theme is “Rio,” which is based on the movie from 2011. The music from “Rio” is very popular; the theme song “I wanna party” has over 1 billion views and has been playing in the Big Sky halls this week to get students excited. The week leading up to the GOAT games has also been a spirit week at school with different themed dress up days.
“Idk, it was kinda fun but for winter it had some bad themes such as Beach Day” said Ace Ruiz, a sophomore at Big Sky. “I just wish people would dress up more.”
This year the student government staff advisors are Laci Dunfee, business and yearbook teacher, and Emma Keffeler, Spanish teacher. As first year advisors, they said it was very stressful for them and the student planners of the GOAT game, including student body presidents Ariauna Belarde and Tenny Smith.
“From start to finish it was a very difficult process. The hardest part was coming up with a theme and agreeing on it,” Keffeler said. “Once we decided it was gonna be Rio it all came together. Our students had great ideas and our booster club supported us all through the process, which was awesome.”
This year Big Sky decided to add the students and staff into the halftime show, and there have been numerous practices all month to get them ready for it.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, students and staff showed off the halftime show performance during an all-school assembly. It involved the cheer and dance teams dancing with the students.
“I feel like it is definitely going to win over the judges, the dance team and everyone has put in tons of effort and dedication. I love that we have tons of people in it and I can’t wait to go out and dance at the game,” said Kade Williams, the GOAT game spirit award winner who is heavily involved in the performance.
Although the GOAT game is largely a positive event, MIPs have been issued to students at the games in years past, according to administrators and school resource officers. And, with the rise in juvenile gang activity in Missoula, both Sentinel and Big Sky high school administrations will have to take extra precautions this year.
According to Big Sky’s school resource officer Christian Cameron, this year’s security detail will be increased. Not only will Officer Cameron and Sentinel’s SRO be present at the games Friday, alongside University of Montana’s security team, but there will also be an additional four additional Missoula patrol officers present as well.
“I believe the most important part of my job is to keep you all safe…” Cameron said during Big Sky’s pre-GOAT game assembly that took place on Thursday.
Safety aside, Cormack Batt, the Eagles’ starting center, said that he feels excited but also nervous for the game tonight.
The girls’ GOAT game will start at 6 p.m. at the Adams Center. The boys’ will play at 8 p.m., and the school spirit halftime performance will take place during the second game.
