Dallas, PA — Behind the crisscross grey fences surrounding Mangelsdorf Field on the far side of the Back Mountain region, sat less than 100 strong, draped in red, gold and variations of black. All yelling jarring banter, but solid in their reserve.
And they kept coming. One by one. Dozen by dozen, the Monarch faithful poured into Misericordia University. Their resolve as steady as the men that sprinted the emerald turf. Their chants as rattling as the net following a David Stroh strike.
When’s the last time a student-section actively traveled with a King’s College team? Don’t worry, I’ll wait.
The last time? Maybe this scene last year when King’s slumped Misericordia on the road for a chance at a Freedom Conference Championship, the same occurring a year later. It’s like a precursor to Finals Week, a month in advance.
At first, the Cougar fans mocked them. Hundreds on the opposite end of the same side of the athletic complex, wrapped in a bothersome azure blue and highlighted with golden streaks. Colors of Back Mountain royalty. Colors of the opposition.
But “Monarch Nation” came strong, a mighty one-hundred composed of majorly students, but also coaches, administrators and loving parents, all chanting, all shouting, all bleeding Monarch red simultaneously.
The emotion was more than high. It was tangible from the parking lot, from the arches on Mizz’s main campus, and back to Lane’s Lane in quaint ol’ Wilkes Barre in the heat of the night.
And though there are other sports who have their own accomplishments – Tennis with individual conference champions and runner-ups this year, cross country with their best finish since 1981, football occasionally raising a Mayor’s Cup – there is nothing like watching the “gentleman’s game” played at it’s best, and the fans concurred.
After each goal came a chant, the next more gratifying than the first. Before the night ended, Misericordia had understood the depth of fan-appreciation, whether at home or on the road.
And the fans showed their appreciation during and after the game. Niall Croke’s grandmother stole a kiss on his cheek during a gathering with supporters. Coach Mark Bassett left the locker room cheerful after the win. Brian Alifano and Billy Brown couldn’t stop beaming.
It was again their time. But before they could have the opportunity to raise another crown, the fans, the students, the Monarchs were there.
And when they finally clinched it all, one war-cry, a single shout, one last yell solidified the victory for the college, for the team, and for the fans, in unison and felt from North River Street.
“A Monarch til’ I die, a Monarch til’ I die, I think I am, I know I am, a Monarch til’ I die.”
Tyler R. Tynes covers King’s sports for WRKC Digital, follow him on Twitter @TylerRickyTynes or email him at TylerTynes@Kings.edu