Small City-Huge Heart: Mechanicville’s Unmatched Fan Spirit Is #1

There is nothing like this time of year in the Capital Region. Section 2 basketball is front and center and when you cheer on your hometown team, the whole community becomes one. Nothing represents this more than my hometown of Mechanicville.

There is something special about being from a small town. If you know you know. But allow me to brag and let you know what it's really like. There are many small cities and towns throughout the Capital Region, but Mechanicville is special for me. Ever since I was in Kindergarten, love, and pride for Mechanicville was instilled in all of us.

When you are all grown up too, you can't help but let your spirit shine. The joke is, if there is a sporting event that involves Mechanicville, the city is a ghost town because everyone is at the game. As silly as it sounds, it is kind of true.

I can't tell you what exactly it is that makes residents of Mechanicville so passionate about our teams. Maybe it is what brings us all together for one common purpose or maybe it's the neighbor helping neighbor mentality. Young or old you can find us all at a Mechanicville game.

Here's the proud mom of a senior who was the goalie on the soccer team that went all the way to the States and is in the starting five of the boys' basketball team that is on the verge of winning a Section 2 title.

Even if it isn't a family member who is on the team, the Mechanicville community will travel hours to support them. It's just what we do.

As we start to realize that the Mechanicville School District must change the name of its mascot, there is a sadness that comes over most of us. They may be able to take away our mascot name, but ask anyone who went to Mechanicville and they will tell you they are forever a Red Raider.