With the 2023-2024 football season heating up, another Amador staple is returning for the year: Don Squad. But wait, what even is Don Squad?
“Don Squad is a group of spirited students that display a lot of school pride and energy and are chosen to lead the school chants and spirit during games and school events. They lead the student section in terms of spirit, cheering and getting hype,” said Kriti Gaur (‘24).
Don squad has been an iconic Amador tradition for as long as current students can remember. So, what are the origins of this iconic Amador tradition? Signs point to the lost-to-time “Purple Wave Man,” a mascot who can be described as a one-man Don Squad.
“I remember that (Purple Man) would run around (the field) and had these big muscles. I think he would tease people in the stands too,” said AV teacher and former student Julie Foley (‘98).
Purple Wave Man’s inception was in 1995, and featured student Ryan Durst (‘98), dressed in a superhero costume sporting the iconic purple and gold colors. He helped rile up the student section at events, the role Don Squad proudly fills today.
“If you have a lot of high energy and you’re very spirited and you wanna showcase that spirit, I think it’s a really fun outlet. And you get to lead the whole student section, which is super fun,” said Gaur.
