Wyandotte's SixthMan Brings New Dimension to the Game

They are. Sixthman.

If you've been to a Roosevelt High School basketball game, there's little doubt you know who the SixthMan are.

With their crazy costumes, themed chants and overall excitement, the few dozen guys sit together to create a student section like none other.

Sometimes they sing songs to pump up the team and the crowd, while other times they put on skits. Regardless, though, they leave people laughing and feeling good.

"They stand out," Roosevelt teacher Ron Adams said. "There's no doubt about it. The group of young men that represent our school as a sixth man do an outstanding job as far as the themes they set up, the interaction with the crowd, the excitement that they generate. You can just feel the energy. And I think it creates a great climate and culture for high school athletics."

Senior Nathan Sexton said the student movement has picked up steam to a point now where "everyone knows the SixthMan."

"All eyes are on us when it comes down to the game," he said. "I think we are the most entertaining part besides from the game itself."

According to their Twitter account, they're "taking over Downriver one student section at a time."

And now they're hoping to get some recognition for what they've created.

The students have entered a video depicting what they do into the Michigan High School Athletic Association's second annual Battle of the Fans contest. (Watch the Wyandotte video above and all of the entries submitted so far this year on the contest's YouTube playlist.)

The MHSAA Student Advisory Council will choose five finalists from all the entries statewide. MHSAA officials will visit each school on a Friday game night to see the fan section in person. The winner will be announced on Feb. 22 and will be invited to the Class B Boys Basketball Semifinals at the Breslin Center on March 22 to be recognized and receive a championship banner.