Niles West High School is introducing a new plan to ramp up school spirit at sporting events, assemblies and even during passing periods: student DJs and playlist curators. Caitlin Lucci introduced the idea in the ‘This Week @ West’ newsletter for the week of December 2. to 6. 

Starting with the boys basketball games this winter, there will be a designated student DJ. Although the DJ has not been officially announced, Lucci already has plans set in place for the DJ to attend one of the upcoming basketball events.

“We want to be able to continue ramping up the overall fan experience at athletic events. Ideally, we’re going to scale [this] up to use at all sporting events, but we’re starting with basketball games,” Lucci said.

Although the details of the DJ role are not yet set in stone, Lucci has clarified that the DJ/hallway music curator will use software that allows music to be played easily and allows for a quick transition between basketball quarters and passing periods.

Along with music at sporting events, Lucci wants to reintroduce hallway music. Although hallway music was paused a couple of years ago Lucci hopes that soon, a student can be in charge of the playlist, making the passing periods more fun and energetic.

Some Niles West students are skeptical about the reintroduction of hallway music, though.

Senior Lily Rose isn’t sure how the hallway music will play out. Over the past week, music has played during a couple of passing periods, and Rose wasn’t a big fan of what she heard.

“So far I haven’t enjoyed it. I feel like I’ve heard a bit of 70s music which isn’t my style and I’ve heard a lot of songs that just aren’t super great,” Rose said.

In hopes of reducing this shared sentiment, Lucci’s idea of a student DJ will allow someone with more current music taste to take over the speakers. In the flyer promoting the role, Lucci specified that students applying for the position do not need to have perfected the role of DJ, they just need to have an inclination for music. 

“Experience not necessary, just a love of music and a basic understanding of sporting events to ensure proper use of sound effects, etc,” Lucci said in the flyer.

One of Lucci’s hopes is to ramp up school spirit through a student DJ.

“[I hope a DJ will bring] excitement, energy, a passion for music, and show how the arts can enhance an athletic event, adding overall fun,” Lucci said.

Rose agrees with Lucci, that the music may add some needed school spirit back into the student body.

“I think it adds to the school excitement and it might help with the energy. It will add some fun,” Rose said. 

If you are interested in being a DJ at sporting events or curating the hallway music playlist, email Mrs. Lucci at [email protected] or fill out the survey attached in the December 2nd ‘This Week @ West’ email.