“One of the main ingredients in the spirit of a school is the cheering of the student body while in the stands,” stated an editorial in the October 29, 1943, issue of The Week. It not only gives every cadet a chance to break bounds vocally, but also goes far toward keeping up the morale of the players.”
This observation was spot-on some 70 years ago, as it is today…although cheerleading and the cheers have evolved over time. From cadets in varsity sweaters with oversized megaphones to girls in skirts with mylar pom-poms, cheerleaders have always been an enthusiastic presence on the sidelines. The physical nature of the sport and the intense practice schedule elevated cheerleading from an activity or club to an athletic program in 1977.
In addition to the changes to the cheerleaders themselves, the actual cheers have also received updates. In fact, the 1943 piece in The Week was written to inspire new cheers from the fans in the stands. It read, “For many years McDonogh has been so noted for its cheering, that almost every cheer has become an institution in itself. It’s not unlikely that a majority of the cheers were founded along with the school.”
Here are some memorable cheers:
Yikkity-Yak, McDonogh’s back!
Hullabaloo, we’re comin’ through!
Try to stop us, if you can–
Will we win?
YEA, MAN!
Sway to the left!
Sway to the right!
Stand up, sit down– FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Woo-woo skeewatten dotten
Wah-dotten SSSS!
Elzie-nelzie, eaten skeeten,
McDonogh School can’t be beaten!
Woo-woo skeewatten dotten
Wah-dotten SSSS!
