Poly Packs the Haus With School Spirit

Poly’s Scott Gym was bursting with Panther pride on Thursday, October 10 as students, Middle and Upper school applicant families, faculty, and staff came together for Pack the Haus, a spirited event designed to foster community and school spirit. The event, conceived and organized by Vince Oliver, Admission Outreach Associate and varsity boys basketball coach, originated from his earlier coaching experience at Notre Dame High School. “I was just trying to figure out ways to get the school to rally around my team and get the guys to feel inspired. So it was like a beta version of what Pack the Haus came to be,” he shared.

When Vince joined Poly five years ago, he saw an opportunity to combine his work in admissions with his passion for sports. “Poly already has such a strong, rich academic tradition—and it has a strong sports tradition too,” he said. “I just thought it’d be cool to shed some light on that. Athletics is one of the few things students get to choose and publicly showcase their abilities. I wanted to give them an event they could all rally around.”

This fall’s Pack the Haus, the first of three similar Athletics-support events, centered on the girls volleyball team’s senior night and league championship match, drawing one of the largest crowds of the season. The event offered free T-shirts, spirited cheers, and food donated by Dog Haus, owned by Andre Vener '91 P '30 and Michael Montagano P ’30. “Michael shared, ‘Had we known, we would have brought more!’” Vince said. “The turnout was incredible.”

The gym pulsed with energy as the Panthers battled through a tense match, fueled by a roaring student section led by juniors like Maxwell L. ’27. “It was truly an amazing game to be at, especially being a student-athlete, understanding the effect a spirited crowd has on a game,” said Maxwell L. ’27. “The energetic atmosphere was filled with school pride, and you could really feel the fans coming together in support of the team. The intensity of our chants and the excitement from the crowd, mixed with the passion from the players, made it a truly memorable game.”

“I think that the Pack the Haus game last night was truly special to see how we came together as a community, and it meant so much to me to see the amount of people who came out to support and cheer us on,” said volleyball player Keira K. ’28. “It was amazing to be able to beat such a talented team and to be able to get this win for our seniors. The most meaningful moment for me was when we won the last set, and I was able to celebrate with so many of my friends and classmates.”

As the night ended with a championship win and a packed gym echoing with cheers, Vince reflected on the deeper purpose behind the event. “Our students have so much on their plates,” he said. “But whenever they do get a chance to show up and support, it doesn’t go unnoticed—it makes a difference.”