How many people can brag about attending all of Maine West's basketball games in a season? Nick Ladas '61 can.

"I've gone to all of the basketball and most of the football games since 1961. If I had more time, I would like to go to the baseball games, too," Nick says.

What gives Nick such initiative to use his spare time supporting Maine West's teams? Nick firmly explains, "I've graduated from Maine West; and when you graduate from a school, you support it! If it is winning or losing, it doesn't make any difference!"

Nick attended Maine East for his first three years of high school. When Maine West was built, he transferred. "The new Maine was really nice and modern compared to Maine East. It has a lot of conveniences," he commented.

If you can't remember a score or who played Maine West when, ask Nick. Nick has kept a record of all sports' scores since 1961.

"I feel the most important thing is to support your team. It gives them confidence and makes them play better," declares Nick.

School spirit and attendance at the games, Nick feels, are closely related to the way the boys play. "The kids think

we don't have a great team, so they don't support them. But we do have a fairly good team, and it could be a lot better if more kids came to the games and cheered for their team," explained Nick.

One of the most exciting games that Nick remembers was during the '64‑'65 season when Maine West played St. Pat's. "The field house was so packed with people, you couldn't move. I've never seen so many people at a basketball game!"

Everybody was cheering for both sides. We lost, but it was really great to see so many people pepped up!" Nick exclaimed.

The main highlights that Nick remembers of his four years at Maine were getting his M‑Club sweater and being voted into Brotherhood Society.

"Last year my M‑Club sweater was a little out‑of‑date, so the guys on the basketball team pitched in and bought me another," Nick proudly mentioned.

Nick predicts that Maine West is going to beat Maine South in the regionals this year. "The basketball team has been improving each week, and they should be more than capable of beating Maine South in March."