Fans donning glaring orange and black line the stands at football games, basketball games and lacrosse games. Everywhere you look, there is orange and black. The school that looms just over Baseline Road is our biggest rival. This year, there’s a brand new way to compete against the Mustangs.  

In an effort to fuel the competitive spirit between Novi and Northville, Novi Student Council and Northville Student Congress collaborated to create Rivals Week. 

The winning school will be announced during halftime of the boy’s varsity basketball game on Friday, Feb. 3. A trophy will be awarded to the victorious school, similar to the Baseline Jug that is passed back and forth between the school’s football teams. The trophy will be a WWE belt with an “N” on it, representing both Novi and Northville. 

Winning isn’t the only goal of the week, though. Our schools will be raising money for CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. We will work with the Michigan chapter on donating blankets and all other funds collected. CASA is a group of community volunteers that are appointed by a judge to speak in the best interest of a neglected or abused child. 

Schools have the opportunity to gain points in several categories. Participation in spirit days is one way to earn points. The more students who participate, the more points that will be awarded. Don’t fret, student council members have accounted for the discrepancies in the number of students at Novi and Northville, so everything will be recorded as a percentage. 

Another way to earn points is attendance at the Unified Basketball game at the end of the week. The game will be held in the Performance Gym at 7 pm. Rachel Schypinski, student council adviser, will be present to scan student IDs and count attendance. On Friday, Unified team members will be clapped out of the school at the end of sixth hour in anticipation of the game later in the evening. 

On Advisory days, Northville and Novi students will participate in lunchroom games at their respective schools. There will be a series of Minute-to-Win-it style games for all to watch. Participants who win lunchroom games, by lasting longer or playing faster, will earn points. 

Points can also be earned by donating blankets. Each advisory will be provided with materials to make one blanket as a class. Five points will be earned for each blanket made and an additional 10 points will be awarded for every blanket donated. 

Finally, T-shirts are being sold for $12, with all proceeds being donated to CASA. Purchases can be made at the link found here, Home | Rivals Week 2023 Fundraiser (inksoft.com). 

This event is competition-based, but is also fun and encourages school spirit and charitableness with a good old-fashioned rivalry.