VERO BEACH – Gathered in the lobby at Indian River Estates, residents milled around, their excitement level palpable as the Vero Beach High School cheerleaders walked through the door.
“F-I-R-E…Fired up for I-R-E!” the cheerleaders chanted.
For about 20 years, the residents of Indian River Estates have caught a bus to Vero Beach High School to watch the Fighting Indians football team take on whoever dared to play them.
“I’m a football fan,” resident Mickey Kusel said. He and his wife, Marti, go to the games to show their support and have fun.
“Everyone’s full of spirit,” he added, referring to the fellow residents who attend the games.
Wendy Bushong, activities director at Indian River Estates, said they have about 30 residents so far signed up to go to the games throughout this season.
Planned this year are three tailgating parties, where the residents can partake in tailgate foods and mingle with the football staff at the school.
“They have a big ol’ time,” Bushong said.
Not everyone at Indian River Estates goes to the games – but that doesn’t mean they don’t support the school.
Carl Rivasi and his wife, Lee, keep themselves busy with all the activities already going on at the retirement community.
“There’s so many things to do,” he said. “We can’t do everything.”
Lee said they do participate in other activities at the high school, such as the performances at the Performing Arts Center.
As for this year’s season, some residents are curious to see how the team’s new quarterback will perform.
Last year’s leader, George Bryan, graduated and is headed off to college. His dad, also George Bryan, is the executive director at Indian River Estates.
He said that when his son was the quarterback for the team, more residents at the community took interest in the games.
This year, the same appears to be true.
“We’re building quite a tradition,” Bryan said – and continuing the sense of family that’s grown between the seniors and the team. “They really get into it.”
While the Kusels don’t have a prediction for this year’s season – they do expect to see some good games.
“I’m hoping they win,” Marti Kusel said.
“Win or lose, we just like to go,” her husband added.
