By Marty Camacho
A common sight can be seen in every Pirates home game; a sight so common it has become a natural occurrence to our athletes, coaches, and supporters. This sight is the support and cheers of the sisters, Carol Brabson and Janet Lincks, who never miss Pirates games, often dressed in pirate costumes as they fervently cheer on our athletes.
“They don’t miss a game,” said men’s basketball head coach Pete Pena. The Pirates Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams had their season openers last Oct 31, and the sisters were there to attend as expected. “I can’t even think about when I haven’t seen Miss Carol [and Miss Janet] to be honest with you,” Coach Pete continued. “She has just been a godsend for our guys; she’s always positive and so loving.”
Miss Carol has been attending Pirates games since 1992. She and her late husband started attending games after they moved back to Pensacola from Tallahassee. “That seems forever,” Miss Carol recalled, gesturing to the seats she and her sister were sitting on. “These were our seats!”
Miss Carol and her husband are both alumni of PSC, and their son, Jack, was an alumnus who played for the Pirates as well. “Now I can’t get him to come to the games. I think it’s ‘cause I cheered too loud!” Miss Carol quipped.
The season opener coincided with Halloween, so, instead of their usual pirate costume, the sisters opted to attend as skeletons. However, they confirmed that they will go back to their usual attire in the following games. Miss Janet also came with a bag full of candies and sweets for the athletes and the Pirates’ staff.
I actually recognized the sisters because of the bag of treats. This is because of something Coach Pete shared in a previous interview about them – “We know a holiday is coming because they’re gonna be in the office distributing candy bags for everyone.” As Coach Pete spoke, my first sight of the sisters was them giving candies to the PSC students who staffed the concession stand at the Hartsell Arena. Later on, I was also given a share of the treats they brought.
“They absolutely love the school,” Coach Pena described. “They absolutely love our kids, and they are extremely generous with their love. Nothing is ever going to deter them from being the ultimate supporters of Pirates athletics… God, I don’t know anybody that doesn’t love the candy.”
“I think what makes [their presence] extremely special for everyone is knowing that you’re looking at people, every game, that are rooting so hard for you and are gonna be there to either console or celebrate with you every single time.”
High above the supporters’ bleachers in the arena, the sisters’ fervent support and presence have become a strength for our Pirates. The sisters wish nothing but the best for the student-athletes. “I want them to succeed in the classroom, I want them to succeed on the court, and I want them to be good people,” said Miss Carol. And with the recent success of Pirates athletics, Miss Carol expressed nothing short of pride and happiness in being a Pirate supporter – “I am a Pirate, through and through.”