On Friday mornings at Wylie High, when the gym lights dim and the first notes of the fight song echo off the bleachers, there’s one voice that cuts through the buzz of the crowd — steady, confident, and full of Bulldog pride. It’s senior Swade Sipe, the student who’s turned the art of the pep rally into a full-on performance.
But this year, Swade isn’t just leading chants and hyping up the crowd. He’s leading his team — and himself — into a season of purpose.
Swade joined The Hodge Pack podcast recently to talk about what it means to be “all in” for Wylie. For him, that means embracing every bit of his senior year — from running flags across the football field on Friday nights to draining three-pointers on the basketball court come winter.
“I never thought I’d be the pep rally MC,” Swade laughed. “The cheer coach asked me last year, and I said, ‘Okay, I’ll do it — but I’m not being the mascot!’ But honestly, it’s been an absolute blast. You get to talk about sports, hype up the crowd, and build relationships with the coaches and teachers. It’s just fun.”
That spirit — the kind that fills a gym with laughter and energy — has made Swade a familiar face across campus. He practices each Thursday with the cheer team, memorizing a script, introducing the band, the cheerleaders, and leading the games. But as he told host Ryan Holmes, the real magic happens when the crowd comes alive.
“Wylie pep rallies are electric,” Holmes said. “If you’ve never been to one, you’re missing out.”
Of course, pep rallies are just the pregame show. The real work happens on the court, where Swade, a 6’5” sharpshooter, is ready to lead the Bulldogs into another competitive season. Over the summer, he played in the MAYB Hoops Shoe Circuit, an elite invite-only tournament sponsored by Nike, where he faced some of the best high school players in the country.
“I walked in thinking I was tall,” Swade said. “Then I realized I was one of the shortest guys there. But I played great — it was an eye-opener. My confidence went through the roof. It showed me I can hang with those kids.”
That newfound confidence will serve him well as he helps guide a Wylie squad that’s still finding its rhythm. “We’ve got about seven guys right now, five returning,” he said. “Coach Ruffin pushes us hard. The biggest thing for me this year is leadership — keeping everyone focused, but also having fun. You’ve got to be a team off the court before you can win on it.”
When asked about his goals, Swade didn’t hesitate. “I averaged 15 last year and hit 97 threes,” he said. “So, I’m shooting for 100 this season.”
He laughed as he shared his pregame ritual: “I wear long socks — all the way to my shins — and I listen to Coldplay before games. It just gets me locked in.”
Beyond basketball, Swade’s got his sights on the future. He’s already been accepted to Texas Tech University, where he plans to study finance — and maybe, just maybe, keep that basketball dream alive.
“I want to come back and help my grandpa in business,” he said. “But if college basketball comes calling, I’m not turning it down.”
Podcast host Ryan Holmes left him with one piece of advice: “Enjoy your senior year, Swade. Adulting will come soon enough.”
And from the sound of it, Swade’s doing just that — balancing leadership, laughter, and life in a way that makes every Bulldog proud.
Because whether he’s running the pep rally or running the floor, Swade’s spirit reminds everyone what it means to be part of something bigger.
It’s loud. It’s proud.
And it’s great to be a Wylie Bulldog.
Special thanks to The Hodge Pack for featuring Swade and celebrating local student-athletes!
🎙️ Catch The Hodge Pack live every Friday from 7–9 a.m. on The Country Giant K-106.9, or wherever you get your podcasts.