The Minnesota Timberwolves have been playing the best in franchise history this season, having the best defensive rating in the NBA led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Rudy Gobert. As of this January, according to Minnpost, the Wolves’ defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) was 2.2 points higher than the next-best team. With intense matchups between teams and ecstatic fans cheering in the stands, the Timberwolves hype squad, the Action Pack, actively engages with the crowd during timeouts and other breaks. One member of the Action Pack is none other than Mounds View Math Teacher Chad Schlosser.

Basketball has been a pivotal part of Schlosser’s life since his early years, where he developed this passion despite exposure to various other sports and activities. At age five, Schlosser began his basketball journey and continued this passion throughout middle school and high school, where he played for local leagues and traveling basketball. During his middle school years, playing basketball also allowed Schlosser to get the opportunity to compete against now-NBA professional, Tyus Jones, a player for the Washington Wizards. Schlosser continued to play in college, where he spent several years honing his skills as a forward for the Saint Mary’s University Cardinals. 

After college, what drew Schlosser to the Action Pack initially was his cousin’s involvement with the group. Schlosser notes that at holiday family dinners, his cousin would love to share stories of his experience with the Action Pack and would pester him to join. What made Schlosser hesitate to join the Action Pack was his limited free time, as he had originally worked at Mercer in the science field before becoming a math teacher at Mounds View. This transition freed up more of his time, which changed Schlosser’s mind. With this season being his second year on the Action Pack, Schlosser had originally planned on participating in the Action Pack for one or two years, but the inviting atmosphere at NBA games made him realize that he would like to continue it. 

Just like its name, the Action Pack requires a lot of movement on the court and excitement thrown at the fans in the stadium. Schlosser’s role in the Action Pack can be many things, such as tossing Timberwolves t-shirts into the crowd or inviting fans to compete in shooting games on the court. The Action Pack also greets the fans at the entrance before the game starts. “We’ll be in small groups of three or four at the different entrances, and I’ll just be like saying ‘Hey’ to the fans and ‘Go Timberwolves.’ We’ll play music for them, and if fans just want to talk about the players or the game, we’ll talk to them about that,” said Schlosser. 

Growing up as a more introverted person, Schlosser says joining the Action Pack helped bring out another side of him. “I really like the people I work with, and you get a group that’s comfortable, like having fun and everything, and you kind of feed off the crowd. I’ve gotten a lot more used to it and a lot more comfortable,” said Schlosser.

Schlosser enjoys working with the Action Pack not only because of the fun and hype but also to continue his passion for basketball, even if it is not playing on the court.