Imagine a packed gym, the crowd cheering and screaming, a sea of students dressed in red. It’s electrifying. This feeling is what makes high school sports so important and memorable. I remember being in seventh grade and coming to Redwood varsity basketball games as a young basketball player. I truly thought this would be what every Redwood athletic event is like. Looking back now, I realize those moments were rare.
That environment of spirit and excitement is commonly associated with our most popular teams, such as boys basketball. Still, many Redwood sports are simply underappreciated and not getting the attention they deserve. We as a student body are a varied group of multi-talented athletes who all deserve recognition and support. Upping school spirit and support for these athletes is key to creating a stronger, more connected student body.
Supporting school teams greatly enhances the energy of the game. It can also benefit the players, giving them confidence and support while playing.
The National Library of Medicine reports that when athletes receive frequent encouragement, effort levels increase by up to seven percent. When students actively support their teams, even through the small act of cheering, it creates a positive atmosphere that can help improve their performance.
As a Redwood basketball player my freshman and sophomore year, we didn’t have much of a crowd, but whenever we had even a small group of students cheering us on, there was a noticeable difference in the way we played. The support and cheering gave us motivation, and the anxiety that I carried with me started to fade. Those moments didn’t happen often, but when they did, they were special.
This is a sad reality for many Redwood sports, such as girls’ flag football, field hockey, tennis and more. It’s especially disappointing as these teams are competitive and successful, yet they still don’t receive valid recognition. They also have large rosters filled with committed athletes, so with so many students involved shouldn’t they deserve a bigger audience?
Cheering and enjoying games with classmates creates a fun, inclusive atmosphere that strengthens our school culture. This spirit should not be reserved only for the most popular teams.
Some of Redwood’s athletic leaders have started to take notice of this issue. Dr. Barnaby Payne, Assistant Principal Saum Zargar, Athletic Director Jessica Peisch and three varsity team captains launched a committee this year called the “ Captains Council.” A primary goal of the council is to build community among athletes. One strategy of this council is to encourage teams to come out to games and matches and support each other. They also have goals of sportsmanship and community service, laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected athletic culture.
While recognizing that attending more popular sports games is a great way to connect with friends and meet new people, I feel strongly that we should not overlook the value of supporting all of our classmates. Redwood boasts 51 total sports teams, whose athletes each deserve recognition.
A handful of sports draw large crowds. Texts of, “are you going to the game tonight?” flood our phones. It’s easy to get excited when everyone is talking about the same event. For many, these games are more than just sports, their social events. A way to feel connected and part of something bigger. But that’s exactly what needs to change. There’s a group mentality that is pervasive in high school culture—students, understandably, often feel more comfortable attending and supporting if they have a crowd of friends around them. Let’s see beyond that need and focus on our athletes who are competing. There’s something powerful about being in the stands and watching your classmate’s face light up when they realize you showed up for them.
