The 1970s: a period of bell-bottomed jeans, disco dancing, and most importantly, long-locked hairstyles. From the afro to shaggy sideburns, the ‘70s made it all possible. This newfound expression through hair led to the creation of the infamous mullet: a hairstyle in which the sides and front are cut short but the back remains long, flowing off the neck. As the ‘70s ended so did the mullet’s popularity. However, the Redwood boys varsity lacrosse team has brought back this forgotten look by turning it into a beloved start of the season tradition, cherished by the whole team. 

Originating in the early 2000s with one of the first Redwood boys’ lacrosse teams, cutting the player’s hair into mullets started as a bonding activity for the start of the season. As it was passed down from one team to the next, it soon became a rite of passage for all the Varsity boys to endure. The process occurs right after the teams have been officially selected. Following one of the first practices as a team, the seniors have the honor of cutting only the new players’ hair into a mullet or variation of one. For the newcomers, this start of the season ritual is a good way to familiarize themselves with the rest of their team. Sophomore Dennis Van Der Wal explained its significance to the new boys such as himself. 

“It’s an experience that we will all get to share together in the following years,” Van Der Wal explained.

The experience is not only important to the newcomers on the team, but it is also meaningful to the departing seniors, who each sacrificed their haircuts for the team. This simple act of cutting hair celebrates the start of the senior’s bittersweet final season together. Senior Max Ross remembered his own experience of getting a mullet his first year on the team and was excited for his turn to do the cutting as a senior. 

“We all loved doing it because we all remember how it felt when we got our first mullets from seniors, so it’s fun to try out cutting hair and giving the underclassmen haircuts,” Ross said. 

Ross also had the opportunity to cut his younger brother’s hair who is a new recruit to the varsity team. Like his older brother, sophomore Lucas Ross is excited to one day partake in this tradition as a senior.

 “I definitely look forward to being able to cut some people’s hair when I’m a senior. My dad cut his buddy’s hair when he was in the army so we know what we’re doing. It’ll be fun to do,” Lucas said.

It seems like cutting hair may run in the family for some players, and although the boys will not get to flaunt their mullets anymore due to school closures, they hope to continue the beloved tradition next year.