From senior splashing, anything but a backpack day, and homecoming week, Homestead is a place full of traditions.
Among these traditions are sports traditions. From dressing up to funky hairstyles, Homestead teams do it all. Kyle Rabuck, athletic trainer, appreciates these these traditions and feels that they help to bring athletes together.
“We usually have kids that are freshmen and incoming sophomores that made varsity; it helps make everybody know each other and bring everything together, hopefully creating one big team,” Rabuck said.
Sports traditions help promote team culture and create a sense of community among all the players. Oftentimes, it even creates a sense of brotherhood between players.
Alexander Moroder, assistant football coach, emphasizes that the football team’s traditions produce a culture that results in a special brotherhood.
“I think they definitely build a bond and a brotherhood, and so, as long as everyone’s kind of providing to a part of it, this year was a very special year for the brotherhood that was there,” Morder said.
Tony Navarre, boys hockey coach, has a favorite tradition as well: the boys’ hockey does an overnight every year. These traditions help to introduce new teammates to each other while building friendships.
“I think that when we all go to the overnight together, it really builds culture. Our seniors get a chance to know the freshman, and there’s a lot of connectedness there,” Navarre explained.
Another tradition held by many teams is the decision to change up the players’ hair before the playoffs. Whether it’s bleaching, buzzing, or dyeing hair, team members often collectively change their hairstyle.
Coach Moroder believes in the significance of changing up an athlete’s hair and its influence in potential player performance. This tradition helps players play the best they can, while creating team memories and bonding experiences between members.
“They look good, feel good, play good. Whatever they want to do,” Coach Moroder explained.
Sports traditions at Homestead cultivate team bonding and help to foster many new friendships between teammates while simultaneously creating a brotherhood between athletes, demonstrating the significance of athletic traditions.
Trainer Kyle Rabuck, when describing the culture provided by these traditions, explained the benefits of athletic traditions.
“This helps to make everybody know each other, and bring everyone together, hopefully creating one team,” Rabuck explained.
