In all of the sports I have participated in throughout high school, I am grateful to say that I’ve had a supporter at almost every single competition, match, or meet. By saying supporter, I mean any family, friends, fellow classmates, and even staff members. I’ve been fortunate enough to have never had a moment when I looked into the stands and not seen a familiar face smiling down at me.
Although the act of “showing up” to root on someone may appear to be simple and unnoticed, coming from an athlete, it is most definitely recognized and valued by every player.
Everytime I have a sporting event, receiving the news of “I’ll be there” always gets me excited. It is a chance for me to show those who are important in my life how hard I have worked in my sports.
Although I can’t say I have been to every single game or competition at our school, I can speak for almost all of the athletes that coming to support for even the shortest amount of time makes more of a difference than no time at all.
Throughout my time in sports, I’ve always been taught to cheer for every single one of my teammates and even players on opposing teams. No matter if you are losing or the last person to finish the race, continuing to yell until it’s over is always important.
When you show up to support, deciding to be the person that continues to cheer makes all the difference. As a runner, hearing encouraging words no matter what place I’m coming in can sometimes even influence the outcome of the race I have. It pushes me to keep going when I know I have loved ones rooting for me no matter what.
This same principle can also be seen in action at any sports game. One of my favorite things in high school is going to football games where countless numbers of students, little kids, teachers, and parents show up to demonstrate their school spirit. When all of the student section comes together to yell chants like “D-Up” or “SCO-”, it becomes less about winning and more about the connection between the students in the stands and the athletes on the field. Coming to watch a sporting event not only demonstrates your commitment to the athlete, but also fosters a connection within the community.
As a cheerleader, I learned the importance of showing up first-hand. The whole goal of being a “cheerleader” during the football and basketball season is to “show up” and be a supporter for every athlete. Whether it’s on the sideline of a home game, or taking a bus an hour away, we were always there to root on our team. We also were able to witness the outcomes of the games vary based on the size of the support sections and how loud we cheered.
Varsity Cheerleading team member junior Reese Kelly says that cheering at games with bigger student sections enhances the overall experience for everyone who comes.
“When I cheer at games with a big crowd versus a smaller crowd, the experience is always more exciting and fun for all the people who attend,” said Kelly. “The best games I have cheered at and the games that win always have a big student section.”
Aside from the school sports that attract large audiences, it is important to not overlook the sports that lack in popularity.
Senior Girls Varsity Soccer member Brooke Kaiser resonates with this and shares that she notices the difference between girls and boys sport’s fans’ attendance.
“When you’re on an all girl team, you feel like you don’t get as much attention and appreciation as some of the other teams,” said Kaiser. “It’s important to show up for all types of sporting events because it makes you feel appreciated and that what you’re doing is worth doing.”
No matter what, it is important to always try and show up to support others. It may not feel like the most important thing in the world to you, but it definitely leaves a lasting impact on all of the athletes.
