Spirit in sports
College spirit can be a determining factor for some high school students when it comes to picking a college. Others, however, are as opposed to this concept as the Cardinal opposes the Trojan. As with all matters big and small, Aragon students were more than willing to let loose on their opinions of the value of school morale.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to get out of their comfort zones, and makes way for some really great new experiences,” says sophomore leadership student Keaton Moe. “Spirit relinquishes stereotypes and brings people together under a common goal. It’s the pride that unites you and the [student] next to you.”
Moe sees spirit as vital in college. “Traditions and customs [in college] create a tighter knit community. You become part of a bigger idea, and that’s what everyone wants, right?”
For some, spirit and sports aren’t the most important factor in choosing a school. “I first looked for academics, but if they had a particularly good athletic program it was a big plus,” says senior Nichole Kwee. “I’m mainly going to Rice University because it has a very good engineering program. They don’t have an official water polo team but they do have a club water polo team. They actually have an inner tube water polo team which sounds like a lot of fun.”
Some students do not care about ratings or the competitive level at all. “[College sports] aren’t important, because a college is made for education,” says sophomore Dominic Vercelli.
However, senior Danielle McSheery shares a different view. “I don’t plan on playing in college but I really enjoy watching sports as a spectator,” she says.
Aragon alumni and Brown University student Julia Borden looks back on the effect school spirit had on her college decision. “For me, school unity and spirit are very important, but I’m not an avid sports fan,” says Borden.
While school pride was a factor in Borden’s search for schools, she expresses that the aspect of school pride transcends the sports. “When I started searching for schools, I wanted a school where I could have that school pride, but where the pride was more for the quality of the education instead of the quality of the sports program.”
“…Once I got to Brown I discovered that although I hadn’t thought I’d be interested in sports, going to games is a great way for the school to come together and celebrate our pride,” says Borden.
School enthusiasm can be seen as a fantastic form of camaraderie and friendship, or it can be seen as a roadblock on the road to success. It all really comes down to what one goes to college for. Does one go to enrich the mind, or the body? To train the body, or exercise one’s wit? Aragon students cheer for both sides of this argument yet realize that a mixture of both can lead to a fulfilling college experience.
