When it comes to sports rituals, some people take it to the extreme. For an example, readers may have noticed many preliminary finalist swimmers walking around school with bleached hair. Whether pertaining to a Prep sports team or an outside club, several students and teachers shared their crazy habits with the Prep Panther.

It is rumored that Mr. Stearn’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team discovered a pair of jeans that were believed to have belonged to a homeless man one day on the field at practice. Legend has it, the seniors take turns wearing the jeans before each game. If readers enter Mr. Stearn’s office, they will notice a glass case with said jeans in it and a picture book titled The Jeaneology containing various photos of seniors clad in the magical denim.

Another Prep coach shared his strategy used with the team of state champions. Mr. Hendricks’ girls’ soccer team insisted on driving the bus to their state games via the same route, traffic or no traffic. ‘ A baseball star his senior year at Prep, Mr. Engel was very attached to the equipment with which he accredited his success. He claims he would always name his baseball bats and sleep with them the night before a game. Additionally, readers should be sure to receive a fist bump from Reg Engel before a game!

Students with experience on Prep teams as well as outside teams also described their traditions, aside from rubbing hats and unwashed jerseys. Softball player Madison Burmester ’18 advises eating a day-old McDonald’s McMuffin on the morning of game day. Jack Johnson ’18 has a tradition with his baseball team to always hand all their caps to one person to wear at the 9th inning. He also said it is common for athletes to only dress one side of their body at a time for luck. Track runners oftentimes kiss the baton and stick it down through their shirts before a relay race.

Kellen Kavanaugh ’18 rows for Pocock and shared that crew members throw the coxswain into the water upon a victory or birthday celebration and do not cut their hair senior year. They also never wear their medals on the outside of their shirt.

Whatever one’s rituals are, various traditions are what keep spirit alive on the fields and off. So, let the games begin and the baggy jeans worn!