In the bustling halls of our school, students often form bonds through classes and clubs: attending extra help, participating in weekly meetings, or collaborating on projects. Yet, amidst the academic camaraderie, there is another field where friendship flourishes. During early weekend practices, after-school scrimmages, and late-night matches, students often develop close bonds with their teammates and coaches on the athletic field.
Junior Katie Yang, a three-season athlete, joined Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Lacrosse this year, finishing with no regrets. “I don’t know why I didn’t do sports in my freshman year, but after trying out for cheer, basketball, and lacrosse in sophomore year, I realized school athletics are a great [way] to exercise without it being too boring,” stated Yang. Yang also mentioned that friendship moments don’t have to be during practices or games. Athletes often have fun on the long bus rides: blasting music, sharing snacks, exchanging laughter. When games occur in the evenings, many choose to stay in school. “Completing homework, ordering take outs, and wandering in the halls with friends until 7pm for a basketball game is one of my favorite moments during the winter season.”
Not only do sports encourage the start of a friendship, but they also cultivate a sense of community. Many student athletes often lose contact after graduating, but college athletics can preserve these bonds formed in high school. Kyra Au, a 2022 South High graduate committed to Brandeis University, underscores the importance of community through her dedication to sports. “I wasn’t super serious [about Track and Field] when I joined. But after participating in the Cross Country season, I realized this is where I want to be because I really liked the community,” said Au. By participating in a sport, Au quickly found her niche in high school and carried it through to college. “I was pretty shy when I first started high school, and I wanted to find a community quickly. I think that I made track my niche and became really invested in it.” Kyra still maintains her friendship with many of her former high school teammates. One of her friends is Sab Lin, a 2022 graduate who runs at the University of Rochester. Due to distance, Lin and Au only see each other at one yearly competition. However, the meet is always much anticipated: “Sab and I gear up for it. It’s a little competitive, but it’s like, ‘Hey, can’t wait to see you,’” said Au.
Having a friend to lean on can bring immense comfort during setbacks. According to Sab Lin, tough practices and unexpected results create bonding experiences. “It’s like trauma bonding. After doing hard workouts together, you’re like, ‘Wow. We all made it through.’” Lin and Au both believed that their friends on the running track differed from their friends in the classroom. “I think having a mutual interest and goal in mind […] as teammates is a completely different vibe, especially because you’re choosing to be there,” said Lin. Both athletes expressed gratitude for Track and Field as a means for self-discovery and meeting new people: “You get to meet people across different grades, and I think you also find out a lot about yourself through sports,” said Au.
Andrew Tuomey, the Great Neck South Girls Tennis Varsity coach, also recalled bonding with his tennis doubles partner during high school: “I would have never been friends with my doubles partner. We were completely different people. [However], when you are playing a sport, you’re strategizing and battling together. I started talking to him during the off-season, and by senior year, we had become good friends.” As a head coach for 20 years, Coach Tuomey witnessed many friendships formed on the tennis team: “I’ve seen doubles partners who weren’t friends beforehand play together for two or three years. And eventually, you see them walking together in the hallway.”
Although team sports such as basketball and lacrosse require interactions during a game, which will often lead to friendships, individual sports such as tennis and golf provide an opportunity for bonds after the games. Regardless of the sport, friendships often flourish due to the lengthy practices, intense matches, and enjoyable hangouts! Joining a sport will not only keep you active but also form bonds that you will cherish in high school and even college.
