At Staples, students on sports teams belong to a second family. Between hours of practicing each afternoon, long bus rides to away games, and special activities, the athletes become very close to their teammates. One special way in which the teams come together is through team traditions that are passed along year after year. Between boys soccer cutting one another’s hair, all teams having pasta dinners together, and girls soccer singing to each other on the bus, all of these teams find a way to become close and have fun, both on and off the field.

Girls Soccer: pre-game superstitions, a moment of silence, special outfits

The girls soccer team likes to consider themselves one of the most superstitious teams in the school. “Everything down to what we wear, when we wear it, what song we listen to, where we sit on the bus, who we say good luck to, what time we go to sleep and what we eat” is planned, Lake said.

This year, Lake and fellow captain Jessie Ambrose ’12, created a new superstitious tradition. Before each game, the team is given an inspirational quote from Nicole Ross, their coach. After cheering Staples, the starters go onto the field and have a moment of silence before the game starts.

During this moment, “the team can think to themselves on what they are going to do during the game, and it is a time where we focus and mentally prepare for the game” Lake said.

Off the field, “the most fun of our traditions is dressing up for school. Every year we have dressed up as nerds and in all black,” Lake said. She explained that dressing up boosts promote school spirit and team unity during the school day.

As a whole program, the girl’s soccer teams have a pasta dinner at the start of the season. “This gives the whole program of being one unit instead of individual teams,” Lake said.

Boys’ Soccer: Mohawks, tournaments, and number 15

By the time the postseason rolls around, the boy’s soccer players can be easily identified by their hair. For the past few years, many of the players on the team have gotten Mohawks for the end of the season and have created a tradition out of it.

“Mohawks do a few things for us: they can be intimidating for the other team to look at, they create a sense of team unity, especially in the process of shaving everyone’s head, and they put a little bit more pressure on us to succeed,” said captain James Hickok ‘13.

Hickok also explained that the Mohawks create intensity within the team and are a lot of fun; especially when they don’t turn out too well and the boys find it very funny.

Before the season even begins, the soccer program has a traditional tournament, the Watermelon Cup, which they participate in with players from all over Fairfield County. “The Watermelon Cup brings together the team for the first time on the soccer field before the season, and also connects us with a lot of alumni,” Hickok said.

In more recent years, a tradition has been created of passing on jersey No. 15. “This honors the much-loved Preston Hirten, a player on the 2006 team,” Hickok said. Hirten passed away in 2007 and to remember him, the graduating senior who has No. 15 passes it along to a member on the next year’s team. This year Hickok has the honor of sporting No. 15.

Baseball: buddy bags, sleepovers, pre-meet chant

While following the main superstitions of baseball, the Staples team adds its own spin by having self-acclaimed swag.

According to Jimmy Kopack ’12, swag is when the players try to look as “dirty and filthy as possible.” The players wear sweatbands, arm sleeves, eye black, baggy pants, and they never wash their hats. It is also necessary that everyone has at least one accessory per arm to accomplish swag.

Not only is this fun for the team but also it allows creativity. “It brings the team together because it creates a sort of competition between players. Different colors and combinations can be made,” Kopack said.

In addition, the baseball team is extremely superstitious. The dugout must be set up with the outfielders and infielders gloves together. The boys also may never warm up with their jerseys because it is considered bad luck. Kopack also said that there is no excuse for stepping on the foul line. And, a no-hitter or perfect game can be jinxed if it is announced out loud.

Girls’ Tennis: Picking crinkled pieces of paper from a bowl, reading a teammates name, creating treat bags for each game, guessing who could possibly have your name. Every year, the girl’s tennis team tries to figure out who their “buddy” is- who is making them snacks?

One tradition that the team holds is creating these buddy bags for a member of the team and keeping them a secret. “It’s always a lot of fun because people try to guess and usually they’re wrong,” said Nicole Marcante ’12.

The team also comes together during sleepovers during the season and in their team cheer before each match.

The sleepovers are a great bonding experience, Marcante said. “We all get together and watch a movie or just eat food and talk. We get to know each other a little bit more.”

A favorite tradition of the team though is the chant they do before every match. Marcante described that they get in a group huddle, cross their right foot over the left and scream as loud as they can.  They believe that this brings luck for the game.

“I think it really pumps up the team, especially before an important match,” Marcante said.