Fans begin walking out to the field and setting up their park chairs, then sit with friends and watch as their team’s players zip up and down the field, juking defenders and trying their best to score. Their feet slam the ground as they stand, roaring in cheer as their friend slips a shot past the keeper, and their moods change when their team gets scored on. From the sidelines, players sit and cheer for their teammates as they play while wishing they were on the field with their friends.
The SCH boys lacrosse team has been on an extraordinary run this year, beating out Hill Academy from Canada, which is ranked #11 internationally. Currently, they hold a record of 7 wins and 5 losses. They’ve also been playing through lots of sickness and injuries and have done a good job battling adversity on and off the field.
Senior Ken Vaughan, over his four years on the SCH Lacrosse team, has experienced all of its ups and downs, seen all the injuries and sicknesses, and bore witness to and helped the team’s success. When he was an underclassman, he frequently sat on the sidelines waiting for his opportunity to shine. He was always a competitive person, and sitting on the sidelines was a little disappointing to him, but he knew the importance of supporting his team and always brought his energy to cheer.
“It’s good to cheer for your teammates because that’ll only make the team and yourself better as a player and also as a man,” said Vaughan. However, while it didn’t seem like he could gain much from sitting on the side, he used his time on the sidelines as an opportunity to improve his game sense and improve his understanding of how his team plays and how he could improve.
Since becoming an upperclassman, he’s taken on the mentor role, as well as put his practice to work, playing against top-ranked teams in one of the hardest divisions in the nation. However, Ken never would’ve taken a role such as this if it weren’t for is family’s support during matches.
Support for the players extends beyond the field. The families at home, talking to their sons about how the game went, or even just showing up to cheer on the team. This family only grows during game time as friends and family come out to watch and support. Vaughan’s experience is exemplary of this aspect of the team. “I think my mom and dad are both very supportive. I mean, they try to go to as many games as possible. Usually, if my dad’s not there, even if he is there, and we’re driving separately, we’ll hop on a call and talk about what I did well, what I didn’t do well, just like talk so I can vent.”
Boys’ lacrosse means more to the players than just a group of people playing around; it means a second family for most. This sense of family allowed Ken and many other team members to just watch the “older brothers” play. “We’re all close on the team. When I was an underclassman, I stayed on the bench, although I didn’t like it as much; it definitely helped me improve.” Said Ken.
As the game continues, the family-like bond shines as the players bolt their way through the field and past the defense. Teammates cheer from the sidelines while callouts get shouted to other players, and families shout praise and stomp their feet when the team does well. The on-field support strengthens this team, and the off-field support strengthens the players. Our lacrosse team is built on the support of everyone, which allows the team to succeed in ways that wouldn’t be possible.
