To a non-American, the culture around the school mascot, the school colors, the spirit wear, sports teams and cheerleaders is fascinating.
Here, kids grow up with it from kindergarten and it follows all the way through college and, more often than not, they never let go of “their” team. In Europe, for example, all of that is non-existent (believe it or not) and sports are rarely connected with schools or colleges.
Living very close to a high school football field gives my whole family large doses of all of this fine American culture. The week of band practice in August can be tough on our nerves, but other than that, we truly enjoy it. We know when “our” team scores—who in the neighborhood can miss the Wildcat roar? My kids adjusted to all of this in no time after our transatlantic move. The first season we lived here, they would stop their outdoor play at the beginning of every high school match and stand with their hands on their hearts for the entire national anthem. Luckily, that has worn off after a couple of years.
Homecoming is another phenomenon that’s part of all of this and that takes some time to grasp for a foreigner. According to Wikipedia, “Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back former residents and alumni of an institution.” A parade through town, a football game at home and a dinner ball are often the main events during homecoming weekend. In Libertyville, the highschoolers also help with painting most store windows downtown with scenes from their sports, theater group, etc, in orange and black before this special autumn weekend.
Together with all of this goes the “spirit wear,” that is T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, caps, hats, scarves and sport bags in the school colors and with logo or mascot to pinpoint a specific school. Wristbands, key chains, earrings, hair bows, tea mugs and much more are also standard stuff and don’t forget fleece blankets, seat cushions, earmuffs and more that are needed to enjoy the late fall football games. Often parent’s organizations run the school store as a means to bring in money to support the team.
All the Wildcat’s roars and the paw prints on my kids school papers from their buddy the Bulldog has inspired the funflector® paw print design. With so many Bulldogs, Lions, Tigers, Bears, Wildcats, Cougars, Huskies. Wolverines, Badgers, Jaguars, Wolves and Panthers (did we miss anyone?) out and about this time of year with all sorts of team colors we decided we should have paws in all sorts of colors as well. We have launched a good handful of color combinations and there will be more. If you don’t find your team colors, just let us know!
Why not be safer leaving school, leaving the game or anytime you are out after dark and show your school spiritat the same time? And don’t forget to be proud of your North American school spirit culture!
Elisabeth