As Regan Carmichael, varsity girls’ basketball head coach, prepares her athletes for the upcoming game, she calls for the team to gather for a cherished tradition. Dubbed “Game Day Eve,” the team members race to be the first to make a half-court shot. The victor earns the privilege of drawing from the ‘box of fortune.’ As the winner blindly reaches into the mysterious cardboard box, a series of giggles ensue.

These small rituals, woven into the team’s routine, are more than just fun—they reflect Carmichael’s emphasis on tradition as a way to strengthen bonds and cultivate friendships among players. Recognizing the importance of bonds and communication, she has implemented activities to encourage camaraderie and support among players. Research in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology indicates that athletes who feel connected to their teammates are 20% more likely to report higher satisfaction and improved performance during competitions. 

“When we break practices and games down at the end, we ask, ‘What did you see someone else do well today?’” Carmichael said. “It helps everyone focus on the positive and appreciate each other’s contributions.”

Many student-athletes such as swimmer Amanda Chang ’25 find that team bonding is key to building stronger relationships within the team. Chang explained that the team spends time together during meets in team-organized initiatives like “Patty Squad.”

“Varsity, JV1, and JV2 all get mixed up and then split into three groups, and then we all compete against each other throughout the year,” Chang said. “It helps us build stronger relationships with people outside our usual friend groups.”

These informal gatherings are bolstered by team-wide initiatives designed to build camaraderie and help teammates connect on a more personal level and fosters friendships that carry over into competitions. Research from the Sage Journal indicates that cohesive groups perform approximately 18 percentile points higher than their non-cohesive counterparts. For Chang, the support from teammates during meets also plays a significant role in her performance. 

“Swimming isn’t an individual sport, but seeing people cheer for you on the side really gives a sense of motivation,” Chang said. “A lot of times, people will swim better when they see people cheering for them.”

However, varsity boys’ football coach Brent Becker emphasizes that building these bonds isn’t solely restricted to time during practice. Becker acknowledges the value of creating meaningful opportunities for players to connect beyond the field. For him, these moments—whether through shared activities or team traditions—are foundational to building trust and unity among teammates.

“I think our teammates are really close,” Becker said. “It’s something that we emphasize in our program, and we try to provide a lot of opportunities for them to spend time together and build relationships.”

This emphasis on teamwork often extends into smaller moments of connection. While Carmichael noted how small, intentional practices within the team environment, like reflecting on each other’s accomplishments, can help strengthen bonds, Becker also encourages traditions that help players mark milestones in their athletic journeys. 

“They hang their cleats over the field goal post as a symbolic way of saying that they’re done,” Becker said.

This commitment to creating a sense of community is mirrored by Carmichael, who finds that these connections extend well beyond competition. Carmichael highlighted how inclusivity plays a key role in her basketball team’s dynamic. Players make an effort to connect with teammates of all grade levels, fostering a sense of unity and openness.

“Sometimes it’s tough to kind of intermix those grade levels,” Carmichael said. “But I feel like they’ve really kind of wrapped their arms around each other, and are really trying to make some fun memories outside of basketball.”

This openness is apparent in team traditions, such as shared meals before home games. These dinners, hosted by varsity players’ families, provide another space for players to bond where the coaches are not involved at all, according to Carmichael. The bonds between teammates also extend into moments of support during challenging times, as Carmichael recounted how her players came together to support a teammate whose family member is battling breast cancer.

“We made that family member kind of like an honorary captain for the night and an honorary guest for us,” Carmichael said. “It’s been really wonderful to see her teammates put their arms around her and her family during this really tough time.”

From reflective practices to off-season gatherings and meaningful traditions, Chang emphasized how team bonding efforts highlight the value of creating connections that extend beyond the game. For coaches like Carmichael and Becker, it’s about fostering a culture of trust, empathy, and support that players carry with them long after their final season.