Mount Vernon has always been a school with a deep passion for sports. Our football and basketball games draw hundreds of fans, filling the stands with cheers and school spirit. Our wrestling team regularly packs the bleachers at their tournaments, showcasing the unwavering support of our community.
But let me ask you this: when was the last time you attended a bowling meet? Or a tennis match? These teams are just as much a part of our school as the more prominent ones. So why aren’t we showing up to support them too?
A common misconception among students and community members is that these so-called “minor” sports are less entertaining. Nothing could be further from the truth. Take tennis, for example—one of the most popular sports worldwide, with over a billion fans. Clearly, there’s something compelling about it! Mount Vernon’s tennis program has been a consistent powerhouse for years, producing players who go on to compete at the collegiate level. These aren’t just casual athletes—they’re top-tier competitors.
As current tennis player Ethan Foley explains, “Tennis is incredibly fun. Throughout the game, the tension builds and becomes really entertaining to watch.” Yet, despite this, our tennis matches often lack the crowds they deserve. Imagine the difference it would make if students and community members showed up to support these talented athletes.
Bowling is another sport that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. If you’ve ever watched bowling on TV, you know the intense pressure each player faces. Imagine rolling a 14-pound ball 60 feet with pinpoint accuracy to earn a strike. The stakes are high, and the emotions in the audience rise and fall with every frame.
Junior bowler Griffin Beach sums it up perfectly: “Bowling is a really good competition. It’s been fun to compete over the past three years.” He adds, “It’d be great to see people coming to bowling matches.” If our athletes find the sport this exciting, why wouldn’t we want to share in their experience by cheering them on?
Mount Vernon is, and always has been, a sports school. That means showing up for all our teams—not just the ones with the loudest crowds. By supporting these underappreciated sports, we elevate school spirit and give more of our athletes the recognition they’ve worked hard to earn.
So let’s make it a point to attend not just the football games, but the tennis matches, the bowling meets, and beyond. Together, we can ensure that every athlete at Mount Vernon feels valued and supported.
