Tradition flows in our blood; this is an especially important characteristic found here at Wabash. I think that I can speak on behalf of Wabash Athletics in general, but each team has their own set of traditions as well. As a senior member of the Wabash Soccer Program, I believe that we have a distinct set of traditions that we follow each year. You may have seen us around campus in the same “gears” or even braving the fierce rapids of Sugar Creek in canoes, which have been important traditions in the past few years. However, the soccer program continues to build on these traditions with team trips to the Children’s Hospital at St. Vincents and a camping trips (coming up this weekend). One of the trips always seems to stick out apart from the rest though; Coach G has dubbed this “our day at the dunes”. 

For those who have no idea what I’m talking about, there is a beach in northern Indiana where our team has gone to spend one day of the preseason for a few years now. Yes you heard correctly… a beach! It’s a really neat place to go with the team since we are able to have lunch while gazing out into the greenish-blue water. After finishing our lunch this year, the team started messing around with a smorgasbord of activities. These included beach soccer, frisbee, lacrosse, hiking, sunbathing and throwing food at the seagulls (or lakegulls?)…

Last but not least is definitely my personal favorite, burying one guy from the team neck-deep in the sand. The past two years, Christian Krenk otherwise known as “The Klank”, has always volunteered. However, this year Josh Pedersen stepped up to the plate. Of course that wasn’t enough, so we all proceeded to sprinkle our leftover chips from lunch all around his body. Not but five seconds later, there were 25 seagulls flying in to survey the situation. Unfortunately, we had to cover Josh’s head with a towel so the birds would come in closer but it was nonetheless a hilarious sight.

The main event of “our day at the dunes” are the skits that the team members put on for our Coaches. Sometimes prepared in advance, we get in groups of 5-6 and do our best to put on skits that crack jokes about our Italian Coach, Assistant Coach, or even our fellow teammates (which is all in good fun of course). Each and every group put on hilarious performances; I remember looking over to see Coach G who was practically falling out of his seat. Nonetheless, every player from the team went away with a smile on his face because they truly are quite funny.

Tradition aside, I believe our annual trip to the dunes also helps build a stronger sense of team camaraderie. If we are able to joke around with each other without having hard feelings afterwards, that says something. Once again I can speak on behalf of every team at Wabash because we care for our teammates and enjoy every fun-filled moment we get to spend together. I’m excited for the upcoming season and determined to “OWN IT” as an upperclassman. The team has a lot of momentum building this preseason, so let’s keep this going and earn each and every victory one step at a time.

Rossi Out.

David Rosborough -10

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