Evanston Township High School boasts an impressive 31 different sports, all competing at various levels against other schools. I am a junior and I have played on the girls soccer team here at ETHS since I was a freshman. As an athlete, I’ve come to appreciate the unique blend of camaraderie, competition and tradition that defines our varsity sports programs. While I may share stronger connections with certain teams, the unity among all athletes is undeniable. I definitely feel connected to other teams despite only being on the girls soccer team.
Wearing the school’s signature orange and blue is more than just wearing a uniform – it’s a symbol of pride and dedication to representing Evanston on and off the field.
Here are a few ways ETHS is special in terms of our athletics.
Camaraderie
“We’re all one goal, one school, one name across our chests,” said senior baseball player Clay Lemmon.
At Evanston, athletes engage in much more than just a sport. Evanston’s community is large, branching out to a unique mix of people. Because of this, all athletes have to earn and work for their spot, as our diverse community sets us apart from other schools. No matter the sport, everyone is united by the honor athletes hold for their town.
“Coming from Evanston, we play with a sense of pride. We’re not like other schools…that come from a lot of money. We play really gritty and take stuff to the chin,” said senior lacrosse player Omar Pryor.
Competition
Competing with rivals such as New Trier and Loyola is not enough competition for sports here at Evanston. Within the school, friendly (and not so-friendly-competition) sweeps throughout the varsity programs. All teams want the best winning record, the most fans cheering their sport on, and the most appreciation from teachers, classmates and social media.
In particular, teams that are in the same season are typically more competitive with each other.
Football and boys soccer compete in the same season and on the same field, so the teams are naturally close with each other. Historically, football has been the most popular sport to support, as games serve as a social event for a lot of students at ETHS; but the Evanston football squad has struggled the past years with losing records, while the boys soccer program has consistently ranked high in the state in the past decade.
“We do get competitive with other guys, get in each other’s head about the games coming, and have fun talking smack,” said boys soccer captain Orlando Tobin.
Despite not having the best record in the school, the football team feels and appreciates the support the student body gives them during all their home games.
“Even though we’ve had a rough go the past couple of years, everyone still comes out and supports us. It’s a really good place for the community and the school to bring everyone together,” said senior football player Colin Livatino.
Support has grown for the soccer team over the course of the last few years, as the team has consistently been atop the CSL. Still, there is a little bit of discontent in their hearts as their impressive performances aren’t even half as supported as the football team’s home games.
“Our record says a lot as a team and if you want to go to a game and watch a team win, we can almost guarantee that,” said Tobin.
Spring sports also hold similar rivalries to one another, as each team hopes to be the most successful sport of that season. The boys and girls lacrosse teams are easily compared throughout the season by spectators and players themselves.
“People on both teams compare stats, game performance and placement within the state. But in the end, I honestly think this competition turns out to be a better thing, because we push each other,” said senior girls lacrosse player Norah Wolf.
In the end, these rivalries drive each team to push harder and perform better. While some may still fight for the recognition they deserve, the competition between sports at Evanston only makes everyone stronger. Whether on the field or in the stands, it’s this drive that keeps the school’s athletic culture alive and competitive.
Support and Tradition
At Evanston, sports enjoy supporting each other; whether it’s a social event or to cheer on your friends, student-athletes show up. The support at Evanston is rooted in the desire to succeed as a school. As a player on the girls soccer team, repping an Evanston jersey feels even better when the men’s team is strong. The athletes at Evanston all benefit from the achievements made by other teams within the school, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I’m happy to share the gym with all the other Evanston sports as long as everyone’s getting better and working hard,” said sophomore boys basketball player Vito Rocca.
Coming out to support other teams is easy once you have formed a bond with them. To help form these bonds, Evanston sports have a common tradition of swapping jerseys with other teams in the same season. This tradition is widespread and always led by the athletes themselves; these traditions are highly beneficial in enhancing encouragement and recognition for the rest of the season for all sports.
“Jersey swap is a great way to meet other people that are also participating in sports, and it’s a fun tradition. In the past, we swap with baseball and they come out to support us so we do the same,” said senior soccer player Maddy Varela.
As a soccer player, my performance is enhanced knowing I have support from other athletes like the baseball team. Being supported also makes me want to do the same for other sports. Jersey swap creates a desire to support the team and players they just spent the day repping in school. One example from a jersey swap this past fall was field hockey and boys soccer which was effective in gaining more publicity and support from fans for both sports.
“After swapping with field hockey we had a dual team bonding hangout which allowed us to get to know each other better,” Tobin said.
This tradition allows the athletes at Evanston to come together and learn more about each other. Sports start supporting other sports like one supports their friends. Also, when students see baseball players wearing girls soccer jerseys, for example, the energy for the sports game becomes palpable in the hallways.
Competition will never go away in sports, but here at Evanston, rivalry only sparks greater support. All athletes play for Evanston and have respect for their love of competing for their school. By supporting one another, athletes help elevate each other’s efforts, creating an environment where success is shared and celebrated across all sports.
In Summary
At Evanston, the bond between athletes goes beyond competition. The support I feel and give as an athlete during jersey swap and cheering on other sports creates a bond that strengthens the whole community while also making me feel appreciated as an athlete. While competition pushes me and all other players to excel, it’s the shared pride in representing Evanston that sets this athletic culture apart.
Ultimately, it’s not just about wins or losses, but about building a culture where every team’s success feels like a victory for the entire school. The camaraderie at ETHS ensures that every athlete is part of something bigger, making being an Evanston athlete truly special.
