Passion for sports can run in families who attend games together. Whether they bond over their favorite player scoring, adorning jerseys or their team winning the game, being in a sports-loving family can influence students to pursue their interest in playing. Inspiration from older siblings being athletes, parental encouragement and general family enjoyment of a sport can also motivate some to join athletics.
Competitive and sideline cheerleader junior Corey Fuller watched his sister’s enthusiasm for cheerleading growing up, which motivated him to have his own involvement in the SCHS cheer squad.
“I was always at my sister’s practices – because she started cheering very young as well – and see her flip and stunt. I always wanted to do that. I started when I was four years old,” Fuller said. “I would say my whole family is very much involved in it. Our whole lives are all around cheer just because we all love the sport. We’ve all coached cheer teams, and we’ve all been on a cheer team.”
Similar to Fuller, baseball player senior Jaxton Chao explained that he was inspired to play baseball by following his older brother.
“It’s more of my brother that’s the big baseball fan. That’s more my brother that made me like baseball and play just for the fun of it,” Chao said.
Soccer player sophomore Juan Ruiz, however, has not followed a sibling into a sport but, rather, shares his family’s enjoyment for soccer.
“The influence for me to play was my dad,” Ruiz said. “I always liked to play with a ball, so when I grew up, I played in clubs. I decided that I wanna become a professional soccer player.”
Not every athlete has their family invested in the sport they play, but the influence and support any of them have can help them keep their motivation alive. Basketball player freshman Thea Ruybal shared how her family, regardless of whichever sport she decides to play for a season, will be there to support and encourage her.
“My family is very passionate about my sport that I am currently playing. No matter what sport I am in, they are always passionate and supportive,” Ruybal said. “I also played flag football, which I enjoyed a lot as well. My dad was very proud that I was in flag football because he enjoys the sport a lot and was excited to see that he passed down that interest.”
Family inspiration can be more than signing up young ones to play little league or afterschool sports. It can also include spreading the love for their sports teams by going to watch live games together.
English teacher Courtney Hayes shares her family’s enjoyment of watching the San Francisco 49ers football team, which has run in her family for generations.
“I grew up as a football fan,” Hayes said. “My dad is a huge Niners fan. His dad has had season tickets all the way back to Kezar Stadium. Football is non-negotiable in my family.”