Every year students await the week leading up to the anticipated Mudsock Football game. Some look forward to the pregame preparation of picking the full blue outfit and painting themselves in royal blue. Others can’t wait to take in the energy from the sea of blue during the game. One thing is for certain, and that is Mudsock always heightens our school spirit. Mudsock is the rivalry between HSE and Fishers, and we often express this rivalry through our sports teams. However, for most athletes it is much more than a fun competition.
“Mudsock to me is more than a game or a rivalry,” senior Blue Crew Executive and soccer player Addison Ash said. “Mudsock is a tradition, and to be able to be an athlete and represent your school while participating in Mudsock is always an honor. It is an opportunity to fight for your school and represent your school at the highest level.”
Similar to the players and fans, coaches feed off the energy exerted from Mudsock. To many of them, Mudsock is their greatest opportunity in coaching.
“[Mudsock] gives a chance to watch a great, close-knit community come out one night to watch friends battle on the field,” football coach Michael Kelly said. “I love that our players know [Fishers] players so well and they have fun competing against each other and finish with conversation about the good ole days. Our players love each other and it’s always a very competitive game.”
Mudsock plays an important role in driving competitive spirit and camaraderie in clubs as well.
“It strikes a stronger pride within our chapter,” FFA President and senior Ellie Taylor said. “Having Mudsock pushes our members to truly take part in our chapter and to showcase the greatness of HSE FFA. I have seen members carry that into other aspects of the school activities as well, which is cool to experience how it can drive pride in our school overall and not just FFA.”
For the common student body, Mudsock still holds true as an integral part of school life and Royal pride.
“I do think Mudsock events are important to attend because it means showing out for your school and fellow peers in their sport,” junior, Mason Mcdonald, said, “I also think like other games or events around school it’s important to get involved and Mudsock is one of the biggest chances to show support for the school.”
With the establishment of Mudsock as a contributor to school spirit, the significance of said spirit comes to question.
“School spirit is important because it gives you a chance to show other schools what your school means to you,” Ash said. “School spirit shows that you care for the people at your school and that you represent something bigger than yourself when you have school spirit.”
Mudsock means a lot to coaches, players and students alike. The best way to not only support your school, but your peers who give their all to compete and show out for their school is to become a supporter yourself, and it is sure to be a time to remember.
When asked about the atmosphere around mudsock, Athletic Director, Jim Self said, “I cannot explain it, you’ve got to go yourself.”
