What does T-hawk spirit mean to you?

Coach Melissa Fustino: “To me it means hard work, working together for a common goal, and it’s just a way to bring people together here at the school: players, teams, everyone.”

Junior Emma Alcock: “I think it promotes a sense of camaraderie and really just brings everyone together.”

Senior Matas Buivydas: “It’s like a culture, being with people and enjoying every day and doing it for a purpose.”

Secretary Susan Baburins: “For me, it’s nice to see how all the kids who come through this office are really involved in their sport and understand they are a part of something really special.”

Senior Mackenzie Smith: “To me, it’s how you meet friends and grow as a person, and certainly has shaped my entire Algonquin experience.”

Former coaches voice their appreciation for Algonquin sports

John Frederick: English teacher & former soccer coach

What do you think sports mean to the Algonquin community?
“I coached soccer here from 1999 to 2008 and I was a student athlete here, so that experience I think comes into play when I think about what sports means to Algonquin.

“From a soccer perspective, I took a lot of pride in the teams I was on, and teams I coached also took a lot of pride in being a part of Algonquin sports.

“When I was coach I tried to build an identity with our soccer players as a group, and I think you can point to simple things such as the bleaching of the hair, but I think all the programs have their own special identity.”

What is your favorite sports memory?

“As a coach when I was here, obviously I don’t want to put too much emphasis on winning, but the bus rides home from state championship games were very rewarding.

“There were three very different bus rides after each state championship. We tied then won one, and another we won outright, and one we lost. Losing isn’t the same feeling as winning, but it was just as rewarding because all of us were picking each other up afterwards. It was interesting to watch different players tell each other it wasn’t any one person’s fault; we win as a team and we lose as a team. You watch a kid grow from his freshman year from his senior year, and that is awfully rewarding.”

Amelia Braun: history teacher & former gymnastics coach

What do you think sports mean to the Algonquin Community?

“Athletics plays a large role in the Algonquin Community. It’s a venue in which we can express our school pride and enhance our camaraderie.

“There is a special feeling when competing, knowing you are representing your school and achieving something as a team. I was a gymnast in high school, and I have to say that I never loved my sport more than when I was a member of the Algonquin gymnastics team, experiencing the support of my teammates, and proudly wearing maroon and gold.”

What is your favorite sports memory?

“When I was a student, one of my favorite sports memories was going to watch our baseball team in the State Championship at Fenway Park. We were able to sit super close to the field and cheer on our team.

“As an Algonquin coach, my favorite sports memory was coaching back-to-back State Champion gymnastics teams in 2011 and 2012. I was proud to help my teams secure the championships for the school, especially as a female team.”

How have sports changed throughout your time here?

“There are more sports being offered, allowing for more opportunities for students to participate in Algonquin athletics.”