DePaul Prep’s annual Staff vs. Student basketball game is a new tradition that brings the school community together for a fun event during the girls basketball season. This friendly competition has become a highly anticipated part of the winter sports season. As the staff members and students team up and play against one another to show off their basketball skills and build up school spirit.
As the gym fills up with excitement, the court turns into a stage for friendly rivalry and hilarious entertainment. For the students it’s an opportunity to show off their athletic abilities while also teaching the staff a few things about some more modern basketball moves. Whereas, on the other hand, the staff members are ready to show that experience, strategy, and teamwork and hold a strong advantage. Whether it’s a fast breakthrough to the hoop or a well executed defensive play, the event is sure to bring highlights that will have the whole school talking.
Caleign O’Neil, a learning specialist at DePaul Prep shares her important role as the staff coach. O’Neil shares the team’s game day rituals and how they stand strong playing against the students.
“As the staff coach, I have to make sure the team is locked in. We huddle, make a game plan, and execute, the team benefits from visuals, so we draw up our game plan on a whiteboard and dial in. This year, the motto was ‘Fast brakes only. Slow breaks for Mr. Olszewski.’ We also MUST incorporate stretches to avoid injury. We’re a great team and have a lot of fun together. Lots of laughs always!” O’Neil said.
It is true that this tradition brings out the laughter within the players on the court and the crowd. The impact of the second year of this tradition makes a positive mark on the student and teacher relationships. Events like this get all students and staff involved in an enthusiastic event while also keeping school spirit alive.
“The staff vs. student basketball game is a great way to strengthen relationships between students and teachers, fostering teamwork, mutual respect, and a sense of community beyond the classroom. It’s good for students and teachers to see each other have fun,” O’Neill says.
The staff vs. student game goes beyond just a fun rivalry. The game plays a crucial role in keeping school spirit and unity alive. As students and staff come to cheer on their teams, they create lasting memories that strengthen bonds throughout the whole school. The energy is contagious with everyone feeling a sense of pride in belonging. Funny memories that keep the traditions special and build a positive and supportive atmosphere that extends far beyond the game.
“My favorite memory from the game was the staff win, for the second year in a row. Also watching Coach Johnny Bordes get fired up about all the missed layups by his teammates was classic,” O’Neill says.
Senior Vice President Oonagh Moriarty shares how the culture of the students team was great.
“The energy in the gym before the game was awesome. Not everyone on the students side were close friends but we were all huddling up and collaborating on plays. Even though we didn’t have the best performance, the bench was riled up and the team had a competitive spirit up until the final buzzer,” Moriarty says.
“In the spring a rebranded Blue Crew will be released to the student body and I hope students will take advantage of it. From my perspective, you are only in highschool once and no one is too cool to be involved in school spirit. We are kids and we are only going to have opportunities like this for so long, if you embrace your highschool experiences you will look back on it with joy,” Moriarty said.
