General Information about Item:

• Traditions
• Language: English
• Country of Origin: USA
• Informant: MS
• Date Collected: 11/6

Informant Data:

• MS is a ‘22 from Florida on the Track & Field team. He has been on the team all 4 years and participates in the hammer and weight throw events.

Contextual Data:

• Cultural Context: Sports teams are known to have events where the coaches aren’t present to increase team bonding. Without the coaches present, it can lead to the team feeling more connected as students and athletes.
• Social Context: Speaking in front of a crowd is, for some people, one of the most difficult tasks one can be asked to do. This situation could be amplified by the story being an embarrassing one. 

Item:

• The night before the Ivy League Championship, the Track & Field team gathers together and have the first-time HEPs athletes tell an embarrassing story in front of the entire team. The coaches aren’t present, and everyone tells something pretty personal.

Associated Audio File:

Informant’s Comments:

• This tradition can be difficult for people who are afraid of public speaking, but towards the end everyone is laughing and having a great time. This event truly helped make me feel a part of the team.

Collector’s Comments:

• I have never been afraid of public speaking, but I think having to tell one of my most embarrassing stories in front of a group of people I respect and admire would be difficult. However, it seems that this tradition does incredible things for team spirit, and I’d be curious to see if it works for groups other than sports teams. 

Collector’s Name:

• Jonah Kahl