General Information
- Language: English
- Tradition
- Country of Origin: USA
- Infromant: EL
- Date Collected: 10/1/2021
Informant Data
- The informant has been doing cross country since she was in middle school. She became the cross country captain during her sophomore year till senior year. As of right now she has no idea what she wants to major in but she does enjoy art a lot.
Contextual Data
- Cultural context: EL states that the context behind the tradition is to bring members of the track and field team closer together. Especially during the final meet called the HEPs where the entire team has dinner together and a chant right after, emphasizing team bonding and increasing morale.
Item
- The item collected is a tradition that is done by the entire team right before their final meet which is called HEP’s. Before the meet members of the track team assemble at foco and grab food together. Once they’re all done they all rally and start chanting hyping up the members getting ready for the most important meet in the season
Informants Comments
- “This bonding experience is what helps the track team be united. Our passion for the sport and our members trying to make each other feel at home helps keep the morale up”
Collectors Comments
- I can agree with the informant that having team bonding experiences helps the players get comfortable with each other. I’ve been in soccer teams where there has been no bonding experiences and it doesn’t work because the players are comfortable with each other, which ruins the chemistry of the team.
Collectors Name
General Information
- Language: English
- Tradition
- Country of Origin: USA
- Infromant: JF
- Date Collected: 10/16/2021
Informants Data
- Unlike the traditional running or jumps in track the informant was recruited for the throwing events which consists of javelin throws, shot put, the hammer, and the discus. The informant plans to major in Econ and philosophy. During HS he used to be part of the varsity football team for 2 years and did track for 3 years.
Contextual Data
- Cultural context: JF states that the most dedicated members of the track and field team have their own traditions that help them either focus before an event or help them get mentally prepared.
Item
- Before each throw the informant said he ties his shoes over and over again. Since he needs his shoes really tight before he goes in circles trying to throw the put as far as possible he needs to make sure nothing is wrong with his shoe or else it’ll mess up his routine.
Informants Comments
- “Tying my shoes has been a tradition that I and others in many different sports do in order to make sure we’re not slipping”
Collectors Comments
- As I’ve previously mentioned on another post, tying the shoes is something that I used to do when I played soccer. I would always do it to alleviate any nervousness I had and to make sure they wouldn’t untie mid-game.
Collectors Name
General Information
- Language
- Tradition
- Country of Origin: USA
- Infromant: JC
- Date Collected: 11/17/2021
Informants Data
- The informant started running when they were in Middle school. She now does various Track activities on campus like hurdles and 4x400m relay races. She plans to major in Engineering and minor in studio art.
Contextual Data
- Cultural context: Since JC does relay racing the passing of the baton is one of the most important moments during a relay race. If the baton isn’t passed correctly and swiftly then you lose invaluable time that’ll cost you the race.
Item
- The item collected is a superstition where if you drop the baton before practice it is considered bad luck and it is a sign that you’ll drop the baton during the race. In order to undo this curse JC said that doing some push ups will help.
Informants Comments
- “Track is all about team bonding experience”
Collectors Comments
- I can relate to this superstition, before a soccer game if your strikers were missing every shot then that’s a sign that they won’t have a great game.
Collectors Name
General Information
- Language
- Tradition
- Country of Origin: USA
- Infromant: EH
- Date Collected: 10/29/2021
Informant Data
- Informant started running when he was in 6th grade. He always did track to try and get stronger and faster. He likes to compete in a lot of events and considers himself a jack of all trades. Hence, why he now competes in pole vaulting and long jump at Dartmouth.
Contextual Data
- Cultural context: Before when EH was in HS, track was mostly used for football players to get faster and explosive. However at Dartmouth the people in the track team are all dedicated to that one sport, which makes the team’s morale stronger since they care for the sport and each other.
Item
- The item collected is a series of jumps that EH performs before he starts. EH jumps and rotates his arms around 3-4 times. This tradition is common amongst jumpers in order to relieve any last minute nervousness and to get the jumper ready.
Informants Comments
- “The main purpose of the track team is a place to have fun and where they can hangout”
Collectors Comments
- I’ve never done track or field but I did play soccer from MS-HS and there are certain traditions that players do right before a game to alleviate any nervousness. I would either tie my shoes over and over again, or do high jumps right before the whistle blew.
Collectors Name
