The positives to a healthy rivalry

If you have ever attended any sporting event in which Coconino High School and Flagstaff High School face off, you feel the rivalry. You can be completely apathetic toward sports programs in general and still get really into a game. The energy that is present within any rivalry is infectious. You catch it like the flu, and while you may recover, you’ll most likely catch it again.

Now you may be thinking, “I do not support an environment in which an overly competitive attitude is bred.” I’m here to tell you why that perspective can be just as negative as an intense rivalry in which schools become violent and hating toward one another or no rivalry at all.

Just recently, in the week leading up to the rivalry game between two Tennessee high schools, a simple rivalry took a turn for the worse. Tullahoma High, home of the Wildcats, found a bobcat shot and hung from their goalpost just days before their rivalry game against Coffee County High School. Not coincidentally, the main suspects are students from Coffee County High School.

This is a prime example of rivalry gone sour. I know some people like to think that the rivalry between the two Flagstaff schools is intense, but sometimes we need a little perspective.

Healthy rivalry creates an environment in which two schools can go head to head, but when all is said and done, can part ways as friends. Hurtful hazing and pranking are simply not welcome nor encouraged in this rivalry, and that’s what makes the rivalry so important and good for the community. When those teams finish the game, friendships remain.

Coconino and Flagstaff just recently sold the same t-shirts supporting the fight against breast cancer. This act of camaraderie ended on a high note as the proceeds from the sale went to breast cancer patients and research.

Unity is valued in this relationship; ideals of community and supporting one another are of great importance to both schools and their supporters.

Still not convinced? Rivalry is fun. Imagine not getting to attend at least one game where both sides of the stands are packed. And who doesn’t enjoy the ego boost when you know you have done something better than someone else?

The rivalry between CHS and FHS is most commonly met with class and respect on both sides, and is supported throughout the Flagstaff community. If I haven’t convinced you, come to a game yourself.

If you’re not rooting for one team over the other by the end of the game, even at least a little bit, I’ll start supporting the green and white.

That being said, bragging rights due to the recent CHS win will be in effect through the next year. It’ll be hard to get me to wear green and white anytime soon, because right now, the red and black is back.