WOODBURY — Today in all levels of sports, we see athletes celebrate in their own unique ways, but a common problem with these celebrations is the repercussions.
Athletes are getting technical fouls, flags, fines, and suspensions because they used an inappropriate celebration. With that said, what is an acceptable celebration and should athletes be allowed to celebrate?
For some Nonnewaug athletes they think celebrations are a positive thing and an exciting way to personalize their game. Matthew Shupenis, a Nonnewaug senior and three-sport athlete, feels that celebrations should be allowed.
“It shows my emotion and passion for the game, which raises the energy in the whole gym not only with my teammates but with the fans,” Shupenis said. “My personal favorite celebration for basketball is the ‘baby [in the cradle]’ or ‘too small,’ and I’ve never got a technical. I think celebrations cross the line when you start touching people on the other team or do things that could be considered threatening.”
While many may think celebrations are an individual thing the Nonnewaug, NHS’ volleyball team members all celebrate as one.
“In volleyball, whenever we get a good serve, we all yell, ‘Ace’, or when we get a kill, we drop to the ground and slam the floor,” said junior Lana Zupnick, who had a starting role on this past season’s team. “These celebrations are a good way to have fun with the game and build chemistry on our team by supporting each other. I definitely think celebrations are a good part of the game and a way to have fun, it hypes everyone up which makes us play better.”
Celebrations can show your love for the sport and support for your teammates.
In an article edited by Bradley Busch of InnerDrive.co.uk, a site dedicated to exploring the psychology of sports, it discusses how celebrations raise energy levels of both players and fans, which is scientifically proven to raise effort levels of those on the field or court and distract performers from fatigue.
Nonnewaug junior Derek Chung understands the benefits of these celebrations and the boost it provides.
“I definitely think athletes should be allowed to do celebrations,” said Chung. “When it’s done right, everyone gets hype on our team and our fans in the stands which gives the guys on our team more of a motivation.”
Even when Chung plays football, basketball, and baseball, he does have a favorite one to celebrate in.
“My favorite celebrations are in football,” Chung said. “Most of the time the celebrations are with teammates and a lot of us get inspiration from our favorite pro athletes that we look up to, so it’s also cool to recreate that in our own games.”
Celebrations aren’t just limited to high school sports; in fact, in college and professional sports, fans will often see even more celebrations.
“It’s no-brainer athletes should be able to do celebrations,” says Nonnewaug 2024 graduate Ben Roden, a past captain of both Nonnewaug football and basketball. “It shows their passion and love for their sport.”
Although Roden loves celebrating plays, he feels that they should not be overused.
“You should only be celebrating big plays, not just common plays that happen all the time because that makes it less special in a way,” Roden adds. “Now that I’m in college playing [at the University of Rhode Island], there’s a lot more celebrations and chirping in practices and games than you would see in high school. Personally, I’m going to keep my celebrations until when I score in a game.”
