The singing of a school’s alma mater is a nostalgic and unifying experience. Early in my tenure at SJA, one of our assistant coaches who is a proud alum came to me with a suggestion. We should sing our alma mater after the games like our Service Academies do. Such songs serve as a tribute to the institution, evoking nostalgia and pride while reinforcing shared values and experiences that connect generations. Since then, after every successful outcome, our players and coaches gather, face our fans, and sing our alma mater. All current students and fans in attendance join in from the bleachers and sideline uniting one and all in our collective success.
After our triumph in the 119th playing of “The Game” this past weekend making it 10 wins in a row, our cheer team rushed the field to join us while hundreds of alumni sang along from our sideline truly unifying our campus community. The next day I received an email from one generous alumna stating, “You have restored in me the pride I used to feel when I wore green and white!!!”
The lyrics of our alma mater highlight the values and traditions that make St Johnsbury Academy special. The first line is my favorite. “Our strong band can ne’er be broken formed at St. J. A.”
This cherished song goes beyond mere words and melody; it’s a cultural artifact that helps shape the school’s ethos. By singing the alma mater, members of the St. Johnsbury Academy community reaffirm their commitment to the ideals and aspirations that define the school, fostering a sense of pride and unity that extends far beyond game or graduation day.
Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!
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