What Sports Mean to High School Athletes: Tollgate High School

Living in Warwick, Rhode Island, high school sports are huge for these kids. Students of Tollgate HS had to fight to even get the funds to have high school sports. These kids almost had the sports that they love taken away from them but fought and won. Tollgate and Pilgrim high school both returned to their sports on time.

I was able to talk to star varsity hockey player and lacrosse goalie Jake Sock. He is looking to lead Tollgate to a D3 title this spring and contend on the ice. When asked what high school sports mean to him, he replied, "High school sports mean more than just a game. No matter what sport you play, it comes with so much more than just the competition. When I first started playing sports in high school all I thought was that it was just more competitive, but I was wrong. What I’ve realized is that it comes with abounding with so many different guys that you meet through games and practices. And brings so many new friendships along the way. It gives you something to work for at the beginning of every day. The energy in the school on game day is just another aspect of how the school comes together as one and creates a bond between the guys on the team or even the spectators talking about the game and getting excited about it. Playing sports in high school has taught me many more skills than just sport. It had taught me a dedication to my team and has given me motivation. So to me, it’s more than a game it’s something that has tremendously impacted my life for the good."

I was also able to talk to Erica Armstrong member of the Tollgate Field Hockey team. When asked what high school sports mean to her she replied with "The school comes together as one and creates a bond between the guys on the team or even the spectators talking about the game and getting excited about it. Playing sports in high school has taught me many more skills than just sport. It had taught me a dedication to my team and has given me motivation. So to me, it’s more than a game it’s something that has tremendously impacted my life for the good."