A22 the falconer
sports
january 24, 2023
TPHS’ athletic rivalries define school culture Eric Lee
STAFF WRITER
The stands of the Olive Garden are filled to the brim with a sea of students cheering loudly, each side dressed in their respective colors of black or white in support of their teams. The sound of shoes fervently squeaking against the waxed wooden floor is almost inaudible over the roar of the crowd; no less than the environment expected of a rivalry basketball game between TPHS and La Costa Canyon High School. A passionate battle of skills and tenacity rages before the eyes of spectators. On the court below, player clashes against player as the pressure to triumph motivates them to give 110% of their effort. Whether it be football, tennis, swimming or any other sport, there is no denying that competitive spirit is a factor in the success of any athletic team. At TPHS, the school’s competitive spirit, combined with its collection of outstanding athletes, has fueled these intense rivalries with other schools. According to Principal Robert Coppo, TPHS’ greatest rivals in most sports are LCC, Cathedral Catholic High School and Poway High School. When Coppo attended TPHS in the ‘80s, Poway was TPHS’ greatest sports competition. “Back then it was just Torrey and Poway, those were the only two schools,” Coppo said. As more schools were established throughout North County in the late
1980s and 1990s, TPHS added to its list of rivals. After its founding in 1996, LCC soon began to challenge TPHS on the athletic stage. Robby Collins, head coach of the TPHS varsity football team, noted that LCC was not a rival in football until 2004 when LCC beat TPHS for the first time. An annual tradition would then originate in 2005 between TPHS and LCC dubbed “The Beach Bowl,” in which the winner of the football game would get a surfboard as a trophy. Although CCHS was founded in 1957 as University of San Diego High School, Coppo said it has only grown into a serious competitor to TPHS in the last 15 years, when it moved to it’s present location on Del Mar Heights Road. Coppo attributes the formation of these rivalries to the frequency and intensity of the games, along with the schools’ proximity to one another. “The challenge of Torrey is we’re everybody’s rival because we’re very successful, so a lot of people want to take us down,” Coppo said. The large sports community at TPHS means that students are more aware of and excited for games with rivals. Scott Ashby, TPHS football coach since 1992, commented on the amplified energy at a rival game. “The beauty of rivalry games is the fact that the school spirit for both schools is heightened … and there’s a concerted effort to create a great atmosphere,” Ashby said. When it comes to the rivalry with
LCC, Coppo said it has become healthier over time. “[The rivalry with LCC] is still pretty heated … I’d like to see the flame reduced a little bit … just so we can enjoy the games and not make it quite so personal,” Coppo said. “But it’s better than it used to be because it goes back and forth … when it’s one-sided, the rivalry can get worse” Rivalry games hold significant value to student athletes, as the raised stakes can motivate players to perform better. Gavin Conley (10), a player on the varsity football team, expressed how important rivalry games are to him. “Rivalries are a big date on the calendar … you work all season and that’s the game you’re trying to get to, and trying to win, and be your best at,” Conley said. The focus on winning a rivalry game can also boost team morale. “It definitely brings team spirit up really high … this is a game you want to win to show you’re dominant for that sport,” Conley said. Joey Levenberg (10), a player on the varsity football and lacrosse teams, said that individual pressure is increased as the performance of the team is based on the efforts of every player. “It helps bring a team together to know you have a common goal and knowing you can’t do it yourself,” Levenberg said. Marissa Gaut (12), a member of the cross country and track team, echoed Levenberg’s sentiment about
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOM MILLS
the importance of working together to achieve a win. “When we’re heading into CIF, when we have a target that we’re looking for and we have a target on our back it helps motivate us because each runner makes a difference,” Gaut said. “If one runner doesn’t give all it can cost the team, it helps everyone work collectively.” Collins nonetheless cautions that taking a rivalry game too seriously can distract a team and result in costly mistakes. “The one thing we try to preach to our players is, it is just another game, but we’re human and it definitely means a lot to our players,” Collins said. As TPHS does not seem to be running out of fresh talent and passion in its student athletes any time soon, rivalries will continue to stand strong as a testament to the school’s determination never to back down.
California NIL Bill to revolutionize college sports Martin Lee
STAFF WRITER
The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s NIL, or Name, Image and Likeness Bill, also known as the Fair to Play Act, went into full effect on Jan. 1, 2023, in California, allowing college athletes within the state to make money off their name, image and likeness. Years after the bill was passed in 2019, the landscape of college sports is undergoing some of its most drastic changes by allowing college athletes to finally take a cut of the billion-dollar industry. The amount of money the NCAA made while the athletes made nothing had always been the subject of debate. According to Sportico, in 2021 the NCAA made a profit of $1.16 billion, with 85% of the revenue from March Madness, the NCAA National Championship basketball tournament, alone while “... the players receive zero compensation” according to Investopedia. Instead of awarding individual merit, the profits are spread out to support Division 1 and 2 sports as a whole. Historically, the NCAA distributed the profits across student scholarships, assistance funds and student-athlete services. Leading up to the NIL bill, it was illegal for student-athletes to secure sponsorships, preventing them from directly making money off their performance. For years, the NCAA has operated on the idea that student-athletes were students first and athletes second, believing that college athletes should
not be financially compensated for their abilities. “Student-athletes shall be amateurs in an intercollegiate sport, and their participation should be motivated primarily by education and by the physical, mental and social benefits to be derived,” the NCAA says in Article 2.9 of its 2021/22 Division I Manual. As a result, the NIL bill’s implementation has many studentathletes excited. “I think it’s really cool that college athletes can get some recognition for all the work that they’re putting into their sports. I think it’ll create a cool opportunity, just for college athletes to be able to get paid,” said Logan Noguchi (11), a TPHS varsity swimmer committed to Princeton’s admissions processes. Although Noguchi still has two years to think about using his NIL in college, he is happy to have the opportunity to advance his athletics in the future if he chooses to do so. Still, the world of social media sponsorships and company endorsements is not for everyone. “I don’t already have a big platform [for sponsorships] and it’s just not something I’m really interested in pursuing,” said Marissa Gaut (12), a track and field and cross country athlete committed to Cornell’s admissions process. Instead, she plans to focus on being a student while also running on the side. The NIL bill also helps athletes
where working a traditional second job is not always an option. “The fact that they can make some money off of their own NIL, benefit themselves financially, and find different avenues to make money rather than having to find a job in their offseason is helpful,” said Ryan Bath, the head track and field coach and freshman football assistant coach at TPHS. Equipping athletes with the ability to be financially flexible even helps those who do not plan on going pro. “I’d say for 90% of college athletes, the goal is to be able to get … a free or at least discounted education in college and athletics is a way to do that,” Bath
said. According to ESPN, even if an athlete plays a non-revenue sport, or an athletic activity that does not make money for the school athletes could make anywhere from $2.5K to $5K for camps and lessons. Although the bill is still relatively new and regulations are constantly adapting for each college, it did not arrive a moment too soon. Because sports scholarships and student aid can be unpredictable and unreliable, equipping college athletes with the financial independence to support themselves helps them get a more affordable education and compensates them for their considerable labor.