2023 LIT: MR. CASPER ’ S TAKE ON LIT

1 What is LIT? Why do you believe this basketball tournament holds such a significant importance to our Luther community today?

“LIT is an event … not just a basketball tournament. It is an event that is for our community (Luther, Regina, Sask, Western Canada). It is a chance for us to host and create a platform for our student skills that can be showcased. Skills including athletes, art work, music, communication with media outlets, organizing banquets, socials and hosting an event that we can celebrate while doing something for others on a large scale. No real difference than providing entertainment with our musical and candlelight service. Similar to creating an environment to celebrate our students and cultures like Multicultural night and our fine arts night.

It is important for our past Luther students as it offers a meeting spot and time to see one another, important for our present students because we can be involved with each other, hang out with each other and important for our future because LIT gives athletes, artists, musicians and our supportive parents something to look forward to and work towards.”

2. Explain your experience playing in LIT. What emotions emerged as a result of playing in such a farreaching tournament?

“I think the anticipation of playing in front of the fans that are all there to cheer on our school, but are also there to have fun in an environment that is safe and really positive, is what makes the experience memorable. As a player we want to represent our school well. WE WANTED to win. When we got to the final, it was so much fun as it is so hard to win this tournament. You give all that you have on the floor as a player. Playing, performing and representing your teammates and your school is a PRIVILEGE! It is earned ! When you earn it and stay committed to it, it means more. You develop a passion . No matter what you are doing. One of the reasons I wanted to be a teacher is so that I could be involved and coach. I could be involved with students and hopefully help create and give back to the environment that shaped me.”

3. This is LIT’s comeback year as a result of Covid-19 canceling the full extent of LIT the past two years. What does this comeback tournament mean to you?

“We were lucky to be able to have musicals , arts nights and so many other important events in our school in 2020-21 and 2021-22 yet they were often modified in a large way. For many reasons, we could not have any athletics at all in 2020-21 and were not allowed tournaments from November until March of 2022. It was great to be able to have some athletics and leagues, but tournaments and travel were not permitted. When you have so many traditions and so many important events were canceled for an extended period of time, it affects the involvement and culture of the school. Not having LIT affects the culture of the community that supports it. We cherish the times we can put our students on a platform to celebrate them. We have chapels and Zoom chapels that thankfully allowed us to celebrate important students and their skills in different areas. That was very difficult to do for athletics. For all the proper reasons, so much was canceled. Health is first , comfort levels varied and we needed to protect each other.

LIT allows us to come together again and allows our school to give opportunities to students (athletes, musicians, artists etc.)

What is not to love about this!” INTERVIEWER: PAIGE PATRICK

INTERVIEWED: MR. CASPER