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The role that sports traditions have in creating the athletic culture and the surrounding communities is very important. The various traditions, including pre-game rituals, chants, and symbolic celebrations are a method of passing the traditions down through the years. Thus, defining the identity of a team and its followers. The sports traditions are found in both small and large ways. Small ways include the routine an individual goes through before he/she runs, whereas, large ways include chants in a stadium that unifies thousands of fans. Critics of sports traditions argue that most are mere symbols and do not add value. However, the majority of the times, there is much more to the story. Many of the rituals that appear to be nothing more than gestures, have greater meanings. Not only do sports traditions allow athletes and fans to develop an identity, but they also assist in developing a feeling of team cohesion and developing a connection to a larger group of people.

Traditionally, sports traditions establish a connection to the past and the present. Sports traditions help athletes and fans understand that they are a part of something larger than a single game or season. For instance, team colors, mascots, and the continued use of longstanding rituals, ties current players and fans to the history of their team. When fans wear jerseys or participate in the same type of traditions that existed prior to their time, they are continuing the tradition of the team. The continuous nature of these activities creates a sense of continuity; each generation continues the previous generations' efforts. An example of a simple sports tradition that exemplifies this concept is the Gatorade bath given to an athlete after winning a big game. The action of the Gatorade bath represents a shared understanding of victory and celebration among the team's athletes and fans. With the continuation of these actions over time, the tradition becomes a component of the sport's culture and thus develops into a meaningful way of establishing an identity of a particular team, versus an arbitrary action.

In sports, the importance of establishing a continuity of a team's tradition and a sense of history is extremely important, as it provides a foundation for the narrative of a team's successes. It emphasizes that athletes are not solely competing for themselves, but rather, for their team, their history, and ultimately their community. Tradition plays an important role in reinforcing this idea by continually reminding participants of their place within a larger whole. Similarly, for fans, the connection to a team can be equally as strong. Fans typically inherit the traditions of a team from family or other community members, which can involve attending games together and/or following certain rituals associated with game days. These shared practices create an emotional attachment and foster a relationship between the fan and the sport.

Additionally, sports traditions create a connection between the past and present and are an integral part of the development of a team's identity. Furthermore, the traditions practiced by athletes and teams help in the development of a cohesive unit. Studies in sports psychology have shown that using a structured pre-competition routine can decrease anxiety, improve focus and improve overall performance (Cotterill 134). The structured routine helps the athlete to feel better prepared and more in control in high-pressure situations. Therefore, the pre-game rituals are not simply habits, but are actually methods of preparing the mind for competition.

As a member of a collegiate track team, I personally experienced the benefit of sports traditions. Prior to competitions, our team followed a consistent warm up routine and participated in small pre-race rituals that helped to prepare us mentally. Although we compete individually, the shared rituals helped to develop a sense of unity and lessened the stress associated with competing individually. Knowing that everyone went through the same routine helped to alleviate the pressure and provided confidence. My experience as a collegiate athlete supports the findings of research in sports psychology; traditions are not simply symbolic, but provide actual psychological advantages that positively affect an athlete's performance.

In addition to providing a connection between the past and present, and providing a method of fostering unity among athletes and teams, sports traditions provide a means of bringing communities together. Examples of large sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup or the Superbowl, are not simply games; they are cultural events that provide a means of shared experiences and rituals. Fans come together to watch, celebrate and share in the same type of traditions such as singing the national anthem, chanting or simply by wearing the colors of their favorite team. The shared experience provides a sense of belonging, and allows people of different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs to connect over a common interest. In many cases, sports are one of the few places that people of different backgrounds can come together.

According to sociologist Émile Durkheim, shared rituals are effective in developing a collective identity and promoting social cohesion. This is evident in the fact that fans will often share in the same type of traditions, which makes them feel connected to something larger than themselves. Examples of this can be seen when a team wins a championship and the city celebrates together. These types of events provide a sense of shared identity and provide a memorable event for the fans. This demonstrates that traditions are not just symbolic, but help to develop the way people view themselves and their connection to others.

In addition to the development of community and identity, sports provide a means of developing social identity at a national level. Teams and leagues often represent cities, states or countries, and therefore provide a source of pride that goes beyond individual achievement. According to Alan Bairner, sports can create a shared identity among people who participate in the sport, especially during times of national significance (Bairner 45). International competitions illustrate this well, as national anthems, uniforms and team rituals have deeper meaning. During international competitions, the traditions of a country are a representation of the country and its people, and therefore represent more than just a team.

While many sports traditions have the potential to evoke deep emotions and connections to the past, present, and future, not all traditions are created equal. There are instances when the traditions are not as meaningful as they once were. The repetition of the tradition over time can cause the tradition to lose its original meaning and significance. In many cases, the repetition of a tradition becomes a habit that is performed out of obligation, rather than due to any sense of meaning. In these cases, the traditions are not serving their intended purpose, and the repetition of the tradition is nothing more than a meaningless ritual.

Another critique of sports traditions is their commercialization. In today's sports world, many traditions are marketed and sold to fans. Teams offer throwback jerseys, recreate past experiences, and market certain traditions to increase fan interest and generate revenue. While these marketing efforts can lead to increased unity among fans, they can also cause the traditions to lose their original meaning and authenticity. Questions arise regarding whether the traditions are being protected for their meaning or for financial gain.

Although there is evidence that many sports traditions are commercialized and can be meaningless, even the most seemingly meaningless traditions can have a profound effect. Symbols, regardless of their origins, have the power to shape how individuals think and interact. Even if a tradition loses its original meaning or purpose, the act of repeating it can still create a sense of identity and belonging. For example, participating in a chant or wearing the jersey of your favorite team may seem like a trivial activity, however, it creates a shared experience that fosters a sense of community and social bonding. Over time, the repetition of these actions creates a culture that shapes how individuals identify themselves and their relationships to others. In this respect, symbolism is not a weakness in developing meaning, but rather a means of developing it.

Traditions in sports have also reflected important social and cultural changes. The integration of sports in the 20th Century, and notable figures such as Jackie Robinson, illustrate how sports traditions can have a deeper cultural significance. These events, and the traditions developed around them, were not just symbolic, but represented broader cultural movements towards equality and acceptance. The traditions surrounding these events continue to serve as reminders of the progress that has occurred and the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. As the sports world continues to evolve, so too will the traditions.

In the modern era, the advent of technology and social media has created new forms of sports traditions. Fans are able to participate in digital rituals, such as reacting to plays online, creating viral moments, and interacting with teams through social media platforms. Like traditional in-person rituals, these digital traditions serve the purpose of building community and fostering identity. This illustrates that traditions are not static and are changing to meet the needs of society.

In summary, although some may believe that many sports traditions are merely symbolic and do not provide any value, their impact extends far beyond the surface of the tradition itself. Sports traditions create a sense of connection to the past, foster a sense of community and identity, and create a unified front for teams. Even when traditions evolve or become commercialized, they continue to shape identity and provide a connection to something larger than oneself. The true significance of sports traditions is that they create a connection to a larger community, and thus are a vital element of the sporting experience.