Parents sometimes are very invested in their child's sport. Their opinion, support or words can impact a player’s game in different ways. If the student section is loud, parents supporting their kids can be louder. Knowing that their parents are here to watch them play can be disturbing for some athletes or, on the contrary, help them through their effort.
“My parents are not really invested in the way I play, but I honestly feel more nervous. I feel more pressure on me,” junior soccer player Holiday Williams said.
For some people, seeing their parents in the stands heightens pressure and anxiety, motivating them to play their best. For others, like senior cross country runner Samantha Bieber, it is encouraging to feel supported. Her parents' presence changes the way she performs and makes her feel reassured by familiar faces.
“When I see my dad, he always knows exactly what to say to cheer me on and make me feel better when I'm, like, dying in the middle of a race. So whenever they're not there I'm always looking for them,” Bieber said.
In a sport like cross country, where there are no traditional stands and athletes are spread out along the course, seeing family or friends cheering on different points of the race can give runners a boost when they are tired or struggling. Beyond race days, sharing the same passion for sport with their parents can also help them before they compete.
“[My parents are] both runners too. So we talk about running a lot,” Bieber said. “They are definitely invested. My mom, she just loves cross country. So she comes to every race. She always brings snacks, so she’s definitely very supportive.”
Having parents who understand the importance of a sport can help players feel supported. That shared understanding helps to turn sports into a family experience rather than an individual one. Additionally, athletes in sports with larger crowds may feel supported not only by their own parents but also by the parents of all of their teammates.
“It makes me very happy that they cheer for me. And it’s very exciting seeing them be excited for me,” sophomore swimmer Ane Doval Guijarro said. “It feels very cool to see all of the parents that don’t know me cheer for me.”
The energy in the stands creates a positive and motivating environment. Even cheers from people we don’t know can make a difference. Feeling recognized and encouraged by more people can help athletes gain confidence and enjoy more of their meets throughout the season.
“The vibe is the best thing I’ve experienced in my life. I feel really close to them. It’s really, really fun and it makes my season ten times better,” Doval said.
If sports are often associated with competition, they are also about connections. When meetings become shared moments with family and friends, it sets the vibe for better results. People making the effort to come to a meet, game or race just for a bit to show their support can change an athlete’s performance by making them feel more motivated.
“I definitely like it better when they're there,” Bieber said.
