High school athletic memories can range from the greatest of victories to the most challenging defeats. One key moment that plays more of a role for both students and the school community involves competition with a rival school. High school rivalries can bring out the best in students, and those special events are the contests where amateur athletics thrive.

To capitalize on these powerful moments, schools and athletic departments must focus on promoting healthy rivalries. When schools take time to designate a respectful rival opponent that has similar competition performance, it allows both students and school leaders to plan for a meaningful experience. It also can bring communities together and spread positive connection.

Designating a Common, Like-minded Opponent
A rivalry is defined as “competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.” In order to have a rivalry, schools need to find a like-minded opponent. More often than not, that opponent is one that is of similar skill level and school size, close to the school geographically, or has similar overall program effectiveness. For the rivalry to last, one or more of these characteristics must be found in the two schools.

Schools in the same district or geographic location may become rivals, but some rivalries begin when a significantly competitive contest with another school brings out the desire to overcome adversity. School leaders need to recognize that students want to be part of a meaningful competition and when such close games occur, they can promote a healthy culture of focused improvement to achieve more successful results over a rival school.

Build Tradition with Each Contest
While schools don’t mind exhibiting dominance over others, in a healthy rivalry, the two schools must build off each other’s success. For example, when one school gets new turf, the other school is not far behind. When one builds a new end zone facility/arena/ golf facility/STEM building, it doesn’t take long for the students, staff and patrons of the other school to keep pace.

“Keeping up with the Joneses” is taken to a new level when it comes to comparisons between two rival schools. Athletic stipends, clothing contracts and media coverage are often compared and scrutinized as each school wants to remain the most competitive in all areas for the benefit of their students and staff. As a direct reflection, rivalry motivates both schools’ athletes to do their best.

Competitiveness is the internal drive to do one’s best and drives athletes to push themselves forward. Rivalries can spark a competitiveness that lets students express creativity and artistry, and can positively inspire others. However, if competitiveness is left unsupervised, it can create potentially dangerous behaviors that can jeopardize identities of both students and school communities.

It’s important for school leaders to communicate that rivalries are not all about winning. Stressing a passion to excel, exceed, persevere and achieve allows students to practice and demonstrate positive character traits that will impact students long after a contest concludes.

All students want to win, especially when playing a rival, but if students become too obsessive or “fierce,” wanting to beat a rival more than anything, it can take away from school and program goals, and have a negative impact.

Promote Respect for All Rivals
In certain contexts, it may be possible where rivals may both be present at a neutral school tournament but may not compete against each other. Schools that respect their opponents rather than loathe them typically root for one another in all sports when they are not directly competing against one another.

Genuinely wanting rivals to excel outside of direct competition fosters a healthy environment where positive support and perspective is reinforced. Rivals will still want to win contests against each other, but supporting rivals in neutral contests does not detract from the drive to win. In addition, by avoiding the hazards of an obsessive rivalry, students are more likely to find personal fulfillment and thrive at overcoming obstacles.

Invite Communities to Rivalries
Strengthening rivalries through community partnerships can come in many forms. For example, a company or business that is in both geographical regions may seek sponsorship opportunities for a particular game or event. This can lead to more financial support for both schools.

Rival schools may also want to use their games to raise funds for additional causes. For example, schools may want to participate in a community service event (Coaches vs. Cancer, food drive for a local organization, etc.). In the case of rival schools, competition on the playing field is often emphasized, but when schools creatively partner together for something bigger than the game, student-athletes, coaches and communities alike feel more connected to their communities and such activities can help grow respect and appreciation.

Promote Positive Fan Engagement
Rivalries bring fans together, creating a sense of community and excitement. Fans are more likely to attend rivalry games and cheer for their team, making the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. Game-day atmospheres become electric as the school experiences a new chapter in its collective identity.

There are ways to promote positive fan engagement throughout the event. Spirit performance times designated for both teams allow all fans to positively engage with the school. Community partners may choose to give back through scholarships for student-athletes of both programs.

Final Thoughts
Rivalry games also present opportunities to promote additional athletics and activities. Announcers can highlight the success of other teams, activities or even community service events. When schools find ways to promote what goes on outside of the actual game, a true partnership or rivalry will develop that transcends the final score on the board at the end of the game.