Football players start tradition in ceramics room

Of all the thousands of football players in the U.S., perhaps only a few have a hangout spot as unique as juniors Travis Stokes and Clark Rothenberg.

At the end of fourth period on fall Fridays, the bell rings and a group of varsity football players rush into ceramics teacher Leah Aguayo’s room. For these athletes, spending tutorial in the ceramics room has become a part of their pre-game routine. Being there helps the football players “get psyched for the game and do homework too,” Stokes said.

Since last year, Stokes and his football teammates have gone to ceramics room every Friday tutorial to avoid waiting in line to get into the library.

“As freshmen, we always raced to the library trying to get a table, but a lot of the time, we were too late and we wouldn’t have anywhere to work during tutorial,” Stokes said.

In an attempt to escape the chill of the fall, the players looked for a class where they would all be comfortable; they decided on Aguayo, since many of them took ceramics.

“We all really liked Ms. Aguayo’s class and we have all developed strong connections to her, so picking this class was a really easy decision,” Stokes said.

Besides doing homework, the players also talk about football and watch videos on the app Hudl, which allows players to view film of opposing teams.

“It’s a semi-quiet location where we can do last-second breakdowns of the other team’s offense and defense,” Rothenberg said.

While Friday is usually a stressful time for football players, the athletes find solace in the ceramics room. Aguayo, understanding of the players’ stress, leaves out snacks for the hungry football players.

The finger-foods range from chips and Agauyo’s famous salsa to McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches.

“It’s really fun to go in knowing Ms. Agauyo will surprise us with something special. It calms the pre-game nerves we have and helps us just relax and focus,” junior quarterback Jonathan Walters said.

Although it started as a coincidence, the players have embraced the warmth and comfort of the room.

“We hope to carry this tradition not only through our senior year, but also to pass it down as a tradition all football players will partake in,” Stokes said.