Using Traditions to Build Culture In Your Program and With Your Team

“Traditions touch us, they connect us, and they expand us.” (Rita Barreto Craig)

Building the culture you want with your team and program can be a tricky task.

There are a lot of catchy quotes about only getting what you tolerate, promoting the things you permit, and not allowing anything but what your culture stands for.

And those are all good things.

Today, though, I want to touch on a more tangible and tactile way to build culture: traditions.

Why do traditions matter?

1. They set you apart from other programs, teams, and experiences. They’re unique to your group.
2. They encourage a sense of deep belonging to the group.
3. They are long-term and long-standing. Those who came before and those who come later will have a common thread among them.
4. They give your group something to look forward to.
5. They’re FUN (sports and being on a team are supposed to be fun…remember?!?)
6. They create memories.

Here are a few traditions I’ve used over my coaching career:

• “Snack Time” — after every road game win, we stop at a gas station and pick up a snack for the road. These will often be accompanied with a team picture.
• “Program Work Day” — the first Saturday of the season, the program spends the day cleaning up the gym, locker room, team room, pumping up basketballs, changing nets, doing laundry, etc.
• “3 Cards” — every time our team hits a 3, someone posts a giant 3 somewhere in the gym (similar to strikeouts and Ks)
• “Alumni Board” — whenever an alumni comes to a game, they’re allowed to come back to the team room and sign the wall
• “College Game/Practice” — as a program, we attend a practice and/or game at a local college
• “Charge Wall” — whenever we take a charge, we pause film, screenshot it, print it out, and post it on the Charge Wall. We’ll also have the player sign the print out.
• “Jump Around” — we play a song after every win and celebrate by jumping around in the locker room together in celebration.
• “Team Camp” — every summer, we go somewhere and stay overnight at a team camp as a program
• Christmas Party — host one at your house or at the school; invite the cheerleaders, all parents, the rest of school, etc.
• Any fundraiser that involves members of the team and program

If you aren’t using traditions to build community, develop group ownership, and create enjoyable and positive memories…you’re doing it wrong.

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