How big and little sister differs throughout sports

Most girls’ sports teams have a tradition of big and little sisters. This is when an upperclassman claims a lower classman to be their little sister. The concept is the same throughout, but the execution is not. Throughout all the sports, one thing is the same, most believe it brings the team closer.

First a look at cross-country. They have their exchanges every other meet; this year that meant five exchanges. What they exchange is candy, snacks, drinks, nail polish, and things to remember the season. The reveal is done on the first exchange. The big gives the little a gift on the bus to the first meet.

Now onto flags. They swap gifts every home game. Each day of band camp, the big gives the little a gift and on Friday, the little receives a shirt that matches the big sis. Gifts examples are socks, hand-made posters, movie posters, candles, candy, and art supplies.

Freshman flag Kitana Slomovitz explains their reveal, “During Band Camp, on Friday, after gifts and hints are given, during breakfast, we are given shirts tie-dyed by their big sis. After that, during sectionals, the little sis' get to guess who they think their big sis is. The big sis' take off their sweatshirts to reveal matching tie-dye shirts so big sis and little sis match.”

Very similar to the flags are the highlights. At the annual highlight sleepover before band camp, they are revealed. Highlights start with a gift exchange at band camp, through the season they exchange for each home football game, and they have a final exchange at the end of the season. Their gifts range from candy and candles to blankets and picture frames. Highlights had to change a few from big and little sisters to twins.

“I have never been a big sister but I have been a little which was fun but I have also been a "twin". I like being a "twin" because it makes you even closer to that person,” describes Junior Ariana Marino

Next up, swimming and diving. Their gifts include candy, water bottles, blankets, jewelry, and fuzzy socks. Their exchanges are every dual meet. They switch off from big sis giving one week to lil sis giving the next. The reveal is at the first exchange; the big gives their lil a gift.

Junior swimmer Sydney Manderbach has a different view than most on big/lil sis. Manderbach said, “I really dislike the whole idea. With the frequency of gifts and how broke I am, I usually just buy 5-7 things at the dollar store each time. It is honestly pretty materialistic and unnecessary. I think the institution should be eradicated.”

And now a look at volleyball. They have exchanges every other week during the regular season. Their gifts are usually their favorite candy, water bottles and clothes. Their reveals are slight variations of the same things.

“My Big delivered multiple gifts with a letter spelling out her last name that I received in different classes,” Junior volleyball player Cali Diederich recalled.

Continuing on there is basketball. They have three exchanges during their season. The big sisters pick a name out of the hat and just directly tell their new little who they are. The gifts vary.

Junior basketball player Allie Slaw said, “I have received gifts cards, socks (basketball and fuzzy), candy/treats, snacks, Gatorade, and water bottles.”

Last but not least, soccer. Types of gifts include tie blankets, sweatshirts, scrapbooks, and bath bombs. They did two exchanges, not including the reveal. Soccer goes all out with the reveal. They make scavenger hunts around the school where the little finds clues, follows string, or does some other odd task given to them by their big.

Sophomore Ashleigh Stern said, “Yes, I believe it to help with team bonding; I think it helps incoming freshman build relationships with the upperclassman. For soccer, we reveal big sis through a treasure hunt. For example, your big sis could lay a string in the ground and you have to follow it to your big sis.”