Tiger Opinion: H-10 is an Important Element of Boys Swimming

The Urbana boys swimming and diving team over the past 30 years has experienced its fair share of public success by the standards of winning seasons, twin city championships, state qualifiers, and record holders. However, over the past five years through the winning traditions have been lost and some of the strengths in atmosphere and brotherhood have changed; as a result of some of the resulting tensions, the administration of Urbana High School and our coaches have agreed to suspended H-10 from being practiced during the 2013-2014 swim season. This was reported not to have only been because of the lack of success, but also because of what coaches and administrators call H-10 a “selective society” that has a negative effect on the students.

H-10 is a tradition that has been around since 1979; throughout its 35 years of existence H-10 has positively affected hundreds of young men that have come through the swimming and diving program. The important brotherhood of boy’s swimming comes not only by a knowledge of what H-10 truly is, but also by the group mentality that is a part of being a team. When you ask students around the school what the closest sports team is based on friendship and lasting relationships, I guarantee the boys swimming and diving team will be among the first answers.

When H-10 exists in the way that it was designed, it doesn’t separate the team into the “cool” and the “lame”. It brings everybody together; H-10 brings friends for life. At this year’s annual alumni meet, you could see that first hand. Over 25 guys showed up that had previously participated in boys swimming and many had lasting relationships with their once upon a teammates. Sure, swimming through hard practices and fighting through opposition at swim meets brings you together, but the idea of having H-10 goes to the next level and gives you friends for life. This extra sense of “belonging” is what adds to the special atmosphere of being involved in boys swimming.

When the news was broken to the swim team about H-10 being withdrawn from Urbana swimming, I feel that the negative effects took place immediately. After meeting with administrations, it was reported that the reasons behind suspending H-10 were:

1. Swimming was not currently the main focus of the Urbana swimming and diving program, H-10 and the activities surrounding it were.

2. H-10 was exclusive and some individuals are not being welcomed.

3. H-10 had caused lack of success in the program because of the tension it was causing.

It is understandable that administration can think H-10 is the main focus of swimming, After all in the case of many of the swimmers, that is the aspects they talk about the most because of the “exclusive” connection to their swiming team. Talk to some of the swimmers, and it could sound like it is the only reason they do swimming. However despite how certain swimmers may present their dedication to the team, all swimmers still come to practice every single day and work hard just like the rest of the athletes.

When existing as it should, H-10 is not something you are excluded from; if you are on the swim team and do activities with the team, you will become H-10. The activities asked of swimmers, mostly freshman, are no different than things one has to do as an underclassmen on any other sports team: pick up equipment, give out equipment, and many other small, miscellaneous tasks. It is absolutely nothing different than what other sports teams have their underclassmen do, and in no way is it exclusive, or hazing.

Success wise, H-10 has had no negative effect except when it was taken away. Last year, when H-10 was still in place our team was much larger at the beginning of the season with more than 25 athletes on the team. This number did fluctuate as the season went on. This year without H-10 allowed, the number of athletes dropped to 11 by the end of the season. Many of the swimmers who participated the season before did not even join the team in the first place, therefore limiting our chances of winning meets, or even scoring well. Without H-10 there is virtually no comradery on the swim team; the use of H-10 provided a sense of belonging and returning swimmers did not want to compete without that feeling. The season before was far more successful with H-10 in place. Much more effort was put into practice, and morale levels were much higher. Every person on the swim team felt like they belonged, and I can personally say it was the best sports season of my athletic career and that one season gave me friends for life. However, when the administration and coaches suspended H-10 for the 2013-14 season many athletes were not motivated at all to swim, and the vibe of the entire swim team was very low and tensions were high.

Zach Heinrecher, who graduated earlier this summer, swam every year in high school and joined the team again for his senior season with high hopes of going to state in a relay. However when Zach learned of H-10 being suspended from his senior season, his attitude changed just like many other swimmers and in the end Zach quit swimming.

“Without H-10 the swim team isn’t the same, the brotherhood and comradery is gone and the bonds just aren’t the same. I quit the team because there was no H-10.”, said Heinricher.

Another veteran swimmer, Evan Lovell, who has been swimming for three years chose to quit this season with the same reasons as Zach.

Lovell said, “Without H-10 the swim team seems emotionless, all our traditions and cheers now can’t be practiced and that is what made the team special. It’s hard seeing a tradition that’s affected so many people positively be taken away like this.”

When the administration and coaches suspended H-10, this not only increased tension on the swim team in terms of fragile ideals of comradery and friendship, but the decision to take away H-10 spawned attitudes that continued to keep the team and administration at odds. As the year came to a close, the administrative team met with the swim team, parents and coaches to try and address some of the tensions and concerns had by members of the swim community. Although this was a helpful meeting, the future of H-10 remains unclear for current and future swimmers at UHS. Until a decision is made, taking into consideration all parties involved and their opinions, the strong school climate present at UHS will not properly exist on the boys swim team.