To the average fan finding their seat in the bleachers of Robson Gymnasium, the game begins as the whistle blows and the tip-off soars through the air. But for the Brophy varsity basketball team, the game truly begins out of sight, in the Harry T. “Dutch” Olivier Athletic Complex. Here, the athletes go through very specific routines to warm up for their upcoming game. Whether gearing up for the game, practicing their free throws, or listening to music, the athletes all have their own personal rituals and routines that they have developed throughout their careers.
In this separated space, the atmosphere is filled with extreme focus and the sound of screeching shoes and bouncing balls. This photo essay documents what truly goes on in a Brophy varsity basketball game beyond what the average fan may experience. Whether in the Dutch or in Robson, whether an athlete is lacing up his shoes in a precise way or the team gathering together for prayer, when we notice what goes on beyond just the game itself, we begin to realize that these young men are not just athletes on the box score. Through these shared rituals, they become family. This essay aims to show that the most important parts of a Brophy basketball game aren’t just found in the score, but in the traditions that go unnoticed yet bring the team together as one.
