For over fifty years, Floor Hockey has been a tradition at East Lansing High School. Every year, students form their own teams, and play in a tournament that begins around President day weekend.
This years tournament will begin this weekend, and here is what you need to know about it.
Flockey lasts for around four weeks, and the final game takes place on Monday before spring break. The games take place every Saturday morning when teams play against each other, and the championship game takes place on the Monday before spring break. The winning team receives special flockey baseball hats.
On average, there are 14 to 16 total teams, boys and girls, that compete throughout the season. On Saturday mornings each team plays twice in twenty-eight minute games. The games consist of two halves with a short break in between allowing people to put their best foot forward going into the second half. Students usually make team names, and nicknames and wear on the back of the uniforms they create independently.
A player meeting took place in Mr. Pendred’s room on Tuesday, February 4th after school where players were given forms due the following Wednesday, along with the entry fee of 20$ per player.
Flockey is a tradition that is unique to East Lansing. No other schools in the area provide this activity for students.
Many students take part in this great opportunity in hopes of having fun and being competitive with fellow students.
Last year, for the boy’s bracket, the Lumberjacks and the Gentleman’s Club made it to the championship game, ultimately leading to the Lumberjacks winning and taking home the hats. Neither of these teams will be returning this year as their members have graduated, but some other boys’ teams to look for are the Cadets and the Sea Unicorns
Vinny Taliaferro (12), a member of The Cadets, started playing flockey last year and takes pride in their victories. He hopes that they win the championship and get hats this year.
“Being able to beat down on the underclassmen is my favorite part, it’s kind of cool,” Taliaferro said “We’re coming for it all. We’re winning the championship.”
Many students’ main goal going into the tournament is to win it all. The people who play the best at the beginning of the season will go the farthest, but there are also unexpected, exciting changes throughout the season.
Noa Wildeboer (10), will participate in her second season this year. Her favorite Flockey memory was beating the senior team, Puck Drop, last year to advance to the championship.
“It is just really fun, like the whole team environment,” Wildeboer said “Everyone on the team is really nice and I have been friends with all of them since middle school”
Last year, for the girl’s bracket, Hit or Miss and the Flock made it to the championship game and competed hard against each other. After a close game that went into a shootout, Hit or Miss won the game and took home the hats. Both of these teams will be returning this season.
Flockey has been a memorable opportunity for many students, leaving them with fun memories for the rest of their lives.
Sophia Lampi (10), who is a part of The Flock, anxiously awaits her second season with her friends. She looks forward to the final and getting the chance to win hats.
“My favorite memory is probably when we beat the juniors last year and got to the final,” Lampi said “It is really fun, as a team with your friends, and it gets competitive.”