For the first time in Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) history, athletics took the spotlight in a brand new event known as the Fall Athletics Rally. Headed by Athletics Director Jason Dinkler and the Associated Student Body (ASB), the Rally was created to increase student engagement and promote Foothill Tech sports.
Introducing and promoting the Athletics Department’s new slogan “Unleash the fire!” the Rally brought a surge of energy and excitement to the campus. Designed as both a celebration and a call to school spirit, the event shines a light on the Foothill Tech’s student athletes, setting the stage for an event proposed to take place during all sports seasons.
The quad buzzed as students waiting in anticipation filled the sidelines for the Athletics Rally. On Sept. 17, 2025, the Athletics Rally was held from 12:25 to 12:55 p.m. during lunch in the quad. Student athletes participating in fall sports burst through a large poster, continuing through the quad to the stage while onlookers watched and cheered, bringing a refreshing burst of school spirit to the typically calm quad. Afterwards, the athletes gathered on the stage as Dinkler and other coaches gave speeches, applauding the athletes. To close out the event, ASB hosted a game of musical chairs which was open to all students, creating a bonding opportunity and sense of community within Foothill Tech.
Alejandro Alvarez ‘28 said, “I’m really hyped, I’m really excited. I think this is a big stepping stone for the school.” In addition, Kara Eggertsen ‘28 observed, “There’s good energy, everyone’s really excited and that’s really cool.”
Many student-athletes were similarly enthusiastic about the Athletics Rally, anticipating more engagement in school sports. Dean Liddell ‘27 stated, ”Everyone was watching, and I think more people are going to show up to more games.” Reese Fernandez ‘29 echoed Liddell’s enthusiasm as well, saying that, “[The Athletics Rally] brings a lot of people together because most people are actually here. Almost everybody’s in the quad watching, so I think that’s really cool.”
Additionally, some teachers at Foothill Tech felt positively about the Athletics Rally, with hopes that school spirit will increase. Emily Hunt, a physics and biology teacher, said, “Well, I think it’s really important that we have fun together, and athletics is a great way to celebrate being active and having fun, so I think that [the rally] will have an overall positive effect.” History teacher Claire Adams mentioned, “I’m very excited about it. I have never been to a pep rally in my life, so this will be my first.” Science teacher Daniel Baker stated, “I do think that rallies help bring everybody together, and athletics is exciting and lots of people are involved.”
Dinkler explained, “Sometimes [students] are not recognized as a tennis athlete or golf athlete, so, we just gave [athletes] recognition.” Dinkler also shares his aspirations for future rallies saying, “I hope it builds the opportunity for people to see athletics as something that is central to the school, that one of the things that we do really well is sports, and to just encourage people to see themselves as a program that is a big group of Dragons.”
Looking ahead, Dinkler and ASB are already discussing plans for winter and spring sports rallies to keep the momentum going. Dinkler said, “We’re going to have one rally every season… this rally was just a great way to start the process of doing a rally [each season].”
Whether students came for the game, the music, or simply to watch the spectacle, Foothill Tech’s first Athletics Rally marked a new chapter for the school, one where athletics and community spirit take center stage. The success of this first rally in Foothill Tech’s history paves the way for future rallies to come as Dragons continue to unleash the fire.
