As Dragons at Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) reach the middle of the spring sports season, the quarterly Athletics Rally rolls around. The Athletics Rally, implemented this past school year by new Athletic Director Jason Dinkler, celebrated the achievements of Foothill Tech sports. Held in the quad on April 10 during the FIRE and lunch period, the event highlighted sports such as boys volleyball, girls beach volleyball, swimming and diving, softball, track and field, boys tennis, boys golf and baseball.
As the bell rang to dismiss students for lunch, the spring sports athletes met in the Black Box to prepare for the upcoming activities the rally offered. Students mingled while enjoying pizza and soon Jason Dinkler announced to the Dragons that the event would be starting. Students not in spring sports lined up around the quad to cheer on athletes as they ran down to their respective meeting points.
Foothill Tech’s mascot, Fuego the Dragon, took the lead in exiting the black box and breaking through the poster, followed by members of the girls’ beach volleyball team holding an American Flag. Two athletes from each team entered first, where later, the rest of the team joined together, filling the quad in the school colors of red and black. The rally began with a game of tug-of-war, where team representatives were collectively divided into two sides. On the right end was beach volleyball, holding up the front of their side, followed by baseball, boys’ golf and track and field. Opposing were boys’ volleyball, swimming and diving, boys’ tennis and softball. After minutes of tugging and pulling, the game concluded with the right side taking the win.
Next, taking the stage was a performance by Foothill Tech’s very own dance team. Performing in matching outfits in white t-shirts, blue jeans and red bandanas, the team danced an energetic number to “4 Minutes” by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.
Student athletes reacted positively to the rally, noticing differences from previous rallies and enjoying being recognized.
“The first [rally] was way more basic. This one was more planned out. It had more of a situation going. It had more games, whatnot.” Max Carlson ‘28, a member of the swimming and diving team, said,
Similarly, Natalia Gonzalez ‘28, a member of the dance team, said, “I mean, it’s way bigger than I expected. There’s way more [people] than last time.”
“I think the rally’s just a good way for students to get recognized for all the hard work they put in through their athletic season, because being a student athlete is really hard sometimes […] and it’s really important to be recognized for it,” Sunny Roberts ‘28 said.
Per the request of the athletes, this spring athletic rally featured teachers representing a specific sport in a tricycle race. After multiple rounds of teachers peddling through the quad, it was determined that the winner was science teacher Daniel Baker, representing beach volleyball.
Teachers seemed to enjoy the activity, commenting on the reason they participated.
Physics and chemistry teacher John Weldele said, “I guess students always seem to like teachers getting up in front and doing silly things. So, bad for the teachers, but great for the students.”
“[Planning] requires a lot as far as making sure that the pieces are in place, but to me, it’s just a labor of love, because I love being a part of the strategical [process] of it. Getting athletes excited about it, getting to celebrate with them,” Dinkler said.
Ending the rally was a sneak-peek performance by Foothill Tech’s Drama Club performing their upcoming musical “Mamma Mia”. The actors sang the infamous song, “Dancing Queen,” to hype up the Dragons in the audience and promote the upcoming show.
By combining competition and entertainment, the Spring Athletics Rally showcased the school’s commitment to celebrating its athletes in meaningful ways. As the event continues to evolve, the rally sets a strong foundation for the future of the Athletic Department, ensuring that student athletes continue to feel supported and that school spirit remains a central part of campus life.
