BC, AHS rivalry fading away
By Kendall W.
This year, it feels like the Airport and BC rivalry is dying down. The Airport community is thinking in the next 10 years the rivalry won’t mean anything.
As the years go by, the once intense rivalry between BC High School and Airport High School seems to be losing its shine. From once led by intense matchups between the two spirited schools, and a high sense of competition, the relationship between these two schools now looks to be softening.
With changing social dynamics and evolving student interests, and the impact of technology, the rivalry's decrease is very forward, and it raises a big question about what the future holds for this school competition.
The rivalry between BC High School and Airport High School stretches back several decades. Rooted in regional pride and the want for excellence, each school strives to be the best. Games between the two schools include moments of high tension, packed stadiums, and occasionally contentious interactions between students and alumni. The stakes were high not just in athletics but in academics and extracurricular activities, leading to a passionate atmosphere that energized school communities.
Nowadays Airport and BC students aren't as into the games between the two schools because in our generation social media platforms promote a global community, allowing the students to connect with peers from various schools beyond traditional rivalries. This interconnectedness often leads to mutual appreciation rather than rivalry.
The librarian Mrs. White from Airport High school and AHS alumni (‘05) voiced her opinion on the matter and stated, “When I was at Airport the tension was much higher. No students from Airport really interacted with students from BC high school, and I felt like that kept the rivalry strong.”
Current Airport student-athlete Ja’sia B. says, “Our students here don't really care anymore. Everybody is friends and cool with everybody and it takes away the tension. At this point when it comes to the two schools playing each other; in each sport we know what school will win which games. The surprise to the rivalry is gone, but that isn't a bad thing.”
A student-athlete that goes by Kam and who is associated with BC also stated, “Man when it comes to girls basketball we know Airport is going to beat us so the students from either schools don't really t in, but on the other hand The boys games is really a show because we never know what team is going to win but in my opinion this year it's pretty clear whos winning and that isnt Airport boys basketball, or Airports Football team.”
Other people think the athletics from both schools are dying down as students are transferring to other schools outside the region and the interest in school sports in general is dying down.
As local communities become more integrated, schools find themselves collaborating on projects, events, and even sports. This cooperative approach softens the competitive edge that traditionally characterized rivalries, leading to enhanced relationships between schools. Some rivalries in the U.S have been going on for more than 300 years, but Airport and BC won't be going on for that long as far as I can see.
According to the NFHS The participation in high school sports eclipsed 7.8 million in the 2022-23 school year, reflecting a sharp increase from the previous year as the NFHS completed its High School Athletics Participation Survey for a second time after the pandemic interrupted its collection of data, But one of the worst high school rivalries at the moment in the USA is Wellesley and Needham high school in Massachusetts with an intense and historic rivalry just like AHS and BC.
As the BC and Airport High School rivalry gradually dies it signals a shift in how education and student engagement are perceived. While the echoes of passionate games and spirited contests may become quieter, the opportunity for schools to work together to benefit their communities remains a lasting legacy. Rather than competing against one another, BC and Airport can come together in mutual support and collaboration. An evolution that celebrates shared achievements over competition. The future lies not in rivalry, but in partnership and community building, ensuring that students from both schools can unite to create a better, more inclusive world.
The next BC vs. AHS game will be a football game, and will be held November 1st at BC high school. WIll the eagles finally come on top after years of losing and give this rivalry back some light, or will they face defeat and show our students why the rivalry is no longer important.