On November 4, 2017, Judson students and members of the Marion community congregated on the hockey field to participate in Judson’s annual Hockey Day. Also in attendance were various alumnae, returning to their alma mater to once again participate in a beloved Judson tradition.
Every year when the air first begins to cool with the crisp edge of fall, Judson students begin practicing field hockey in preparation for Hockey Day. Any and all students are welcome to participate, even students who have never played before. The game is fast-paced, exciting, and competitive. Judson girls work hard and play hard to hone their hockey skills so as to increase their chances of being selected to be on the All-Star team, a specially selected team of girls chosen to play against the returning Alumnae team.
The week leading to Hockey Day is known as Hockey Week, and Hockey Week always brings excitement to the Judson campus. Everyday leading up to Hockey Day, students are given a different theme to dress up as. To start off the week, Monday’s theme was Matchy Monday; students were encouraged to find a partner or a group of friends and dress the same. Tuesday’s theme was TeamJudson Tuesday, with students showing off their Judson spirit by wearing an array of Judson t-shirts, sweatshirts, or the Judson colors of red and black. Wacky Wednesday was perhaps everyone’s favorite day; students dressed in wacky colors that varied from bright neon colors, to mismatched socks. Following Wacky Wednesday was the more conservative theme of Thankful Thursday: students dressed in business casual attire and were encouraged to participate in a thankfulness activity during lunch. Hockey Week closed with students celebrating the holidays in their festive clothes for Festive Friday. Friday also marked another favorite tradition of Judson students: fight songs. Every year on the Friday before Hockey Day, each class sings a song composed by their class song leader cheering their team on for Hockey Day.
Hockey Day itself began at nine o’clock Saturday morning with a tailgate party. Opening ceremonies followed and the first game of the day, Seniors vs. Jr./Frosh (a combination of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen) was won by the senior class. After the game spectators were directed to the gymnasium where each class presented a skit that had been composed around the theme of Hockey Week: “Life is better when we stick together.” At 11 o’clock, the long-awaited game between the Alumnae team and the All-Star team went underway, with the All-Star team emerging as the victors.
Perhaps what makes Hockey Day one of the most well-loved traditions is its emphasis on sisterhood. It is a day for students both new and old; those who currently attend Judson, and those who once called Judson their home. It is a time to make new friends and rekindle old friendships; for the bondage of sisterhood is a bond not so easily broken.