Building That Bulldog Spirit

Before our guest teams arrived, the Pep Rally gave ICSB Bulldogs a chance to pump up the volume on that Bulldog Spirit, connect as a school community, and cheer on our Varsity teams with a unified voice. Throughout the weekend, our Dance Teams, Mascot, and Pep Bands helped keep that electric energy going, leaving our guests with a lasting impression. 

The Winter Classic is truly an amazing event. Everyone was kind and welcoming. We saw "Community, Integrity, and Growth" posted all over your walls, and those values were clearly reflected in every interaction we had with your staff, students, and fans. The fans were incredible and brought a lot of positive energy. It was great for our kids to get to experience it all. We have already marked our calendars to return next year!

ISP Coach/Admin

Pep Rally

Before our guests arrived, students and staff of all ages gathered for the Pep Rally. Our MCs and pep band cranked up the volume as they led the crowd in loud, unified cheers. The weeks leading up to the Pep Rally, multiple students took the time to create posters for our varsity teams. The ICSB Gym was covered with these encouraging works of art. At the Pep Rally, MCs Joe D. and Liam O. announced and congratulated the poster contest winners.  

Then, the Varsity teams charged through a giant Bulldog mascot poster, went straight into layups, and were introduced to a gym full of applause and excitement by Mr. John Cooper's iconic announcer voice. The rally ended with the entire school on its feet, dancing together and sending our teams into the tournament ready to compete.

 

 

Dance Team and Pep Band

From the pep rally through the tournament, our Dance Teams and Pep Band kept the gym abuzz with their carefully crafted dance routines, cheer cues, and cadences.

 

 

After months of steady preparation, the Upper School and Middle Grades Dance Teams took the stage at the Winter Classic, ready to perform. Since before Christmas, they had invested time in rehearsals, refining choreography and building unity as teams, and that commitment was evident throughout the weekend. Performing multiple times during the tournament, including the Pep Rally and at halftime for every ICSB game, the dancers wowed the crowds, energized our Bulldogs, and contributed meaningfully to the overall atmosphere of the event. 

 

 

The pep band, led by Ms. Laura Danneker and composed of the 7th and 8th Grade Band and Mrs. Rebecca Lingenhoel, had also been hard at work. Throughout the Winter Classic, they kept the energy up with Riffs of popular music and prompted our community to cheer on our teams through Bulldog Chants.

 

 

 

Bulldog's Winter Classic Welcome

While events like the Pep Rally help strengthen our school community, the heart behind the Winter Classic is to build relationships beyond our school community, with the players, coaches, and parents from the teams we host from all over. 

Congrats to you and your army of volunteers who played such a large role in creating the successful and enjoyable event. We are especially thankful for the hospitality crew, and a special thanks for helping us to get a birthday cake and candles for one of our players. We were amazed by the warm welcome from your community. 

AISZ Coach/Admin

Players' Social Night

On the first night of the Winter Classic, following the opening games, players from every team were invited to an ice cream social featuring live rock music by a band composed of talented ICSB student musicians, ice breakers, and ice cream Sundaes. In addition to the fun games, delicious treats, and delightful music that even prompted many to get up and dance, it was a great opportunity to put connection before competition.

The goal was for players to see them as friends and peers instead of opponents and enemies, to create a warm and welcoming environment, and to be salt and light.

Mr. Peter Lash

 

Mira T. and Laura W. MCd the games, during which players had to find someone not on their own team to get out and meet people. It made space for players to meet before their team's matchups, see other players not just as opponents, but take hold of the opportunity for friendships. Several conversations went beyond surface level, and many friendships formed at this event notably carried over throughout the weekend, with players from different teams cheering for and encouraging one another throughout the tournament.

It was encouraging to see that all but one team attended the social night. In general, teams this year were a lot more willing to engage, which is something we were trying to push for.

Mr. John Burgess, Athletic Director

 

3D Coaching

While the players enjoyed their ice cream social, the coaches gathered for a meeting of their own, which was a new addition to the opening night festivities. ICSB parent, Mr. Josh Gleason, who helps with the Érd Baseball és Softball Club,  presented on 3D Coaching, which highlighted three dimensions of athlete development: physical skill, the mind, and the heart. He explained that this approach goes beyond developing athletic skill by intentionally engaging each athlete's heart, focusing on character and mindset alongside performance.

We were challenged to help our players connect their hearts and minds to their physical skills to help them shape their values in positive ways through the way we run practices and coach them in games. I love hearing ways that coaches can help students become successful in ways that go beyond sports and that what we do can have a lasting impact on them. 

Ms. Jessica Jenkins, Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

 

Live Stream Commentators in "The Doghouse"

Another new addition to the many moving pieces of the Winter Classic was the introduction of live commentators, Mr. Ben Bowden and Mr. Henry Dykes, to our live stream, making our viewers around the globe feel more part of this year's happenings. Their personality, pizzazz, and playfulness made them such a hit that, while many who could not attend watched from all over the world, even those present, Bulldogs and guests alike, listened in as they watched the games in person, not wanting to miss out on the heart and humor they brought to the viewing experience.

Every Single School said: the live stream is exceptional, and the commentary takes it to another level. All of them were amazed by the streams! Well done, Dáni, Ben, Henry, Alex, Dom, stat keepers, and all of you camera operators! 

Mr. John Burgess, Athletic Director

 

The list goes on, from the player's lounge to Middle Grades Students wiping the court at halftime, and so on. A heartfelt thank you to our Athletic Director, Mr. John Burgess, for organizing and running another successful Winter Classic! Thank you also to Ms. Rachel Stowell and Student Council for organizing the Pep Rally, Mr. John Cooper for Announcing, Ms. Laura Danneker for directing the Pep band, Irene K. for leading the MG Dance Team, Ms. Anna Spence for sponsoring the UPP Dance Team, Mr. Peter Lash, the Chaplain Team and S.A.L.T. for running the Player's Social Night, and Joe D. and Zsigmond B. and their band for providing live music, Mr. Josh Gleason for leading the 3D Coaching seminar, Dani L., Mr. Alex Konya, Mr. Dominik Kékesi,  the Stat Keepers, Mr. Ben Bowden, Mr. Henry Dykes and the A.V. Club for the live stream, Mrs. Tricia Fraser and the Library Team for the book Sale, Ms. Amy Leamon and team for the Coaches Hospitality Suite, the Junior Class and their Sponspors, Ms. Rachel Culbertson and Mr. Beni Kiss, for the snack shop, our amazing cleaning and maintenance crew, and the entire ICSB staff and community for their dedication and organization in making this tournament a success. 

We are so grateful for the way our entire community stepped up and gave their all, not only to make this a smooth-running sporting event, but to welcome our guests into a fun, loving environment, build real, lasting relationships, and leave them pondering what (or Who?) makes our school community different. 

It was a truly memorable and valuable experience for our team. Every person we encountered was welcoming and kind. The campus was impressively clean throughout the tournament as well (WAY TO GO CLEANING CREW). We are confident that the Winter Classic will work to promote our basketball program to our students, so we will have more students want to participate in the future. 

PHS Coach/Admin