Rivalries are some of the largest motivators in competition. Whether it’s academics or sports, rivals push each other to be the best.
The Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) is made up of three major schools within the district. Iowa City High School (City High) was the first of the three schools to be built in 1938. Later, in 1968, Iowa City West High School (West) was founded, which started the district’s initial rivalry. Recently, in 2017, Iowa City Liberty High School was added to the mix. For many years, these schools have been competing, fighting to be the best school in the city.
Jeff Gordon (he/him), a social studies teacher at Liberty, shared his opinion on the long-standing rivalry between West and City High from when he was a student at West.
“I hated them (City High). When I played football, playing against City High, it was like whoever won that game would win state. It was a huge motivator because it wasn’t just, ‘I’d like to win state.’ It’s, ‘If we don’t win, our dreaded rivals will,’” shared Gordon.
Matt Harding (he/him), a science teacher and boys soccer coach at Liberty, also talked about the concept of motivation that rivalries give student-athletes.
“There’s that ‘little brother feeling’ where you feel that you have to prove yourself. These guys (Liberty players) put a lot more effort and intensity and drive into those games”, stated Harding.
Although rivalries are still a huge part of the high school sports experience, they are starting to look different. Newer programs like club teams have made athletes from rival schools teammates.
“For a couple [of] years, I coached a group of guys that were from West, City and Liberty High. These kids play together all the time for about eight to nine months, and then maybe play each other once or twice during the school season. When I was a kid, it was foreign to be friends with your rivals,” discussed Harding.
The rivalry of the three ICCSD high schools is significant because of the history these schools have. The student-athletes have played a major role in the rivalries between these schools.
“These schools are rivals because they grew up playing with each other. I think it means a lot more when you’re able to play against the same people over again constantly trying to beat them,” said Gordon. “When it comes down to it, you have to be 100% for whatever team you’re on, or you probably shouldn’t be there.”
Even though Liberty is the newest member of the ICCSD rivalry, they have made their mark. Having multiple championship wins in athletics and being ranked fifth in the state of Iowa for academics, Liberty has made a name for itself and is working to be the best of the three schools.
“I really like rooting for the underdog,” disclosed Harding. ”There’s a difference between maintaining and keeping a tradition, versus just starting your tradition. That’s been the most motivating thing for me, trying to get Liberty High to the top.”
