Over the past few months, the Hoover High School swim team has taken part in a fundraiser supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. While swimming is often considered an individual sport, team involvement has allowed athletes to make a collective impact beyond competition. Together, the Hoover swim team demonstrated how high school athletics can play a role in community service and advocacy. 

While swimming can be an individual sport, the team environment creates opportunities for collective impact. This allows swimmers to engage in causes they may not have encountered otherwise. Junior student and swimmer, Brady May, shares what he has gained from the cause. 

“Swimming on a team has put these opportunities in front of me whereas without a team I would never know how to start or contribute to these causes bigger than myself,” he said. 

As May explains, the fundraiser also serves as a message of support to families affected by childhood cancer. 

“I hope that families who are affected by childhood cancer can see what our team does and appreciate that some high schoolers who have no connection to cancer are willing to shave their heads for a worthy cause,” he said. 

For May, recognizing the cause of St. Baldrick’s influences how he, as a swimmer, approaches his training. The fundraiser provides additional motivation during the season. 

“Knowing the cause gives me some sort of motivation and also gratefulness in the fact that I don’t have to deal with childhood cancer, but can use my talents and voice to make others aware,” he said. 

Sports often bring people together for a shared purpose. As May describes, events like this demonstrate how teams can create positive change. 

“Sports make a difference in the community in how inviting and inclusive they become, especially seeing more and more sports encouraging St. Baldrick’s fundraiser, and teams enjoy the fellowship and the fun of shaving each other,” he said. 

After May’s multiple years of participation, the impact of the fundraiser has become more personal to him. 

“This fundraiser and event has shaped me over three years since freshman year and will for another year as a senior, making me more aware of how it can be to lose hair, and be a clear example to others to spread awareness so that this childhood nightmare can gain the attention it fully deserves,” he said. 

The fundraiser has also strengthened team culture, adding deeper meaning to a familiar tradition and uniting athletes around a shared cause. Hoover High School swim coach, Mr. Richard Vaughn, gives a rundown of the tradition’s origin. 

“It has been a tradition of the boys team to shave their heads as a postseason team building activity over the years,” he said. “Mr. Pilati came to me a few years ago and suggested we combine the tradition with the fundraising efforts of St. Baldricks.” 

Seeing athletes use their platform in the pool to support childhood cancer research has been a source of pride for Mr. Vaughn, highlighting both individual character and collective responsibility.

“I am very proud to see them support this cause both as individuals and as a team,” he said. 

Motivation for participating goes beyond competition. Junior student and swimmer, Ethan Osborne-Roby, explains that the cause behind the fundraiser provides a deeper sense of purpose. 

“It’s not really JUST the fundraiser that gets me motivated, but just kids in general who don’t get the same chances I get,” he said. “God blessed me with the abilities to do what I can do and that’s what keeps me going. There are kids who are bedridden and are still keeping their faith, as they should, and they are stronger than I’ll ever be.” 

Osborne-Roby’s experience reflects the broader role sports can play. Athletics have shaped relationships both in and out of competition as he describes. 

“Sports have always been there for me,” he said. “From my soccer days, to my hot baseball nights, to my long hours in the pool. I have formed bonds with people I would have never thought I would be friends with. I think I’ll add this: It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, your background, or your faith. Sports are for everyone. I have experienced first hand how toxic a sport can get. I won’t name names but sports used to be fun and everyone felt included, Everyone is doing their best. We need to take advantage of these opportunities. I want to see a swim team full of a whole diversity of people, having fun and working hard.”

Over time, the fundraiser has shifted Osborne-Roby’s perspective, encouraging reflection on success and gratitude. 

“I have been humbled,” he said. “As someone who’s always striving for a best time or winning a race, and don’t get me wrong that’s always nice but, I’m more at ease with any outcome at a meet. And it is mainly because there are kids who don’t have the same opportunities as me so I need to take advantage of it and be grateful.” 

For Osborne-Roby, the fundraiser offers a new perspective, highlighting the importance of awareness.

“I just hope it raises awareness,” he said. “When I lived in Maryland there wasn’t any sort of fundraiser like this, so I’m very grateful I get to be a part of it here.”