High school sports offer more than just physical competition. For many student-athletes, they become a vital outlet for personal growth and emotional well-being. Many of our athletes at Chicago Bulls College Prep talk about how school sports help them manage their emotions and channel their energy in a more positive direction. Through teamwork and the shared pursuit of a common goal, our young athletes have not only found healthier ways to cope with frustration but also built strong, lasting bonds with their teammates. The camaraderie and sense of belonging that comes from sports are often just as valuable as the physical and mental benefits.
Check out what some of our student-athletes have to say about their time in sports at Chicago Bulls:
Lilian Alvarado | 10th Grade | Flag Football
Lilian Alvarado has been playing flag football for two years now and loves the bond she has with her team. She considers them family.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing flag football?
A: I have been playing flag football for two years now. I love how all the girls come together and support each other even though we had just met since it was a new team {this year}. It is like a little family; we look at each other as sisters.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to join flag football?
A: My strong advice would be don’t come on the team for drama and, most importantly, just have a great mindset.
Q: How has flag football helped you?
A: Flag football has helped me create bonds with other girls and control my mental state by being active. We all hang out before or after practice. I love spending time with my team. They cheer me up and make me laugh. It is always a great time being around them.
Dida Bravo | 12th Grade | Soccer
Dida Bravo has been playing soccer for 12 years and loves a friendly competition to keep him motivated to train and improve.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing soccer?
A: I have been playing soccer for 12 years, and one thing I know to be true is that you have to be passionate about the sport. My favorite thing about Bulls Prep soccer is the passion we all have for playing. We play in leagues outside of school, and we practice long hours every day, but it never feels like a long day. Time always goes by quickly when we play soccer.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to join soccer?
A: You should try your best and compete with the kids around you because it motivates you, especially if there is another soccer player or team who is better than you. It usually motivates me to train harder.
Q: How has soccer helped you?
A: Soccer has helped me meet different people and learn new techniques, but it is also a great stress reliever. When I play soccer, I get in the zone. It is important to have this outlet because I get to keep busy and condition my body. If I am having a bad day, I know I can leave it all behind on the soccer field.
Isaiah Mateo | 11th Grade | Softball
Isaiah Mateo has been playing softball and baseball for 10 years. It has helped him get through a lot in life and helps him stay motivated at school.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing softball?
A: I love playing softball and baseball. I have been playing for ten years now. I love the people that I’m with. The teammates and the coaches are all great people, and it’s fun! We have a great dynamic, and we motivate each other.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to join softball?
A: Some advice I would give would be to go and just be there because softball is a fun game. It might be competitive at times, but you can still have fun. Just give it your best and put in all your effort!
Q: How has softball helped you?
A: This sport helped me in every way. It motivates me to keep going and be the best I can be—not just in the sport but also in school. I have been doing better with being on time and keeping my grades up. I love that I can count on my teammates for encouragement, and I don’t ever want to let the team down, so I do my best to do well in school.
Amira Murray | 10th Grade | Rugby
Amira Murray has been playing rugby for two years and she loves the physical aspect of it. The sport makes her feel tough.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing rugby?
A: I have been playing rugby for two years now, and my favorite thing is my teammates. I also like getting tackled—it makes me feel tough knowing I can take a tackle.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to join rugby?
A: Be yourself, be authentic, and never let someone speak down to you because you got it. When you play rugby, you have to use your body, and sometimes your strength will surprise you. If the opposing team is trash-talking and trying to intimidate you, you can shut them down by taking them down on the field.
Q: How has rugby helped you?
A: Rugby has helped me with my anger issues. I would go off on people like my friends, family, and teachers. It was not okay. But I have been motivated enough to keep my composure and not get in trouble because I have rugby as an outlet now.
Damari Roscoe | 12th Grade | Football
Damari Roscoe has been playing high school football for four years and appreciates the sport because it gives him an outlet for his emotions.
Q: What is your favorite thing about playing football?
A: My favorite thing about football is being there for my teammates, supporting them, and being a leader for the team by having fun and being the hard-working person I am.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to join football?
A: Never give up. Always make sure you are doing the things that will help you be successful for the team, like showing up to practice on time and accepting constructive criticism from your coaches and teammates. You will only get better in the sport if you are open to feedback.
Q: How has football helped you?
A: Football helps me take a lot of anger out when I am not able to do it off the field. This is important because I can avoid getting caught up in things that are going to bring me trouble. Instead of staying angry, I just play football and leave the anger on the field. It makes me feel better.
Armani Stuckey | 10th Grade | Cheerleading
Armani Stuckey has been doing cheer for two years now and appreciates how the sport has allowed her to come out of her shell and meet new people.
Q: What is your favorite thing about cheerleading?
A: My favorite thing about cheer is cheering at the football and basketball games with the squad. I get to do it with the rest of my teammates, and we hype up the crowd and teams. I also love our cheers, especially the cheers we practice a lot.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to join cheer?
A: Some advice I would give to someone who wants to join cheer is to be yourself and be confident.
Q: How has cheer helped you?
A: Cheer has helped me because I used to be really shy and didn’t want to talk to people, but cheer helped me build bonds with people I did not know. Now, I hang out with the team. We will go out to the movies or go eat, anything really. We also make sure we are in good standing so we are eligible to cheer together. I love that we have each other’s back.
