Every sports team has a…Benchwarmer with a good attitude

t’s game time. Well, for most players. Her game time consists more of sitting down, cheering on the other players, and essentially warming up the bench. It’s the common game of the everyday benchwarmer.

Junior Jocelyn Vingerelli is on the varsity basketball team. Sort of. Of course, being on Varsity is an accomplishment by itself, but Vingerelli actually spends most of her time on the bench instead of on the court.

Even when she is asked if she has a game, she actually admits that she most likely won’t be playing.

“I usually say my team has the game,” she said “I’m really just cheering them from the bench.”

Though it may seem that sitting on the bench would take away from the fun of the sport, Vingerelli stays optimistic and supports her team through it all.

“All my friends are on my team and I like cheering them on,” she said.

Nonetheless, “benching it” still takes away from the full enjoyment of playing a sport, and like any other benchwarmer, Vingerelli still strives to get some play time.

“You want to get in for at least three minutes of clock time,” Vingerelli said. “It’s kind of boring to watch it from the sideline because I’m an active person.”

While on the bench, she may not be playing, but Vingerelli still maintains an important job. By supporting and cheering on the team from the bench, the team starts to play better.

“It’s [cheering and supporting] like a major part of games because you can tell the difference in how they play,” Vingerelli said. “If our bench starts cheering them on and promoting what they’re doing, they actually will play better; especially when we have a loud bench.”

Varsity boys volleyball Coach Patsy Malta would agree that the players on the bench have just as must responsibility as the players on the court.

“I think it is very important for them to be vocal and cheer for their team instead of sitting on the bench and pouting,” Malta said. “They’re a part of the team, and they have a job to do: to be supportive, to be cheering to just make those kids work harder.”

Being a benchwarmer may seem like less respectable job than actually playing, but benchwarmers have just as much respect as starters because of their strong dedication to the team.

“I have respect for them,” Malta said. “Just as much as my starters.”

Popularity: 1% [?]