At Liberty sports games, new freshmen, star athletes, band members, and even those disinterested in sports are able to come together to create an energetic display of school spirit. These moments are essential to our high school experience, offering the opportunity to unwind with friends after long days of hard work and to make memories with those we don’t always see in class.
However, what is the one group you rarely see included in these sporting events? Teachers. While us Liberty students get free admission with ASB, our teachers, the foundation of Liberty, surprisingly have to pay for tickets to these events, which can deter them from attending.
In every job, there’s supposed to be perks, and this should extend to teachers attending sports games. It’s time to reevaluate our sports ticket pricing and allow teachers free admission to show our appreciation and encourage their support.
As a working student, when I heard Liberty teachers were charged for tickets, I was genuinely surprised. It never occurred to me that teachers wouldn’t receive automatic entry into sports events. If I can get free drinks as a barista with only one year of experience, I assumed at least a “teachers discount” was written somewhere in their contract.
Some might argue I’m splitting hairs over this; after all, tickets only cost nine dollars. However, it’s not because I find the tickets expensive that I have an issue with it. It’s the mere existence of a ticket fee that I disagree with. To me, the nine dollars undermine the countless hours teachers spend supporting students and the school’s programs.
Put yourself in our teachers’ position. You’re already dedicating at least 40 hours a week to Liberty students and programs. In order to further support your students, you drive back to Liberty and then are greeted with an entry fee to watch your own students at your own school.
No matter the ticket amount, I would feel slighted. And that’s not even considering that many teachers live far or out of the district.
For nine dollars in admission, you’re communicating to teachers that their presence isn’t valued, undermining their importance within the Liberty community. I would rather Liberty be nine dollars short than be short of the opportunity to have a fun sports environment with teachers.
Looking back, when I got my first job as a barista, besides being paid, the most exciting part was all the discounted drinks I could try. Smoothies, snacks, tea–my coworkers and I tried almost everything on our work’s menu. It allowed me to suggest drinks to customers with confidence, and it made me feel better connected to my job. Part of the enjoyment of working comes from knowing that your hard work is rewarded and appreciated in ways that go beyond just a paycheck.
Having free access to games would not only recognize the hard work and commitment teachers bring to Liberty but also reinforce the sense of community within our school by encouraging teachers to attend games. Seeing teachers cheer for our school would make students and athletes feel seen and supported. When teachers are present at games, they’re not just spectators; they’re our biggest cheerleaders.
