Loomis Chaffee’s Boys Varsity Soccer team is marking a historic season with a near-perfect record, now pushing towards the Founders League Championship. Behind their success lies a combination of competitiveness, brotherhood, and tradition that shapes the team into what it is today.

Simon Catrini ’28, a new addition to the program this year, shared how the team’s tradition of playing a “bumper game” the day before a match embodies the team’s competitiveness. Bumper games are small-sided games with extra “bumper” players on the sidelines who assist the players on the field. “They’re super fun and competitive, and they help you set the mindset before the game,” Catrini said. He credits the tradition for helping him grow both individually and as a teammate, allowing the community to build “a team culture of fun, grit, and readiness.” 

Furthermore, Head Coach Scott Halpern mentioned how the addition of creating assigned teams before the season and keeping records of standings has helped make the bumper game more competitive. These factors also make the games more interactive and engaging, serving as a great way for players to build relationships with each other, regardless of their grade. 

While training and preparation are essential in team bonding, the brotherhood that defines the team extends beyond the field. Players are often seen together in the dining hall, supporting other Loomis teams as a group, and even in the locker room. For example, Nathan Gritzmacher ’26, one of the three captains of the team, introduced a team tradition where captains sing “Sweet Caroline” in the locker rooms before matches as a way to get everyone excited and maintain the high, supportive energy. 

These connections, Coach Halpern said, are precisely what separate a good team from a team with good players. “The biggest difference maker is the brotherhood and the relationship between players and coaches, and that culture is the X-factor for the team to come out with a win during hard matchups.” 

Gritzmacher also emphasized how their culture sets a good foundation for the team. Specifically, the culture is able to keep the team grounded and focused through encouraging close relationships between coaches and players. “Our coaches set the standards and always remind us to stay true to the process,” Gritzmacher said. Not only that, he even mentioned how Coach Halpern constantly reminds the team that “talent only takes [one] so far, and the success comes from how [the players] play together as a team.” 

For players like Catrini, joining such a competitive and tight-knit program has been both exciting and inspiring. “Even if I don’t play in every game, it has been an incredible opportunity to learn and grow. The support from teammates and coaches really makes you want to get better every day,” said Catrini. 

Although it can be daunting for new players to join a competitive team with so many returners, the Boys Varsity Soccer program ensures that even new players can fit into the team without a problem. Specifically, Coach Halpern and Gritzmacher both concurred that the off-the-field relationships have helped the new players to fit well within the team. 

For the boys team, their standing core values are effort, discipline, respect, and grit. As the Pelicans continue to push for the last stretch, the Founders League championship, their focus remains clear: stay humble, united, hungry, and in the process.