At Manual, the roar of the crowd during a football game or the buzz of excitement before a basketball tipoff is a familiar sight. These well known sports enjoy massive support with packed student sections. But what about the teams that compete without the spotlight–no cheering crowds, no school-wide buzz and little recognition for their efforts?

While their games may not be hyped on social media, athletes in sports like lacrosse, bowling and field hockey are putting in the same hours of training, competing at the same high levels and representing Manual with the same pride and commitment.

“I play field hockey, and I’ve been playing for almost 11 years…we’ve had some small moments of recognition, but for such a successful program a lot of our wins and individual/team milestones go unnoticed. We’ve had some really big wins and player achievements that aren’t recognized and our crowds at games are usually really small.” Dawson Packwood (12, HSU) said.

Sammie Haden (12, J&C), who’s been playing lacrosse for seven years, shared similar sentiments.

“I think lacrosse is still growing a lot so it can be pretty underappreciated in general. I don’t think people realize how fast-paced and exciting the game can be—for both boys and girls… we beat Assumption at home this year and it was a pretty exciting game, but we didn’t get a whole lot of attention from that win,” Haden said.

Bowling, often stereotyped and misunderstood, has built a quiet powerhouse at Manual. Riley Roberts (12, J&C) joined the team her sophomore year and helped lead the girls’ team to a second place finish at the KHSAA state championships this season.

“Everybody thinks that the bowling team is kind of a bunch of freaks who don’t play other sports but our Manual team is actually the total opposite. It’s actually just a bunch of kids who play fall and spring sports who are looking for something to do in the winter,” Roberts said.

For athletes in less publicized sports, the lack of recognition is more than just a missed Instagram post–it’s a missed opportunity to feel celebrated for their commitment. Many of these athletes practice daily, often in off-campus facilities, and involve travel, long hours and physical and mental discipline.

“Every year I have been at Manual, we have won our region and made it to the state quarterfinals or semifinals. Our team puts a lot of work and preparation into the state tournament and I feel like a lot of it goes unnoticed. It would be nice to have a pep rally or even get to ring the bell on the announcements just to feel like we are supported and that our school is cheering us on,” Packwood said. 

“This year we came second for state for our girls team and that was just a big accomplishment for us because a lot of the girls on the team, we all started our sophomore and junior years so like all these other teams have been bowling since they’ve been in sixth grade…but I mean if football would have made it that far, it would have been like this big thing, we would have had like some big pep rally or something,” Roberts said.

This imbalance in attention isn’t new or unique to Manual. Football and basketball have long dominated the culture of American high school sports, partly due to their high attendance, school traditions and visibility. While the level of treatment is frustrating, athletes and coaches alike believe there are simple ways to make progress. Increasing coverage of underdog sports on school platforms, making regular announcements, sharing photos and encouraging students to attend lesser-known games could go a long way.

“I’d like to see underclassmen step up and advocate for the girls lacrosse program if they want big crowds to come out. That attention is gonna come from a team effort, and if that’s one of their goals in the future I think that’s awesome!” Haden said.

Organizations like Manual RedEye and Manual Athletics on Instagram also have a role to play in amplifying all voices within the athletic community. RedEye staffers have tackled hype videos that included underdog sports, and increased coverage featuring sports which were rarely covered the past couple of years, like golf and archery. 

Despite these challenges, among other things, athletes in unrepresented sports remain passionate about their game.

“I was named a captain this year and to the All State team last year, and even though girls lacrosse may not get a ton of attention in Kentucky or at Manual, the community the program has built is an uplifting one that has never made me feel unseen or unworthy!” Haden said.

While their games also may not always draw the biggest crowds or make the morning announcements, the athletes are continuing to show up, with dedication and pride. Their success proves that recognition doesn’t define value. As a school community, recognizing these teams is a step towards building a more inclusive and supportive athletic culture–one where every athlete, no matter the sport, feels seen and celebrated.