This weekend marks the 147th Fall Andover/Exeter competition, one of the greatest high school rivalries in the United States. As the yellowing fall leaves drift through the air and the crisp chill of autumn seeps into our clothes, sports teams from Andover and Exeter come together to compete in what is often one of the most important matches to close out the season. Yet A/E weekend is more than just a demonstration of athletic ability: it also marks a special opportunity for members of the Andover community to step back and recharge, to cheer or compete in the stadiums with blue adrenaline running through our veins, to paint our faces in shades of cobalt, don our Andover gear, and unite in the battle against the Big Red. Yet despite this, the rivalry seems to have lost its glimmer in recent years. Students feel weighed down by the pressure of major assessments and impending deadlines before and after the weekend; spirit week participation is declining (with, it seems, the exception of Exeter Geek Day); and there’s a notable lack of Andover A/E traditions (Exeter has a bonfire…!). This weekend, let us reflect on what this century-old rivalry truly means not only for our campus but for ourselves as well — our Andover pride, our high school lives, our youth.
The administration’s approach to A/E centers around the idea of friendly competition — and maybe with a little too much emphasis on the friendly in comparison to our rivals and not enough of encouraging the competitive spirit. Much of the official rhetoric surrounding A/E highlights respect and rooting for Andover instead of against Exeter, which is rightfully essential to cultivating a kind and conducive environment for competition during A/E weekend. Yet this can be difficult. As insults and jabs are thrown in the heat of the moment, those who strictly adhere to the administration’s guidelines may feel as if they are constantly having to act as “the bigger person” during A/E. While necessary to the extent of maintaining a safe and respective environment, over-suppression of competitive spirit towards our rivals diminishes the energy around A/E and the willingness of students to invest their time and energy into the weekend’s events. In light of the warnings and etiquette rules hanging above our heads during A/E, perhaps it is helpful to consider what purpose A/E serves for us.
A/E is a rare culminating moment of school pride, athletic prowess, and cherished community. Sports teams get to showcase their hard work and efforts from over 11 weeks of training, students get to celebrate a term spent working and learning tirelessly in and out of the classroom, and the campus is given an exuberant invitation to gather under the name of Big Blue. A/E exists to cultivate this special feeling of solidarity, of genuine pride and heartfelt support. At the same time, it teaches us valuable lessons about winning and losing that apply not just on the playing field but in our daily lives as well. Sometimes, the reality is that hard-fought battles don’t always end in victory; sometimes, luck ends up on our side; sometimes, we are faced with unexpected challenges that require us to adapt. But regardless of what the scoreboard says, it is the support we extend to our peers and the exhilaration of rallying together around shared school pride that propels us forward and helps us grow. Furthermore, the A/E rivalry is more than just a long-established tradition — it’s a milestone in the Andover student’s high school journey. It’s a chance to take pride in how far we’ve come, to celebrate the friendships, challenges, and growth we’ve lived through. Standing side by side with fellow students in the athletic stands or sprinting shoulder to shoulder down the field, we realize that the essence of A/E is not necessarily about beating Exeter, but about feeling pride for the school that has become our second home and supporting the friends who’ve become our second family.
This A/E weekend, indulge in the gift of uplifting our friends, classmates, and dormmates who are on the courts and fields. Instead of using the weekend to dogpile on Exeter and their athletes, humor yourself and lean into Dean Esty’s advice. Our fan signs can inspire our classmates to serve the winning ace. Our energized chants can motivate players to score the winning goal, or push through the finish line. Embrace the camaraderie with all your heart. Immerse yourself in the spirit of friendly competition. Most importantly, wear Andover blue with pride.
