Photo courtesy of Sonya Carrizales
“Big,” Ashley Jiminez ’21, posing with “Little,” Emese Nemeth ’23.
BY SHLOKA GIDWANI ’22
The Mount Holyoke Swim and Dive Team has a yearly tradition that follows the College’s legacy of “Bigs” and “Littles.” The team captains assign returning athletes to first-years and new members. During the week preceding the Swim and Dive Alum Meet, “Bigs” anonymously leave their “Littles” presents, like candy, craft supplies and stationery, in the varsity locker room. Then, on the last day of Big/Little Week, the day of the Alum Meet, “Bigs” reveal themselves to their “Littles,” and a commemorative photograph is taken.
This year, the Athletics Department initiated a wider Big/Little program for all varsity student-athletes. Erica Lemm, the Associate Director of Athletics, introduced signature events as part of the Peak Performance and Leadership Academy for each class of student-athletes. Since first-years and juniors happened to have most of their events at the same time, a reception was planned afterward called the Big/Little Reception. Although Lemm never planned to initiate a Big/Little program, she was encouraged to do so after seeing the success of the Reception.
“The Athletics Department has planned one event per month for the group to participate in together as well as provided all participants with a list of ideas of things they can do on campus together,” Lemm said. “The planned events through the department are things such as a pizza party and then watching a contest together, s’mores at the bonfire pit and a game night.”
Head Coach of the Swim and Dive Team, David Allen, said that Big/Little week is an important tradition for the team.
“The reason we do it is to build a bond between the new team members and returners,” he said. “It gives them someone they can talk with specifically and support them in the transition to college and the team.”
“I personally love having Bigs and Littles on the team,” Samantha Nemivant ’20 said. “As a first year, it makes you feel noticed and appreciated... I try to catch as many reactions from newbies as possible. I love chatting with them, and I try to get them to guess who they think their Big is.”