After graduating high school, most students come to college looking for new interests to focus on.

But for those that love sports, it doesn’t take much convincing to rejuvenate their energy and excitement towards their high school’s current teams. Those students want to still feel the atmosphere from when they used to play or watch games.

Students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana hold ties to their roots and share their knowledge from years past to the community in and around their hometown. Some are willing to share their perspective on experiences they enjoyed in and around high school sports.

“I keep up with my high school’s basketball teams, and I just love the game,” said Daviion Telsee, junior communications major. “I really enjoy watching the sport as a whole and just being able to give back and show love to my school with my skills means so much to me.”

Telsee said he’s still learning the sports media side of things, especially when it comes to basketball. As far as keeping up with sports and enjoying the game, Telsee said he just wants to give back to his school.

Caroline Bland, senior communications major, said she keeps up with her former school, C.E. Byrd High School, in football, volleyball, girls soccer and baseball. With her previous background was in sports medicine at Byrd, Bland’s interests in her hometown sports go more than just the games.

“I love seeing how well the younger ages do,” Bland said. “They have the same coaching, but they all take it differently so the outcome can always surprise you.”

The younger generation of athletes definitely brings hope and a sense of excitement in every high school game, match and event. Being back on your home turf or court creates a deeper appreciation for having the opportunity to showcase your skills as a student athlete.

“I follow up with my high school’s basketball team since it’s the one I’m most interested in,” Landon Stephens, junior business administration major, said. “I made great memories playing with my teammates and I love my coach who still coaches there. He made my work ethic rise tremendously.”

Some people take advantage of leaving home to find a life for themselves, but for those willing to come back and enjoy a hometown atmosphere, coming back to the place you once were rooted in can bring memories from past seasons and culminate in a reminiscing feeling that lasts a lifetime.