An old worn-out soccer ball that has been torn apart at the seams, with big bold black letters on it spelling out “the Pat Hat.”
The LHS girls soccer coach, Abby Berke, and other coaching staff came up with the idea of the Pat Hat four or five years ago when the seams of an old practice soccer ball completely split in half.
“We were about to toss it when the idea came to cut it where it split and make it into the gorgeous hat that it is today, with its label and ever-watchful eyes,” said Berke.
The Pat Hat is awarded to a select number of players after each game, and during the summer, after each day of camp. There are multiple people nominated by the coaching staff, and then a final small group of girls is chosen to win. Getting awarded the Pat Hat means that the player portrayed the core values of the LHS girls soccer team, which are effort, respect and inclusiveness. They could also get the Pat Hat by doing the little things, such as picking up trash, cheering on their teammates or having a good work ethic.
“It’s given to the athletes that really stand out to us that game for being a positive asset to our team,” said Berke.
Berke and the coaching staff try to nominate and pick different players for each game so that everyone gets a chance to win. After choosing the winners, the LHS girls soccer Instagram page posts both the nominees and the winners. Being a part of the photo shoot was some of the winners’ favorite part.
“There is no greater honor than winning the Pat Hat and participating in the photo shoot, so my hope is that it inspires athletes to do their best on and off the field, even when they think no one is watching,” said Berke. “I feel accomplished and that I have done the best that I could for my team,” said LHS senior Ava Hurt.
Hurt, one of the team captains, has won the Pat Hat four times in her four years of playing for the LHS girls soccer team.
“I think the Pat Hat makes people play harder and be more engaged. I also think that players try to encourage each other and help each other win the Pat Hat if they have never won it,” said Hurt.
Berke and other coaching staff came up with the Pat Hat as a way to motivate the players to play harder, have a good attitude and work ethic, pick up their teammates if they make a mistake and execute the game plan to the best of their ability.
