By: Connor Helmke, '21
Woosh Week has been an annual tradition celebrated at Holy Cross for decades. It is known as a spirit week that recognizes the basketball team among students and faculty at Holy Cross. The time has come around for another Woosh week with familiar traditions like the end-of-the week pep rally and the Wizard of Woosh. Activities are also a tradition of Woosh week but change yearly. This year, a basketball net was set up and students would take a half-court shot with the hopes of making it to receive free prom tickets, and a Cheeto-eating contest will also be held during the pep rally.
In addition to the fun activities and the big basketball game during this highly anticipated week, the Wizard of Woosh also graces Holy Cross with his mysterious presence via the announcements. To everyone on campus, he is the beholder of the location of the coveted golden coin – a tradition traced as far back as 1975. Each morning, during Woosh Week, he recites his poetic riddles to serve as clues for the students who eagerly hunt all over campus for the coin to collect a monetary prize. This tradition has become one the students eagerly anticipate during this time of year. The Wizard of Woosh has gone through many forms and iterations over the years, but one thing remains the same, the spirit of the mysterious wizard lives on and is one of Holy Cross’ best kept secrets.
Coach and History teacher, Michael Arvites, a Holy Cross alumnus from 2004, has experienced Woosh Week both as a student and now, teacher. When Coach Arvites talks about the week, it seems like he has experienced everything there is about the exciting event. When asked what it’s like being a teacher during such a festive time, Coach Arvites said, “It’s a lot different. I still enjoy the energy and games at lunch, and as a coach I look forward to the game and pep rally. I’d love for it to get bigger and to have even more students participate each day. As a teacher, my favorite thing is the spirit, the rebirth of excitement on campus.” When asked about his student life during Woosh Week, Coach Arvites said, “Whoosh week has always been pretty special to me. As a student in the middle school, I loved the Wizard of Whoosh and his riddles. For whatever reason his voice seems to mysteriously change throughout the years. In 7th grade I solved the riddle by complete luck!”
Coach Arvites was also on the basketball team when he was a student at Holy Cross and said, “Being on the basketball team was great during Woosh Week because this was the one time of the year when we [the basketball team] are really recognized. There were games and mini games every day followed by our very own pep rally. As a player, it was really special because it generally went with a huge game and student turnout.”
Woosh Week is a winter tradition that unifies the school. Once football ends, the school hibernates for the winter it seems, and Woosh Week is the release. It’s a time for students to get excited again and reenergized for the rest of the year. This celebration is more than just a spirit week, it’s a tradition valued by all who experience and remember it whether you’re a student, teacher, or alumnus. Woosh Week will continue to symbolize what it means to be a part of the Holy Cross family and will be celebrated for many years to come.