Doyle Brunson, the professional poker player once said, “Poker is war. People pretend it is a game.”

This saying not only applies to poker, but it also goes for many other activites. Having read this quote. varsity softball Coach Travis Unzicker adapted it to softball.

As the softball team gears up for a new year after the previous successful season, they know they already have a winning hand because of one special tradition. This ritual of their’s helps remind the coach and the players that they are all part of the Millard North softball team and that they all belong.

This distinctive motivation is done through poker chips. Unzicker began this tradition when he began coaching here four years ago, back in 2019.

“I wanted something tangible that the girls would receive when they made the varsity team each year,” Unzicker said.

Every year, the girls on the varsity softball team receive poker chips to keep with them during games. These chips are personalized to MN as they are colored white and blue, with a mustang and horsehoe image on either side. Additonally, there is a motivational hashtag to push them not only through games but through practices, as well.

“The poker chip is something I hand out to every player that makes the varsity team,” Unzicker said. “The girls now put the chip in their pockets for all games, and we have made it a calling to “Earn the Chip” for all players.”

Not just that, but the chip is more special than just a good design. Sophomore Macey Jarose explained the chip has sayings on it to help them work together.

“On the poker chip, (we) have our sayings on it, and these sayings help us stick together during an intense game because it lets us know that we are all playing as one team, not as individuals,” Jarose said.

The tradition gives the girls a bigger sense of team, of something that they’re all in together. Earning a poker chip can be akin to really earning a spot on the varsity team, and the chip gives you a sense of accomplishment that you made it and earned it.

“It has kind of grown over the years and has become a huge culture piece that gives the girls a sense of pride for earning a varsity letter,” Unzicker said.

The softball team definitely agrees with Unzicker on that.

“That to our team brings us all together and shows that we earned our spot on varsity,” senior Addyson Hobza said.

This tradition is not anything common. In fact, it’s unique to Millard North softball and was brought to the school by Unzicker himself.

“I have never heard of anyone having this tradition. I wanted something original to start at Millard North,” Unzicker said.

Unzicker’s dedication to Millard North and the softball team is especially evident by this tradition. He has in the past coached football, baseball, and basketball, but softball is the one that he sticks with at MN.

“I love the relationships earned from the team. [They] drive me to always try harder for them.”

These relationships make the bond between coach and team stronger. Both work hard to make each other better.

“He believes in us and wants us to succeed. Something I love, while we are playing a game, is that he is the biggest competitor I know and hates to lose just like me. It’s like he’s playing with us out there!” Jarose said.

Players also support Unzicker and his drive to make the player the best that they can be.

“He knows what he’s doing, and he tells the girls what they need to work on,” Hobza said.

With this unquestionably unique tradition bringing players together, the softball team, led by coach Unzicker, are set up for a successful season. No matter the outcome, however, we know that the team chemistry has hit a home run with this custom.