CARLSBAD UNIFIED CONNECTIONS

Tradition and Innovation

Lancer Day and Hoopcoming

Fireworks, football, face-painting, and fast-stepping basketball players? These are parts of Lancer Day at Carlsbad High School and Hoopcoming at Sage Creek High School. These events exemplify Carlsbad Unified’s pride in its history and traditions, and the award-winning school spirit that our students display.

Today is Lancer Day, the traditional celebration that brings the entire city of Carlsbad together for Carlsbad High School’s 66th Homecoming. It is a rousing event at a school renowned for its Loud Crowd, named the Most Spirited School in the Nation in 2018 and the Open Division winner of ​the CIF Battle of the Fans in 2024.

Festivities began with an assembly in Lancer Plaza, featuring performances by the CHS Orchestra, the Lancer Choir, the CHS Cheer team, and the CHS Dance program. The 2024 Homecoming Court was presented, and the Lancer Day King and Queen were crowned.

The traditional Lancer Day Parade kicked off downtown at 2 p.m., led by Grand Marshal Peter Manzi, Carlsbad Unified’s Teacher of the Year and a San Diego County Teacher of the Year. The parade presented many groups from Carlsbad High and lots of students from middle and elementary schools across the school district.

The highlight of the day is the Homecoming Football game against Mission Hills. The JV game will begin at 4:30, and the Varsity game kickoff is at 7. The halftime show will headline the introduction of the Court and special performances by CHS’s award-winning Band, Dance, and Cheer groups. Lancer Day culminates with a fireworks display at the end of the game.

In its 12th year, Sage Creek High School is busy creating its own traditions. Rather than a Homecoming football game, SCHS celebrates Hoopcoming basketball games in January. Hoopcoming is a vibrant annual tradition that brings together students, staff, community, and even some alumni, for a full day of festivities.

The Sage Creek ASB team decks out the school in green and gold, and runs a popular face-painting booth all day. The Hoopcoming Rally celebrates all winter sports while spotlighting both the Girls and Boys basketball teams. A highlight of the rally is a fun dance performance, choreographed by the Sage Creek Dance Company, that showcases players from both basketball teams performing alongside the dancers. Another high point of the rally is the introduction of the Hoopcoming Court and the crowning of the 9th, 10th, and 11th grade Royalty.

Students get out of class early to enjoy the much-awaited Hoopcoming Carnival, which features club-sponsored carnival games, food vendors, and other fun activities.The lively atmosphere of Sage Creek’s carnival builds community among CUSD’s elementary and middle school students who are invited to come and enjoy the festivities.

The carnival's high energy serves as a perfect build-up to the evening's games. The carnival ends at the tip off of the Girls Varsity Game, with halftime entertainment provided by the Sage Creek Dance Company and an interactive activity hosted by the Sage Creek ASB Team. During halftime of the Boys game, the Senior Hoopcoming Court is escorted in by its VIPs as the crowd awaits the announcement of Senior Hoopcoming Royalty.

The Bobsquad, SCHS’s student section and conference champions of ​the CIF Battle of the Fans in 2024, cheers on the athletes. This year Sage Creek is thrilled to welcome to the mix a Cheerleading Club that now boasts over 20 members and that will add even more spirit to this much-anticipated event.

Carlsbad Unified honors these engaging traditions that build school spirit and student involvement. Congratulations to the Lancers on their Homecoming. We look forward to celebrating with the Bobcats in the winter.

Enjoy these photos from last year’s events.