Politics in middle school sports teams?
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Anonymous
| To what extent do parents influence team selection in middle school sports? A kids mom called up the coach and asked him to give her kid a spot on the basketball team. The kid is short, mediocre player, overweight and unfit. But he got the spot over other more qualified kids. Is this common? |
Anonymous
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How do u know the mom called?
Where are the politics ? My kid is short fyi. 5’0 in 8th grade and plays on her MS team. She’s one of the best 2 players. |
Anonymous
| There’s “politics” in all kids sports. Of course middle school teams are no different |
Anonymous
| Do you think this parent is offering money to the coach? |
Anonymous
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I don't think "politics" is necessarily the right word.
I think it is possible that a parent talked to the coach and made a specific case for their kid along the lines of "My kid has had a tough year, and basketball is one of the main motivations for them to get up and go to school every day. Can you please take that into consideration?" No proof, obviously, but that would make sense to me and not rub me the wrong way if true given that the "stakes" are so low. |
Anonymous
Maybe something else? 
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Anonymous
| I am always amazed when parents engage in this kind of behavior and then the school/activity rewards it by giving them what they want. You're just encouraging them, and then they'll be worse and ask for more. |
Anonymous
| Very common. |
Anonymous
| That's really unfortunate. If a Coach is doing this, they should not be coaching. |
Anonymous
One of the kids on the team told my DS. My DS asked the kid whose mom called the coach and he admitted to him. Everyone on the team knows that now. |
Anonymous
Shameful |