It’s frustrating high school sports don’t matter for admissions when they are so hard to join here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

There are plenty of non-athletes who do the same thing. Generalizing like that shows how ignorant you are. The stereotype of the person who goes on a shooting rampage is a non-athletic person with no friends.

Sure there are plenty of non-athletes who do the same. But by the same token, there are plenty of non-athletes who have learned “Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.” Athletes don’t have any sort of lock or edge on these qualities. So your argument is moot. And you mooted it.

Of course people learn those skills in non-athletic settings. But, it is often commented that athletes do have an edge in those areas compared to the general population. There is a significant body of academic research which backs this up as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

There are plenty of non-athletes who do the same thing. Generalizing like that shows how ignorant you are. The stereotype of the person who goes on a shooting rampage is a non-athletic person with no friends.

Sure there are plenty of non-athletes who do the same. But by the same token, there are plenty of non-athletes who have learned “Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.” Athletes don’t have any sort of lock or edge on these qualities. So your argument is moot. And you mooted it.

Of course people learn those skills in non-athletic settings. But, it is often commented that athletes do have an edge in those areas compared to the general population. There is a significant body of academic research which backs this up as well.

What “general population?” Do you think a violinist in an orchestra doesn’t know determination? Do you think someone who works on a play doesn’t know teamwork? A debater doesn’t know failure? There’s nothing special about sports, except in the minds of people who have elevated them to a religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

Ah, yes, the academic that never learned about stereotyping is here to post ignorant things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

There are plenty of non-athletes who do the same thing. Generalizing like that shows how ignorant you are. The stereotype of the person who goes on a shooting rampage is a non-athletic person with no friends.

Sure there are plenty of non-athletes who do the same. But by the same token, there are plenty of non-athletes who have learned “Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.” Athletes don’t have any sort of lock or edge on these qualities. So your argument is moot. And you mooted it.

Of course people learn those skills in non-athletic settings. But, it is often commented that athletes do have an edge in those areas compared to the general population. There is a significant body of academic research which backs this up as well.

What “general population?” Do you think a violinist in an orchestra doesn’t know determination? Do you think someone who works on a play doesn’t know teamwork? A debater doesn’t know failure? There’s nothing special about sports, except in the minds of people who have elevated them to a religion.

Don’t hate the player, hate the game. Employers value college athletes over violinists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s interesting that many of you don’t let your kids play on the HS sports team. My kid would say that was the most fun part of playing their sport once they hit HS. They got to play with their closest friends (not usually on the same teams for travel), for their school where classmates could come cheer them on, working towards a collective goals as representatives of their community. And from playing club soccer they knew a few players on almost every opposing team. It’s a much more fun atmosphere and the season is like 3 months max.

I wish our child played for their high school. It would have made my life so much easier. Our child wanted to compete against the best players and teams. That ruled high school out completely.

You and your kid weren’t clever enough to realize that you can play for your high school AND whatever elite team they simply had to be on?

He was contractually precluded from playing high school soccer.

This is such a huge problem. Most of the players who go this “academy” route are not going to end up in any kind of lucrative pro arrangement. And you give up the HS experience. Shame on a structure that sets up contracts this way.

I know it’s hard to believe, but some athletes don’t care about a HS sports experience. They don’t see bypassing HS sports as giving up an experience.

As with everything else, a lot of truths. I know four kids, friends of my son, who bypassed HS for a club/ academy model. One became a pro player. The other three went to Division III colleges. Those three all now, at about age 25, regret not playing with their HS friends and say they would do it differently if they could do it over.

I have an actual son that bypassed HS sports and couldn’t be happier. He jokes that he finds all the old HS players hanging out together at one of the local bars when he comes home. They live in the past. It’s sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

Ah, yes, the academic that never learned about stereotyping is here to post ignorant things.

You do realize that I was responding to a bunch of stereotypes—just positive ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

Ah, yes, the academic that never learned about stereotyping is here to post ignorant things.

You do realize that I was responding to a bunch of stereotypes—just positive ones.

And you went completely low rent with a touch of racism. Proud moment?

[Anonymous]

If students stop their sport after high school it’s just another EC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If students stop their sport after high school it’s just another EC.

Which is all it is for most people and that’s perfectly fine. Also playing HS sports isn’t that hard if you go to a normal HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

Ah, yes, the academic that never learned about stereotyping is here to post ignorant things.

You do realize that I was responding to a bunch of stereotypes—just positive ones.

And you went completely low rent with a touch of racism. Proud moment?

Where’s the racism? Be specific.

[Anonymous]

We’re the only country where sports is a big part of the “college experience” and can be tied to college admission for some. Other countries manage to produce top athletes without making it part of the kids’ high school or college experience. I’m not saying that America should be the same way. However it is concerning when families dedicate so much expenses and time away from family life, rest, work to put their kids in youth sports, with the hope they’ll at least make the high school team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re the only country where sports is a big part of the “college experience” and can be tied to college admission for some. Other countries manage to produce top athletes without making it part of the kids’ high school or college experience. I’m not saying that America should be the same way. However it is concerning when families dedicate so much expenses and time away from family life, rest, work to put their kids in youth sports, with the hope they’ll at least make the high school team.

Parenting is about making decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of athletes, particularly excluding top level basketball and football, are generally relatively close to the rest of the student body. It is the high profile stories that get the most press.

And I would argue that the skills learned playing a competitive sport will serve many people better in life than most of the other characteristics prioritized by all of the ignorant people who love to hate on sports. Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.

I would rather hire an athlete with slightly lower academic qualifications but strong EQ for most jobs than some kid with 18 APs who has never watched TV or been to a sporting event, doesn't have a firm handshake and can't make small talk. I'm sure I will be slammed for this but I don't care.

You forgot domestic violence, rape, animal abuse, drug abuse, and gambling.

There are plenty of non-athletes who do the same thing. Generalizing like that shows how ignorant you are. The stereotype of the person who goes on a shooting rampage is a non-athletic person with no friends.

Sure there are plenty of non-athletes who do the same. But by the same token, there are plenty of non-athletes who have learned “Teamwork. People skills. Determination. Dealing with failure. Sense of humor.” Athletes don’t have any sort of lock or edge on these qualities. So your argument is moot. And you mooted it.

Of course people learn those skills in non-athletic settings. But, it is often commented that athletes do have an edge in those areas compared to the general population. There is a significant body of academic research which backs this up as well.

It’s often commented by people on this thread who want to believe that their precious mediocre athlete is deserving of special treatment.

Let’s see that academic research. Must be easy to find since there’s a significant body of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s interesting that many of you don’t let your kids play on the HS sports team. My kid would say that was the most fun part of playing their sport once they hit HS. They got to play with their closest friends (not usually on the same teams for travel), for their school where classmates could come cheer them on, working towards a collective goals as representatives of their community. And from playing club soccer they knew a few players on almost every opposing team. It’s a much more fun atmosphere and the season is like 3 months max.

I wish our child played for their high school. It would have made my life so much easier. Our child wanted to compete against the best players and teams. That ruled high school out completely.

My son and many of his HS teammates also played ECNL. Some are now playing in college. He still had way more fun playing for his HS. I know MLSnext doesn’t allow it but ECNL does. I hope your son finds great success off the field! Mine decided that since he wasn’t destined for the pros he’d go to the best school he could and play club in college and he’s having a blast.

Our son started in USSDA which eventually became MLSNext. His high school was a perennial championship contender but they would have lost to his club team 10-0. He was recruited to D1 and has since graduated.

And is he a professional soccer player?

He could have been, but not at a level that made financial sense. He realized it was time to start his career. He had a good run.

Sorry to question you, ma’am. Consider this your gold star and your certificate of validation (which clearly you desperately desire).

That’s the difference between us. There are no college stickers in the back window of my BMW. There weren’t any college athletic sweatshirts in my wardrobe. I never talked about it at gatherings unless directly asked, and even then I downplayed it. The reason I posted it here was to answer a direct question. Several of his teammates over the years went the “pro” route for $65,000-$75,000.

The only question asked of you was whether your kid was pro. Everything else you volunteered on your own and you seemed pretty desperate to do so. Perhaps you should have talked about it with people who actually know you so you didn’t feel the need to post on an anonymous forum.

That was not an honest question. It was meant to delegitimize our son’s sacrifice and effort to pursue his goals. It’s fine. It’s the standard defense mechanism for posters on college forums. Whatever gets you through the day.

You invited the question with your smug self satisfaction. Your son’s achievement, whatever it was, is not yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have several incredible doctors who work at top medical centers who are former high level college athletes - I literally trust them with my life. And I appreciate their athletic background as helping them to make decisions in stressful situations, and it often gives them a better bedside manner.

Considering the rest of the world doesn’t give breaks to athletes who want to be doctors you must think it’s amazing that they have any competent doctors at all.