Do most parents push sports as a ‘hook’ for college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally agree that you can’t entirely push told dc to play a sport, but yes, you can push them and I think it’s dishonest to say that this doesn’t happen at all. I also think it’s a bit dishonest to think that many parents don’t want to use athletics as an entry point into otherwise ‘reach’ schools. People deny it here, but in other contexts where the question isn’t as pointed, it clearly comes out. That’s fine, every family is entitled to make their own choices, but it is fairly obvious that this happens.

I responded previously to say you can't just turn your kid into a D1 athlete because you want to. I do not disagree with your bolded statement above, and I don't think anyone else has denied that here, but that is totally different. The point many of us are making is that if you set out at 8 years old pushing a sport on your kid in the hopes of getting your kid into Harvard, well that may well be harder than just really pushing the academics. Absolutely, when your kid is 15 and has been BUSTING THEIR BUTT in their sport for 7 years and has become an incredible athlete, all while working hard in school and getting straight As with high rigor so far, yes, of course those parents start to think that the kid's sport may be a useful hook for college. That is totally different than trying to create a D1 athlete where there is not already that talent, drive, motivation, and perseverance in the kid. You could be right that some parents may try this, but I have not seen it be successful. Not only do those kids not go D1, they usually quit well before college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing

this ^ no girl on earth wants to row - it’s mommy and daddy looking for that hook

[Anonymous]

Some of you just do not understand Ivy sports (a few do - see swimming posts). My DD chose Ivy, and the competition is excellent; maybe not as much depth as P4, but the very top people are outstanding and some are individual D1 national champions. DD is very good but not great, and she would have won her event last year in one power conference and in the Big East.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing

That’s kinda sad, no??

They dry those tears with $100 bills.

[Anonymous]

This sort of discussion wouldn't be complete without a discussion of Varsity Blues

https://time.com/6100715/varsity-blues-trial-college-sports/

The conclusion from the report above was that, certain elite sports were indistinguishable from fraud. They are basically just elaborate social stratification schemes, where parents buy kids success in sports one way or another controlling access to venues or access to training, so as to get access to universities.

[Anonymous]

Lots of times the kid loves the sport and wants to continue to compete, and compete at the collegiate level. If they aren't Olympic level status then sure, kid is not going to the top school for their sport.

[Anonymous]

Bc you're reading DCUM, where the goal of many parents and kids is an Ivy. Being good at a sport where players are needed can make it easier to get in. Going pro isn't the end goal; having the Ivy degree is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I push sport for health and knowing how to work as a team. In the world where kids are addicted to phones it’s a win.

+1 That's a really good point.

This is 100% it for us. There are no kids just wandering and playing outside in our neighborhood. How would my kids fill the 2-3 hours each day? Probably us going back and forth about screens. With sports, they’re in the real world, talking, laughing, having awkward moments. It’s the best we can do in this age. Added bonus - they have even less time for screens in their other free time because of sports.

[Anonymous]

I swam at an Ivy. Academics were important to me and I wasn’t good enough for Stanford or the other top academic/swimming schools at that time (think UVA now). So I chose an Ivy over other schools with better swimming programs but lower academics. It was life changing for me coming from the area and background that I came from. This was not at all motivated by my parents. I would love for my kids to play their sport at an Ivy or other top academic institution, but I know it’s extremely difficult, especially in their chosen sports, so academics are first for our family and we’ll see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course why do you think parents sign their kids up for rowing and fencing

As the parent of a kid who just started rowing we didn’t sign him up for anything. Crew doesn’t really start until high school and most kids are making their own sports choices by then unless they have hyper helicopter parents. An older friend who was enthusiastic about the sport suggested our son check it out. Turns out he’s a natural talent which the friend probably guessed. Height and strength being a good combo for crew. Being good at it makes it fun. He’ll probably continue. Coach has already made talked to him about recruitment which surprised me. Didn’t know recruitment can start as early as sophomore year.

[Anonymous]

It seems like being good at sports is even more helpful for career and dating success than college success. If you’re being Machiavellian about it.