Anonymous wrote:Non American here with an 8th grader. What is the letter and what do you do with it? So confused.

It is really just that - an actual letter.

They are made out of cloth with a felt backing and typically about six inches by 4 to six inches. They are typically sewn on to the front breast of a “varsity jacket” or “letter sweater”. Other patches are also affixed covering the student’s high school time.

Students are really only typically awarded one actual “letter”, and subsequent achievements/participation awards are memorialized by pins which you typically affix to the letter. Though, there are no specific rules, and you can buy additional letters on line. And, coaches typically will ask kids what they want - the letter or a pin.

I bought duplicate “letters” that the kids earned, framed them, and they are hanging on a wall.

The actual “letter” will be the first letter of the school name. And, it will be in one of the school’s colors.

I will add - varsity jackets and varsity sweaters are actually quite expensive. So, they certainly are not required. And, they are obviously very “traditional” in appearance. And, of course, no one wears them after you graduate from high school. Still, I suspect they are always just one of those things you can’t ever get rid of.
Certainly, my kids still have their’s.

Non American here with an 8th grader. What is the letter and what do you do with it? So confused.

Anonymous wrote:What does one do with this letter?

Also my question since letter jackets aren’t really a thing anymore?

What does one do with this letter?

Anonymous wrote:For us in XC it's being top seven + seniors.

And that's top seven at the end of the season; I.e., runners at Districts.

For us in XC it's being top seven + seniors.

Every school sets its own policies on when Letters are awarded. Sometimes just being on a team id enough. Sometimes there are performance standards.

Different schools also treat different activities as being eligible for letters which are not “official” sports such as marching band, sideline cheer, debate etc.

What schools are the above? Particularly interested in xc and track.

Anonymous wrote:For cross country- they have to run in at least 3 varsity events. So they have to be top 10 at some point in the season

Each school has its own criteria for awarding a cross country letter. At my daughter's school, earning a letter requires scoring points, which generally means finishing in the top five in a varsity race at some point. Sometimes, teams are sent to two different meets on a weekend with different runners participating, so more than just the top five athletes may earn a letter each season.

For cross country- they have to run in at least 3 varsity events. So they have to be top 10 at some point in the season

Anonymous wrote:A bit off-topic, but my public high school gave out academic letters for getting into the highest GPA category for one school year. I think 3.75-4.0 (highest possible). That was before grade inflation, weighted honors classes, and the disappearance of anything below Bs for decent college-bound students.

Extremely.

A bit off-topic, but my public high school gave out academic letters for getting into the highest GPA category for one school year. I think 3.75-4.0 (highest possible). That was before grade inflation, weighted honors classes, and the disappearance of anything below Bs for decent college-bound students.

In cross country the criteria for earning a letter can vary, but at my DDs school cross country runners can earn a letter by scoring points in a meet or through exceptional performances.

One event- track.

My kid got a varsity letter freshmen year by running one relay.

What is the criteria for earning a varsity letter on your fall sports teams, especially your no-cut teams?