Surehitter wrote:Under the Radar - You are incorrect NAIA and Div 2 do give but in a differnt way. Usually they call it somthing else like a waive of tuition and fees plus you get first choice at the classes you want or need.
AM Softball - Let's just teach the kids at the middle school level !!! The level of sports at the middle school level is a joke anyways as you can't have anyone left out or have there feelings hurt. Just another huge waste of money.
No sports in Middle school let's just teach them (the real athletes are playing outside of school )
No sports at Community Colleges
Actually, at my middle school, there are zero fees and zero costs with it at all. We use teachers as coaches and refs and we use district vans so I guess that is the only cost but well worth it. In middle school, we start the foundation of team sports, even in the little ways we do. We teach rules, regulations, teamwork, and how to deal with emotions when the game is intense as well as numerous other things...all life skills. We don't keep everyone at our school but we allow the others to come and practice and try to earn a spot on the team if they didn't make it. Another lesson to work harder in sports and life.
Our music classes come out and perform as the band (taking their learning into a real environment). We have cheerleaders and a dance squad. We have fans...tons of fans...and it is a lot of fun, especially for kids that age that are shy but can excel in an area and have a chance to show everyone.
Nobody said the level was good but there are very few "elite" athletes anyway at any level. The percentage of average athletes definitely outweighs them. To me, what you are saying is if you're not good enough, you don't deserve it. I don't have that attitude because every player is important and sports teach a lot of different things and are GREAT for middle school kids self esteem. They have friends, teammates, social fun. It is obvious you have not taught at a middle school or you would understand children and the dynamics of teaching and what they really need to succeed. Why do companies LOVE athletes?
Sports help kids do better in school because they focus more to stay eligible...which equals better learning, higher education, smarter decisions...which equals a better world. It is all intertwined in my mind. Not everyone is gonna go to a D1 so JCs help them focus on being student-athletes, which makes them all better people. What motivation will any of these kids have left after we take everything they enjoy away?