middle school athletics

[titan84]

There is apparently a new policy of keeping 20 players on the middle school basketball teams. I'm not sure why this ridiculous policy is being applied to athletics. There are many athletes who have worked extremely hard for many years to earn the opportunity to play for the school team. Coaches are now forced to keep players who have neither the skill, experience, or commitment to be competitive. If we are going to lower the standards of athletics, then I propose we lower the standards in other areas as well. Why not lower the standards of the Honor Society so that more of our students are eligible to become members? Why not eliminate the honor of "first chair" in our orchestra? How about students sharing the lead actor/actress roles in the school play? How about multiple class presidents? Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? Our children need to learn that hard work and persistence over time are rewarded. Our community offers CYO and PAL teams for those who are interested in a variety of sports. Being a member used to be a privilege for those who have set a goal and worked hard to achieve it. This new policy completely disregards the hard work and sacrifice of those athletes that have done so.

[supportstudents]

I have had 3 kids pass thru the middle school athletic program with the last as recent as last year. I believe the logic for keeping that many kids is to keep as many involved in the program as possible as interests change as they get older. Middle School sports is not about winning or losing rather skill, social, and team development. They play the extra period or quarter in Middle School school to allow the more accomplished kids to play and compete. Hang in there, HS is right around the corner and it becomes more about wins and losses then.