Earning a HS Varsity 'Letter'

[ref1655]

let me preface this thread by acknowledging that traditionally (depending upon locale), varsity letters have been awarded to male HS athletes participating in (1) football/water polo/X-Country during the fall season; basketball/wrestling during the winter season; & baseball/track/swimming during the spring season. that said, girl's X-Country/Track/Basketball/Softball/Volleyball have also garnered recognition.

during a work break yesterday, a male colleague mentioned that men (or in this case, male HS athletes) should have an opportunity to letter in ...synchronized swimming. now I'm vaguely familiar with women's 'synchro' swimming & it might be the only Olympic competition exclusive to females (although some male synchronized swimming teams in the UK have tried to get it sanctioned as an Olympic medal sport). I responded that personally, I would have little interest in watching such an event let alone the women's competition & that some sports activities (i.e. golf, fencing etc.) are relegated to 'club activity'...though varsity letters are sometimes awarded (depending upon the school's athletic program).

so the question for you enlightened TRFers...is male synchronized swimming a valid sport worthy of receiving a varsity letter for? I would suspect that a water polo player/swimmer/diver might take issue with such an acknowledgment. as aforementioned, I would have no interest in watching (or even endorsing) such an aquatic spectacle...but perhaps others might?

[TheVTCGuy]

Uhm..... Uhm........... Synchronized swimming huh? Uhm..

I played sports in college on a partial scholarship, a pretty rough sport; you either had to be really big or run really fast. Guess which one I was

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Uhm..... Uhm........... Synchronized swimming huh? Uhm..
I played sports in college on a partial scholarship, a pretty rough sport; you either had to be really big or run really fast. Guess which one I was

all kidding aside, I'll bet you were pretty darn good at your chosen sport.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by ref1655

all kidding aside, I'll bet you were pretty darn good at your chosen sport.

Yeah, good point. I'll tell you one thing, I would have drowned if I tried to be on the synchronize swim team, I personally have a problem considering it a true sport, but.. What the hell do I know?

[locutus49]

Reminds me of those 1940's movies with Esther Williams, big show pieces of synchronized swimming. Not my thing.

[East Bay Rider]

HS varsity letters for everyone. Heck give them each a trophy too.

[cop414]

I triple lettered in track and field in HS, you earned that letter by scoring points in your races. I guess I don't understand how you "score" in synchronized swimming? Not to be un PC but it seems like everyone gets a "trophy" these days so no one goes home with hurt feelings.
I would disagree with your friend, just my .02.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

HS varsity letters for everyone. Heck give them each a trophy too.

My point exactly.

[GradyPhilpott]

Is anyone really clamoring for male synchronized swimming in high school?

I read an article about sports that are no longer Olympic sports.

There were some interesting ones that I'd never heard of before, but the one that left me scratching my head was solo synchronized swimming.

Isn't that an oxymoron?

There's an explanation here:

http://olympics.time.com/2012/07/16/...ized-swimming/

[Abdullah71601]

You get one for golf. Synchronized swimming seems at least as athletic as that. So, why not call it sport and letter in it?

When I was in HS boys could letter in all things pool related. Title IX made everyone equal.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Reminds me of those 1940's movies with Esther Williams, big show pieces of synchronized swimming. Not my thing.

as I recall, her co-performers were women...could you picture an all-male ensemble performing the same aquatic maneuvers alongside Esther Williams? something tells me that the concept wouldn't fly in regards to mainstream moviegoers or the general public.

[rr-nyc]

Varsity letters are for those competing at a varsity level sport, not JV or intramural. There are also more sports that can earn a varsity letter in addition to those the OP mentioned but I have never seen or heard of synchronized swimming outside of the olympics and it wasn't in my school.

When I went to high school, tennis, golf, and ski team were also a varsity sport.

[AzPaul]

If only I could unsee Paul's short shorts

[seand442]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

HS varsity letters for everyone. Heck give them each a trophy too.

Seems to be today's world. They should get a ribbon just for tying out.

[singe89]

I remember when I was the only sophomore my year to earn a letter in football. I was surprised to see there were 6 other sophomores that earned their letters...in BAND! Guess trumpet, violin and flute are the same as athletically as football. This was in 1998 in California.

[Livermoron]

Earned a varsity letter for football. Never bothered to get a jacket.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by singe89

I remember when I was the only sophomore my year to earn a letter in football. I was surprised to see there were 6 other sophomores that earned their letters...in BAND! Guess trumpet, violin and flute are the same as athletically as football. This was in 1998 in California.

maybe the solution/alternative is to offer 'designated' letters...one for recognized/sanctioned sports & others representing various activities & accomplishments such as band, scholastics, club activities etc.

the self-esteem movement of the late 1900s seemed to profess that everyone needs to feel like a winner or a viable part of something. an idealistic concept at best, it's not how the real world operates & hopefully this liberal philosophy/approach won't mess up kids later down the road when as adults they realize it's a 'dog eat dog' world & that sometimes, losers do exist.

[m1911a1]

I grew up in the mid-west of the United States where sports were (over) emphasized....
I was the first kid in my class to receive my letter....in Football, then Wrestling.
It means absolutely NOTHING to me today.....other than a complete waste of time listening to some rah-rah "coach" and other ego-maniacs including parents of athletes only worried about winning.
The physical activity was the only positive thing about it.

I wish I would have spent that time studying Guitar or Piano.

Synchronized Swimming?....sure, why not....

[andromeda160]

I saw a kid in my school who lettered in Snowshoeing lol. I personally think varsity jackets are the lamest piece of apparel to ever hit the market and there's no way in hell I'd spend $3-400 on a jacket to advertise my minor scholastic/physical achievements. If someone really wants to advertise their expertise in synchro swimming, more power to him. I'm sure it takes just as much training as any other sport.

[AzPaul]

Originally Posted by singe89

I remember when I was the only sophomore my year to earn a letter in football. I was surprised to see there were 6 other sophomores that earned their letters...in BAND! Guess trumpet, violin and flute are the same as athletically as football. This was in 1998 in California.

I'll say this ~ During my high school years, I earned several letters in several sports and didn't put in anywhere near the time or effort I've watched my two nieces put in during their years with the marching band. It's a demanding discipline, both physically and mentally. And doing well in their competitions, mean as much to them as any football game ever meant to me.

[Syed117]

I had one for tennis.

Does that count?

[Ferdelious]

Not sure I see the big deal with this. I'm 20 years out of high school and letter jackets really weren't cool back then. I doubt the jocks of today will make a fuss.

[Hpozzuoli]

I lettered all 4 years in high school. I went to a private school that had the "core" sports. With that said, if the sport is nationally recognized, considered a sport, and has some sort of national provenance then letters are fine.

[ref1655]

getting into a good college is even tougher these days. at one time, grades were scaled on a 4.0 (or less). now one can have a GPA that exceeds a 4.0 based on bonus points for outside activities...perhaps this is the reason for additional 'letter' awards/recognition?

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

If only I could unsee Paul's short shorts

You're just jealous.... Look at those legs!!!!!

And I only lettered in one sport in HS, Lacrosse, it's the only one I deserved, I sucked in Football, (unless they hand out letters for bench warming). It's just MHO but I believe that is the way it should be, letters, trophies, etc. Should be for those that excel. I am not taking away anything from someone that gives their utmost effort, but reserve the accolades for those that truly excel. We are WAY too concerned these days about hurting kids feelings etc that it dilutes the true awards. Is it fair? That can be debated, but it's the way life is, a good lesson.

That is all IMHO of course.

[Jim M]

Any kind of swimming, team or solo is fine by me for a varsity letter.

Even with Red Cross Life Guard certification I almost drowned in the ocean from a North Carolina hurricane caused undertow (not riptide) on Long Island in NY so I appreciate more than most watersports and the dangers of water.

For football in my HS one had to start to letter (jacket had to be purchased to put letter on), in DIII college all roster players who completed the season got a letter (no jacket).

[Thatguy]

I lettered in a couple of hs sports and also for swimming in college.
As far as a letter for men's synchronized swimming, if they are competing I say give a letter like any other sport. I would imagine it would take a lot of strength and training to do that in the water.


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