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?