Benefits from doing a sport

Are there any benefits of doing a varsity sport like rowing or even a club sport such as fencing? I have been fencing throughout high school but I would like to consider a new sport like light weight crew. I heard there were some benefits for joining a varsity sport but do club sports get the same benefits?

USNA2017 said:

Are there any benefits of doing a varsity sport like rowing or even a club sport such as fencing? I have been fencing throughout high school but I would like to consider a new sport like light weight crew. I heard there were some benefits for joining a varsity sport but do club sports get the same benefits?

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I was a USMA Class of 2017 applicant, so I can only speak from my experience. And that answer I found was no. The only points you get for your application in regards to sports is 1. involvement, and then 2. lettered positions. So doing a sport nets you a certain amount of sports, and being lettered in that sport gets you more.

I feel like the system should be revised to incorporate sports which do not inherently have lettering systems. For instance, martial arts: I am a black belt in my martial art that I have practiced for 4+ years. Despite teaching classes at my kwoon, private lessons, volunteering for kids' classes, and sitting on testing boards, my athletic involvement/leadership was deemed less competitive than other applicants who received letters in sports such as football, lacrosse, etc. I would argue that my sport is just as physically intensive as soccer, and obviously better prepared me for military combatives and combat. I would also argue it is far more mentally challenging due to the immense amount of knowledge I am required to maintain at all times to not only hold my rank, but teach it, and the level at which I must perform it is impeccable due to my leadership position in my kwoon. However, due to the points based system the academies use these factors do not count towards the WCS of a candidate, and thus they are only interested in candidates who can collect as many letters as possible.

In short, it's not about doing what you love it's about racking up the points based on the admissions' paperwork. And that involves lettering, which club sports do not usually provide.

Perks, you mean?

There's perks. Depending on the varsity/club sport, you'll miss some formations, you'll skip out on some less desirable plebe training, etc.

You'll also be more exhausted than the average NARP. You'll have less time to get work done. You might find yourself losing some liberty or leave time if your team has practice.

I am not clear on your question. Are you asking: 1) How does sports help your application when applying or 2) What are the differences once at the academy between participation at the varsity vs. club level?

Questions to answer

USNA2017,

I happen to know crew well so I'll ask this.

What is your best 2k erg?

People that row have length in their body, is this something you have?

Do you have experience rowing?

The Navy crew team is quite good, they race against some serious schools like Harvard, UPENN and the like.

To echo what nuensis said, yes, there are alot of perks to being a varsity athlete. You miss out of alot of formations/parades/briefs and stupid plebe stuff like SMT, noon training, morning workouts, etc... You'll also befriend many of upperclassmen who can, in turn, keep your civilian clothes or buy you steerage. Depending on the sport, you can go to your locker room and sleep or rate media. Your team, not your company, becomes your family. So yes, many benefits.

Club athletes don't enjoy the same privileges as varsity athletes (Unless its Rugby/Hockey). Club sports, such as fencing/martial arts/pistol, will still eat up your sports period every day but rarely excuse you from stuff.

My advice: Give crew a shot during PS. Unless I'm mistaken, half the crew team is made of walk-ons. Crew is a huge time commitment, though. During the ACYR, You're up early every morning and many of your weekends are usually shot. Yet it pays off in the end and your plebe year becomes alot more enjoyable.
Hope this helps

Hi,
I'm sorry for the confusion and yes I meant perks for doing a varsity sport at Naval Academy. Also, would participating in a varsity sport still give me time to participate in other activities/clubs?
Ex.BT.USN, well I never had any experience with crew/rowing. It was a sport I wanted to do since middle school and never had the chance since I live in an area where there are no crew/rowing teams unless you attend a private high school. I've only done 500m and 1k last year and I believe my times were 1:40 and 3:40 respectively. I plan on working on it more after my track season is over. Oh and I am a relatively short guy, 5' 6'' and 145 pounds.

USNA2017 said:

Hi,
I'm sorry for the confusion and yes I meant perks for doing a varsity sport at Naval Academy. Also, would participating in a varsity sport still give me time to participate in other activities/clubs?

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Depends on the club and whether they need sports period or not.

Semper Fi Society, for example, is not a problem for most athletes to juggle with their sport. YP Squadron would be an issue. Chinese Culture Club would definitely be doable.

Some USNA sports have openings for walk-ons. I think this is something you will have to determine for yourself once you start, since you need to see how much time is required to keep up on your academics and the various military obligations. Sports can be a BIG drain on your time. Better to get you feet on the ground with good academic standing, then be overextended with optional activities that aren't the main reason you go there. Best also to participate in sports you enjoy and can contribute vs. looking at how much of a 'benefit' it might be.

Everyone is required to participate in varous (non-varsity) sports which vary based on the time of year.

One thing I found out Plebe summer is EVERYBODY is a jock and good in sports, in fact, athletic prowess is one of the things the Navy looks for. You'll find even intramural sports has tough competition but it is a great way to blow off steam and de-stress from the fun and games of Bancroft Hall. As a Plebe, I wanted to get on the training tables and away from the company and upperclassmen at least sometime during the academic year and figured my best bet was rowing. Not many guys had experience and maybe I could catch on quick enough to make the team in the spring. So I went out for off-season crew during the academic year, learned how to pull my weight and not catch a crab and did, indeed, make the 150# team and got on training tables. I had a good time but starving myself trying to make weight was not fun so I went to intramurals for the following years. With your weight that won't be a problem----I'd say, go for it, you have as good a chance as anybody and it is a fun sport.