Is it worth it?

catlover2

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Apr 23, 2015
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hello I have received an LOA from USMA and a Nom and now I'm just trying to stay alive and well until I make it to West Point. Lol but I'm in a dilemma. The sport that means so much to me and helped me through life is basketball but now I'm thinking about quitting. That's hard for me to even say because I do not quit sports or anything for that matter, to me it's just distasteful. but so far already in this season I have had some near run ins with injuries and I fear that I will get hurt and sort of ruin everything. I still plan on doing track but I'm just a shot put/ discus thrower so the chance of injury is relatively low. I don't want to give up just because I got in nor do I want to live in a bubble because I like to think that if its meant to be it will happen regardless. But maybe I have to make this sacrifice to get to the next phase in my life. I want to try out for women's bball at usma so obviously quitting has its downsides. Is it worth it?
 
Just one guy's opinion, but also a rule for our kids is that there is no "quitting during the season." You made a commitment to your teammates and your coach by trying out and playing basketball.

The measure of character in finishing what you started outweighs the risk of injury. That doesn't mean you still have to run track or anything else, but you should follow through on what you already put your name on. Again, just one guy's opinion.
 
Only you can make the decision to quit or not. People get injured just walking too. I have seen injuries occur in the most dramatic ways in games and others get hurt just walking to class. Heck one year someone hurt their knee getting off the bus for R Day. It's your call based your principls and what makes you happy.
 
This is just my opinion here so for what its worth-
You don't sound like a quitter to me. Being a strong team mate and person and student is what got you that LOA.
Basketball ends in Feb. You will have time to heal up from all but the worst of injuries. I say be there for your team mates just as you will for your fellow new team mates at USMA.
Just be careful. Get taped...
 
I agree with the above and suggest you finish what you started. Quitting would show that you put yourself and personal interests before the team which as you know is 180 degrees with the mindset of all SA's and military. There is almost no injury that you could attain that could not be healed by I/R Day. My DS caught for his baseball team and was doing 3-4 double headers a week just a month before I-Day. He was worried he would blow out a knee, but sports was one of the many things that got himself an appointment in the first place. Good luck whatever decision you make.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I was almost embarassed to ask because it's just out of my character to even think about quitting, especially my best sport. I remember frowning upon kids that joined a sport and just quit because it's just wrong. In a way I thought I'd be doing a disservice to my team by not getting on the ground or diving for every ball but I don't want to play reckless either like my younger self used to. And I realize that I could walk outside and get hurt or anything random could happen outside of bball that could injure me which is why I'm going to keep playing. I think in the end that if its in my destiny it will happe regardless.
 
Don't live in fear of an acorn falling and hitting you in the head. Play, and enjoy yourself and your team mates.

Live life!!

Push Hard, Press Forward
 
To be honest... You would probably hurt yourself more trying to play differently then how you would naturally react. If you hesitate or second guess a movement such as diving for a ball, etc you probably have a higher chance of injury then just playing loose, aggressive and how your have trained your body. And your younger self is still the same self, you are still a youngin (which is a good thing).
 
Are you having fun?

It takes more courage to quit.

Let's use Joe Flaco from the Ravens. recently he stayed in the game even though he tore his ACL and Ravens won the game because Joe stayed in. In a bigger scheme of things, it was a meaningless win. I also hope that his bravado didn't do more damage to his ACL and delay his return next season.

There is life beyond high school. Because you quit basketball now, that does not mean you are going to start quitting when things get harder. Are you a starter? Is you team going to win conference/state title and they need you? Even if so, are you going to talking about a high school sports team title when your are older?
 
OP says she wants to try out for basketball at West Point, guessing if that is her goal she is a decent enough player and probably a key player to her team, possibly even a captain. And yes there is life beyond high school LG and I can only speak for me... but I came from a very solid basketball program that started at an early age. It was one of the main key factors along with my family that built my foundation for life. It is different for everyone, if she wants to play D1 basketball next year, get after it, play hard, work hard and be prepared for whole different level of basketball and commitment next year if you want to try out.
 
Play. But eliminate all thoughts of injury. Whenever I thought about getting hurt, that's exactly what I got. Go out and have fun.
 
I'm honestly glad people like you are going to West Point. Youre doing it for the team, and that is completely selfless
 
Yes I am a starter and a team captain which is why I feel even more guilt. Our team definitely isn't the best, probably one of the worse teams in our league to be nice about it but we lost our coaches twice in two years and are recovering. Not to sound cocky, but my team definitely needs me because I am the only solid post we have and I scores most of the points each game. We also made the adjustment to 5a last year from 4a.
 
Are you having fun?

It takes more courage to quit.

Let's use Joe Flaco from the Ravens. recently he stayed in the game even though he tore his ACL and Ravens won the game because Joe stayed in. In a bigger scheme of things, it was a meaningless win. I also hope that his bravado didn't do more damage to his ACL and delay his return next season.

There is life beyond high school. Because you quit basketball now, that does not mean you are going to start quitting when things get harder. Are you a starter? Is you team going to win conference/state title and they need you? Even if so, are you going to talking about a high school sports team title when your are older?
My dad was telling me the same thing which is what made me actually think hard about this
 
OP says she wants to try out for basketball at West Point, guessing if that is her goal she is a decent enough player and probably a key player to her team, possibly even a captain. And yes there is life beyond high school LG and I can only speak for me... but I came from a very solid basketball program that started at an early age. It was one of the main key factors along with my family that built my foundation for life. It is different for everyone, if she wants to play D1 basketball next year, get after it, play hard, work hard and be prepared for whole different level of basketball and commitment next year if you want to try out.

Let us not assume that the OP is good enough to make the West Point basketball team. If I recall, the OP was not a recruited athlete. Yes, there are always a few walk ons that make the team.

We must be passionate, but must be careful about what we are passionate about. I am pretty old and as my kids tell me play in an "old men" lacrosse league - indoor, no body check pick up game. Why do I still play? Because I am passionate about lacrosse, although the chance of getting hurt is de end (because I am old). But I can afford to get hurt.
 
catlover2 -- I've been thinking about this thread all day, and this is going to sound a bit "preachy" and some won't like it, but here goes . . .

I don't agree with MemberLG. I don't think it takes more courage to quit. From what you've shared, you aren't yet injured -- you just fear a potential injury in basketball -- but you are planning to still do track as a thrower? Are you a glider or a spinner? Certainly you are aware if the pad is wet you could greatly injure your knee, or you could be hit by an errant throw at practice or a meet causing injury or concussion -- so your logic doesn't seem congruent to me. Why take the chance at track either? If you are that fearful of injury impacting this opportunity, why in the world are you going into the Army? West Point isn't a free education -- you earn it later on active duty.

That little voice in your head is telling you what the right thing to do is. To decide to quit the team at this point is an "individualistic" based decision. To stick with the team is a unit-based decision. Which decision basis do you think is preferred on active duty?

It is up to you to make the choice, but if you do quit the season early by choice, I would hope you would update your West Point application to remove this season's athletic credit for basketball, and the team captain credit as well.
 
That little voice in your head is telling you what the right thing to do is. To decide to quit the team at this point is an "individualistic" based decision. To stick with the team is a unit-based decision. Which decision basis do you think is preferred on active duty?

There is a price associated with everything we do. Ideally, the military will return what you give them, but in reality the military will chew and spit out anyone for the collective good (I.e. Reduction in force, separation, forced retirements, and so on). It is an individual decision how much sacrifice you want to make for the unit and you live with your decision.
 
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