I was hoping one of the ALOs could give me their opinion. Our DS recently received an appointment to the class of 2017. He played baseball for several years. This year he decided to compete in track throwing the javelin. He's doing very well and really likes the sport, but it's hurting his back. The coach said he throws like a baseball player! He's never quit anything in his life so it's a hard decision. Will the Academy frown on this? If he gives it up? His application stated he would be in a varsity sport so not sure what to do here. Thanks for your advice.
Senior sports?
- Thread starter Irishdad
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Christcorp
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Agree. If he's already got the appointment, the academy will be fine. If he wants to stay on the team, he has 3 choices:
1. LEARN how to throw the javelin PROPERLY
2. Deal with the pain and HOPE he doesn't cause any damage that could stop him from doing BCT and getting kicked out
3. Don't throw the javelin so hard. Basically SUCK at it, have fun, but don't hurt himself
iceman2018
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Look at it this way: I would love to throw the jav this year... if the dang coach would take the time to give those who want to some practice!
Just have fun... it's 2nd semester SR year. No need to overwork oneself!
Christcorp
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Just a short story.
My son had played soccer for 12 years. Since he was 5 years old. He was VERY GOOD at it. He played Varsity and STARTED in 9th grade. He also played Football since 7th grade. He was also very good at that. Made 1st team all state. Won state championship. Was even recruited by air force to play football. (He DID receive his appointment PRIOR to being recruited). Just pointing out that he was also really good academically, #1 in his class, leadership, EC, volunteering, etc... Don't want anyone to think he got his appointment because he was a recruited athlete. Because of a presidential nomination, he received his appointment at the end of October and didn't become a recruited athlete until November.
Anyway; our state is the smallest in population, so football is in the fall and soccer is in the spring. No way they could field BOTH teams if they were at the same time of year. After football season was over; won the state championship; also received his appointment and got recruited; it was time to start soccer practice. The team looked like they were going to head for state. My son LOVED SOCCER. Even MORE than Football. He played it for 12 years. But "HE CHOSE" to not play soccer that coming spring. He actually received more injuries over the years in soccer than football and he didn't want to take the chance of getting hurt and losing his appointment. There were a lot of upset coaches and teammates. These were friends he'd known for 10 years. They understood, but they were upset. He asked my advice, and all I could do was give him the pros and cons of both choices. "HE" made the final decision.
FWIW: The academy didn't say anything about him not playing soccer his senior year. I think he had enough sports with 3 years of varsity soccer and 3 years of varsity football. I think he made a wise choice. But the individual has to make that choice. Not mom or dad. All we can do is tell them the pros and cons so they can make an "Informed" decision.
My son had played soccer for 12 years. Since he was 5 years old. He was VERY GOOD at it. He played Varsity and STARTED in 9th grade. He also played Football since 7th grade. He was also very good at that. Made 1st team all state. Won state championship. Was even recruited by air force to play football. (He DID receive his appointment PRIOR to being recruited). Just pointing out that he was also really good academically, #1 in his class, leadership, EC, volunteering, etc... Don't want anyone to think he got his appointment because he was a recruited athlete. Because of a presidential nomination, he received his appointment at the end of October and didn't become a recruited athlete until November.
Anyway; our state is the smallest in population, so football is in the fall and soccer is in the spring. No way they could field BOTH teams if they were at the same time of year. After football season was over; won the state championship; also received his appointment and got recruited; it was time to start soccer practice. The team looked like they were going to head for state. My son LOVED SOCCER. Even MORE than Football. He played it for 12 years. But "HE CHOSE" to not play soccer that coming spring. He actually received more injuries over the years in soccer than football and he didn't want to take the chance of getting hurt and losing his appointment. There were a lot of upset coaches and teammates. These were friends he'd known for 10 years. They understood, but they were upset. He asked my advice, and all I could do was give him the pros and cons of both choices. "HE" made the final decision.
FWIW: The academy didn't say anything about him not playing soccer his senior year. I think he had enough sports with 3 years of varsity soccer and 3 years of varsity football. I think he made a wise choice. But the individual has to make that choice. Not mom or dad. All we can do is tell them the pros and cons so they can make an "Informed" decision.
Thanks, all. We are leaving the decision up to him, but encourage him to look at the big picture. The back issue is a big deal when it hurts to do pull-ups. He did compete in the last meet and just didn't throw hard, but the coach wasn't too happy.