I have a DS who wants to quit swimming. He's been a year round club swimmer since the age of 11 and has 3 Varisty letters going into his Senior year of HS. I'm looking for solid information to share, not just my opinion that this could potentially be negative on his application as well as the nomination committee views. Any thoughts?
Quitting HS Varsity team
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DesertCaliMom
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My 2x letter football DS is also choosing not to play his senior year. He has unique situation as to why, and is prepared explain his deep conviction as to why football is out for this year, but rugby is in.
I think being able to articulate the reason behind the decision, and show a schedule just as rigorous is important.
I think being able to articulate the reason behind the decision, and show a schedule just as rigorous is important.
Keeping this simple, the Naval Academy is a leadership school and sports are one of many ways to show leadership. Playing on a varsity team is simply checking a box about participation. It does not show leadership. At the end of the day it does not matter much if your sons/daughters play one varsity sport or 5. What does matter is showing leadership by becoming a team captain or other significant leadership role on the team. As part of the interview process I always as my team captains what they did with the role and how did they show significant leadership. Having the title and not doing much with it is not worth much either.
If your kids want to play another sport for fun or just drop out of sports senior year that's OK. But they should be focusing on other leadership roles in club, student government, or church activities.
Hope that helps.
If your kids want to play another sport for fun or just drop out of sports senior year that's OK. But they should be focusing on other leadership roles in club, student government, or church activities.
Hope that helps.
USMAROTCFamily
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I think there could be a difference with how the Naval Academy views it as compared to how MOC interviewer or committee members perceive it. I agree with the DesertCaliMom above who indicated that the questions may be asked as to "why" they did not continue during their senior year. If the answer is: "I didn't get along with the coach," "There are faster swimmers than me," "I already checked the block of getting my varsity letter," "I just didn't feel like swimming anymore" then I think this could be seen as a negative. However, if he/she has examples of how he took on different leadership roles or experiences, that he has a passion for, instead, then I don't think it would be seen as a negative. However, there could be committee members who would truly view it as "quitting" the team and letting other teammates, or the school down for what could be perceived as a selfish reason, if they don't believe you have justified it.
Old Navy BGO
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I doubt that swimming 4 years v. 3 years makes much difference on the whole person multiple, and don't think that the issue comes up anywhere else in the USNA application process. However, as USMAROTCF point out, the reason for dropping out could be important. The question could come up in either MOC or BGO interview (although certainly not a focus of the interview; I don't think I have ever asked the question before). Being prepared with a postive, mature response would be helpful. The bottom line, if DS has lost the fire to be a competitive swimmer, its not good for either him or the team to participate solely because he is worried about what USNA or any other college may think,
Burnout in youth sports is quite common.
Old Navy BGO is correct - 'if DS has lost the fire to be a competitive swimmer.....'
DD was a competitive gymnast - loved her coach and teammates - still does. She did however get tired of all the bumps, bruises, sprains, and a few broken bones. She didn't so much 'quit' gymnastics as moved on to other things, had nieces and nephews with similar experiences with soccer - played for a very long time - finally got to the point where it wasn't fun anymore and moved on to something else.
Old Navy BGO is correct - 'if DS has lost the fire to be a competitive swimmer.....'
DD was a competitive gymnast - loved her coach and teammates - still does. She did however get tired of all the bumps, bruises, sprains, and a few broken bones. She didn't so much 'quit' gymnastics as moved on to other things, had nieces and nephews with similar experiences with soccer - played for a very long time - finally got to the point where it wasn't fun anymore and moved on to something else.
I also had a concern with my DS quitting baseball in Jan. He has played year round since he was 4 and just got burned out. He has been wanting to get a job, so when he turned 17 in Jan, he quit baseball and started working 15-20 hours a week at a restaurant which has been a GREAT experience for him so far. We went back and forth as to whether this decision would hurt his chances at the academy..... But he has gained really good customer service and communication skills with his job that I'm happy he made this decision.
usafa2022
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I'm in a similar situation going into my senior year. I've run track and XC for the past three years and am now thinking about not coming back. It's gotten to the point where it's no longer fun and my team is no longer what it used to be. Plus, I took up swimming last year and want to start focusing on that. But I haven't earned a varsity letter yet and seniors on the xc team always do (team policy), and even if I letter in swimming that wouldn't be until February. So I'm not sure if grinding out another season of running is worth it.