Sport Recommendation- change or continue same?

Tgun

5-Year Member
Joined
May 15, 2012
Messages
60
Hello;

Son has played football past 2 years (varsity lettered both years). Was pressured to switch to Cross Country for this coming Fall (senior year). Not sure if that is wise regarding academy appointment competitiveness.

However, he states that he believes cross country will better prepare him physically (due to the long distance 1-2-3-4-5 miles running) than football.

He has applied to AF Academy, Navy Academy, Military Academy (received presidential nomination, waiting on pn for the other two), AF ROTC, AROTC, NROTC, and will be applying to the CGA.

Any advice for DS? He needs to decide by tomorrow due to upcoming summer sport camps (CC vs football).

Thank you!
 
Do what he wants to do. If he doesn't want to run CC he will be miserable. Is there a chance he can have a leadership position on the football team such a Captain? That is most important and what admissions will care about. If he is in good shape and has the drive, then he will be able to get in shape for the Academy with no problem. More importantly play the sport he wants to play... he only has one senior year, make it fun.
 
Definitely encourage him to play a sport he'll enjoy. Football to cross country will be a big change, but if that's what he wants, I'm sure he can be successful.

There's definitely the consideration of getting a leadership position on a team, but other than that I would just go for the sport he wants.
 
I guess part of the answer depends on a question. You said he was "Pressured" to switch from Football to Cross Country. I don't understand that. Especially for a kid who was a varsity letter player in 10th grade and 11th grade.

Now; if I forget totally about being "Pressured", I'd say similar to what the others have said. He needs to play and do the things he WANTS to do. He doesn't need to "Prepare" for the academies. If you do ANY sport on a regular basis, you will be fine physically at the academy. What's important is to not assume that you will get an appointment. Approximately 12,000+ apply, and this past cycle on about 1,000 received appointments.

Does one sport give you a better chance at an appointment over another? No. Not at all. CAVEAT: No matter what the sport is, if you happen to be a NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED athlete; e.g. 5-Star Football recruit; being recruited by 5+ universities; etc... then you definitely have a leg up in applying to the academy. Especially if you've also got the academics. But "Which" sport.... that doesn't matter. Let your kid do what he wants to. Just make sure he isn't "Pressured" in either direction. Make sure he doesn't rationalize. Make sure it's what he wants. Later... Best of luck. mike....
 
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