Lettering policy

I kind of agree with tribepride. When I played in high school, there was a set # of quarters (20) that we had to play in in order to letter. So unless we won half of our games by big margins, those key role-playing seniors, who just didn't have the talent to play constantly would get screwed out of a letter. Same thing with the Great Athlete who gets kicked off the team the 2nd to last week of the season, he would technically letter because he played every quarter up until then.

I think it is better if the staff sits down and decides who deserves to letter, and who doesn't.

mine is the same as blutarsky's, but its 12 quarters (quarter= 7 consecuative plays on one side of the ball)

Thanks Coaches -

Here's my line of thinking on the issue. Tell me what you think.

We will never judge a player's worth to our team based solely on the number of varsity quarters played. To me, that says that the sophomore defensive tackle who has been busting his butt in practice playing scout team, and making our varsity oline better but not getting any varsity time because there are talented lineman above him, is less valuable to the team than those same olineman who start and/or get significant time. This kid is just an example - there are many on our team. Kids who have 100% attendance in the offseason, help us on scout team, excel in JV games, but don't get to play much in varsity games.
On the flip side - what about the kids who are naturally talented enough to not do much of anything in the offseason, but still help your team on Friday nights. What does it say to the rest of the kids in your program if those kids show up in August and letter because of their DNA? This is not how life will be for them. Life rewards committment (most often). We want our program to be as close to "real-life" as possible. To us, lettering should be a huge honor and reward for their committment.

Here's what I am thinking on our policy:

you will letter if:
1. you are academically in good standing the entire season (eligible)
2. you are in good standing with the team at the end of the season (equipment turned in, no suspension/probation)
3. you have had 90% attendance rate at football activities (these are labeled on our calendar) in the off-season. These include summer weights/conditioning, meetings, camps, etc.

Do these three things, and you will letter in our program. I am hoping this will motivate some freshman and sophomores, who now have the chance to earn a varsity letter. It may even help our numbers. I think it will also help with the Jr/Sr's who think they can just show up in August, earn their spot, and letter.

Give me your honest opinion coaches.

Catbacker59

I remember vividly getting my first varsity football letter, and the jacket it went on. It was a special moment. I had earned other letters (as an 8th grader playing varsity baseball, and as a freshmen in track) but I refused to get a jacket until I lettered as a sophomore in football. Letters are not purple participation ribbons for everyone. They must be earned by being on the field in battle with other varsity contestants. Just my opinion, which is worth about 1 and 1/2 cents.

I also agree with superpower.

Most if not all of us on here probably lettered easily and often. Knighter, like you, I had my first varsity letter playing softball the summer after my 8th grade year. I feel it is important to establish a distinction with participation and competition to give the letter any value.

Cat, those sophs that are hard working already buy into the program and will value the significance of the initial letter when they get more varisty playing time. It is the senior that provides leadership off the field and in practice for 4 years that is less talented and may not fit in the 'play a set number of quarters' box that flexibility should come into play.