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Sports and our Youth
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Mr. Fernandez |
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Broncho Express Volume 1 Issue 4 February 2009 Editor: Brett Wilson Reporters: Brett Wilson, Luke Gevas, Lindsay Harjak, Jocelyn Hale and Miles Gevas Advisor: Mr. Klug |
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The Geyserville Broncho Express is published at least 8 times per year. Due to high productions costs, the Broncho Express is delivered digitally on the school’s website. Signed articles and other pieces in the Broncho Express represent the opinion of the writer/artist and do not necessarily reflect those of the Broncho Express, Geyserville Educational Park or the Geyserville Unified School District. The Broncho Express is digitally printed by the Studio Productions class, Geyserville High School. |
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Sport has become an integral part in the lives of many young people in the United States and, indeed, the world over. It is also important to recognize the value of sports in our contemporary society and the valuable qualities that emanate from individual or team competition. Individual skill, the ability to make quick decisions, the ability to adjust to a challenging athletic environment, teamwork, group cooperation and collaboration, and the list can go on. These set of values, as well as others, can help mold a young student-athlete into a bright and competent adult ready to take on the challenges of life. However, it should be noted that desire and reality will clash when it comes to aspiring of making the professional leagues in any sport for any student-athlete. According to a study done in 1998 by Urban Youth Sports at Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sports in Society, there was a staggering figure concerning the possibility of realizing a dream to become a pro athlete. It asserted that only 1 out of every 50,000 high school athletes will ever become a part of a professional team. To put those astronomical odds in perspective, it would be like filling each seat at Denver's Coors Field (the home of the Colorado Rockies), then placing each name in a huge barrel. If yours isn't the one, single name drawn, then -- just like that -- your lifelong dream is dead! Having said this, it is not only crucial but vital that young people realize that they need Plan B to be able to sustain themselves in their future, after the possibility of sport has been exhausted. In another study done by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2006, .03% of high school boys basketball players reach the pros, .02% of high school girls basketball players reach the pros, .08% of high school football players reach the pros, .45% of high school baseball players reach the pros, .32% of high school boys ice hockey players reach the pros and .07% of high school boys soccer players reach the pros. This information is not intended to dissuade a young person from dreaming of becoming a professional sports athlete. Young people can, and do become, incredible athletes. But those exceptional few who have the fierce drive, talent, and a little bit of luck, are able to rise above everyone else trying to become sports athletes. It is not impossible to reach the pros: one just needs the strong desire and tenacity to succeed in their particular sport. There is nothing wrong with the desire to become a professional athlete. Just keep in mind that sport is not all life has to offer. As the ancient Greeks believed in exercising a strong body and a sound mind, they knew that the body could break down, but you will always have your intelligence for the rest of your days. Happy trails! |
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