The Great Sports Debate

Are high school sports too competitive? Good question. “Year-round sports participation we see now at the Division One level has led to an increased occurrence of injury, and a ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality among coaches when recruiting,” says William A. Grana MD. He also says that even his alma mater, Harvard, had been overwhelmed by the urge to ‘win at all costs.’

Another example of too much competitiveness is something Mr. Greg Hall, the athletic director at Urbana High School, told me about. He said that it seems that things may be getting a little out of hand up north in Chicago, kind of like what Dr. Grana was saying. Parents are starting to pay personal coaches to help their child, starting at maybe age eight. Which means, that parents may be pushing their child way too much. Crossing a line. A line between healthy competition, and an all-out push to be the best, no matter what.

In my opinion, I really do think sports are getting a little out of control because of competitiveness. Why can’t our society’s parents, coaches and so on just value us? I mean, if someone really wants to be an athlete, then maybe they should go the extra mile. But now, I guess people don’t have much of a choice. Nobody can slow down on practices, off-season workouts, and weight training/lifting without being behind. I really feel like we should be a little more laid back.

So, from what I have said, and from what Dr. Grana said, what do you think UHS? Do you think high school sports are too competitive overall?