In the 70s/80s at Boyle and then Mercer, it was 18 quarters for an 11 game regular season and 16 quarters for a 10 game regular season. Here (Mason County), if it is close,meaning a player ends up on a special team for a few weeks or plays significant minutes while the game is in question, we will go ahead and letter them- especially if it is a junior who has played all 3 years. For me, it is really tough NOT to letter a junior who has played 3 years, been on the scout team, etc.

 

I would rather not speak for others, but one very successful coach told me that anyone who was on the scout team all year getting the varsity ready would earn a letter. That is usually, for me, the reason I will go ahead and letter a junior that is close.

 

I think it is good and appropriate for coaches to be allowed to have some flexibility in lettering players.

It quit being general question when you mentioned names.

No it didn't. I used the two names as an example. There could be and probably are more. I agree with VOR on "earning a letter." I wanted to find out what criteria schools base this on.

No it didn't. I used the two names as an example. There could be and probably are more. I agree with VOR on "earning a letter." I wanted to find out what criteria schools base this on.

 

Are the names you used those of actual players? Or are the names made up?

I know that SK/Marksberry's policy is that the player has to start 1 phase of the game at the varsity level. From what I understand that includes being on the "hands" team if that happens to be the case throughout the year, extra point attempts, every aspect.

Hicks started both games pike was out. Did so so and was out in second half.

 

I thought Cohorn started and played the entire NCC game? That puts Hicks in for 4 quarters this year, maybe 5. Mop up duty against Beechwood and Highlands, 2 quarters against Lafeyette, and possibly 1 in the CCH game.

When I played way back when with leather helmets, we had to get in 20 qtrs or make it to the state championship.

I guess that is where I differ with you and perhaps others. My question to you is what do you have to do to "earn" it? I think the kid who works his tail off every day on the scout team, does every workout with the team just like the starters and participates in all the off season programs does deserve a letter. I see the letter as recognition of effort and being a key part of a team more than some status symbol limited to the starting players only.

 

Agreed!

And just what did the two Frosh players do to "earn" theirs?

I guess that is where I differ with you and perhaps others. My question to you is what do you have to do to "earn" it? I think the kid who works his tail off every day on the scout team, does every workout with the team just like the starters and participates in all the off season programs does deserve a letter. I see the letter as recognition of effort and being a key part of a team more than some status symbol limited to the starting players only.

 

 

Great post.

Great post.

 

Us scout teamers on a state title team HAD to do a decent job prepping starters for games or they wouldn't have won state! Plus, we did work hard but just didn't have the talent or age/maturity that the starters had. I got the ring and the picture with the governor, etc. But no letter. Pretty much forgot about it till now. Thanks for bringing that up!! I guess I just forgot since I got other letters. I still feel that all 35 of us deserved a letter. Mr. Duffy didn't see it that way.

Not sure on the requirements but Cohorn was the qb when Pike was out and Hatton did not finish the season with the team. Seems silly to give him a letter. I am sure he has one for basketball.

 

Did Pike letter? I don't think he finished the season with the team either!

Did Pike letter? I don't think he finished the season with the team either!

 

:deadhorse:

 

No biggie really. But he does have a full ride to Auburn though.

And just what did the two Frosh players do to "earn" theirs?

 

This is just a guess but I'd say it's to lock them in so they have the meet the "bonafide change of address exemption" if they choose to transfer.

I guess that is where I differ with you and perhaps others. My question to you is what do you have to do to "earn" it? I think the kid who works his tail off every day on the scout team, does every workout with the team just like the starters and participates in all the off season programs does deserve a letter. I see the letter as recognition of effort and being a key part of a team more than some status symbol limited to the starting players only.

 

I guess we agree to disagree. A varsity letter used to be for contributing in games at the varsity level, change is not necessarily bad, but your definition is much different than it what letters were awarded for historically. Obviously everyone can set the bar for lettering wherever they choose, but generally I think lowering the bar devalues the achievement.

 

With parents arguing for equal playing time for all kids no matter how much talent they have, little leagues giving participation trophies for everyone, schools ending the ranking of students academically, the elimination of not awarding valedictorians and salutatorians, then I suppose the awarding of varsity letters based upon how hard you “practice” fits in nicely with that trend.

 

As AI said, “we are talking about practice”.

I guess we agree to disagree. A varsity letter used to be for contributing in games at the varsity level, change is not necessarily bad, but your definition is much different than it what letters were awarded for historically. Obviously everyone can set the bar for lettering wherever they choose, but generally I think lowering the bar devalues the achievement.

 

With parents arguing for equal playing time for all kids no matter how much talent they have, little leagues giving participation trophies for everyone, schools ending the ranking of students academically, the elimination of not awarding valedictorians and salutatorians, then I suppose the awarding of varsity letters based upon how hard you “practice” fits in nicely with that trend.

 

As AI said, “we are talking about practice”.

 

It takes 22+ to run practice. How good would "the 11" be if they didn't have the other 11 to get them ready every week? I think we just see this differently. I like how ChiefSmoke laid it out above. Once you get through a junior season and have fulfilled all the commitments, you have earned it.