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There's no doubt Tuesday was a historic day for America. It's been a long time coming, and I actually can't wait for the first time when a woman is elected President of the United States, too. It's sad that it's 2009 and that hasn't happened yet.
Everyone is equal - period. And for those that don't think so, you can get on a boat and get lost.
There are times when I'm jealous of my grandparents, knowing they've seen so much change during their lives. Seriously, think about how much has changed in America since 1900 or even 1950?
It's pretty awesome to think about, and it's something many of us take for granted. I'm really curious to see how Tuesday and days like 9-11 are talked about in history classes in years to come.
But I'm also curious about a couple other things.....soccer related...
One thing anyone will tell you is that your financial portfolio should be diverse. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, right?
But when you look at high school athletes today, that's exactly what they are doing.
How many three-sport or even two-sport athletes are there today? How many athletes can only play one position?
Last night on WGN-AM's "Sports Central," they were drilling parents for paying the amount of money they do to clubs. They said while clubs have helped high school athletes, they also have hurt them because they demand athletes to play one sport.
I've always said I have no problem with any business making money. At the end of the day, clubs are businesses. Paint all the marketing and public relations spin you want, but no one is working for free.
Sports Central host David Kaplan said it just stuns him that parents are willing to watch their child get cut from the 'A' club team and then let a club coach talk them into paying for the 'B' team, which is only there to generate money.
In defense of clubs, I'll take a 'B' player from Eclipse Select or the Chicago Magic before taking someone from a local-based community club.
Why?
Over the past 14 years, I've seen the difference in the play - even with those so-called 'B' teams. But there's no doubt those teams are created to generate additional revenue. And if there is a demand, why shouldn't the club add additional teams? The parent is the one buying and paying for the service.
It's their call.
So here are my questions:
1. Was Kaplan right saying parents shouldn't pay-to-play for 'B' teams?
2. Will today's high school athlete regret later in life that they only played one sport growing up?
- Joe Trost
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Hey Joe,
Just wanted to make a few comments here:
1) I believe that Kaplan is wrong when he says parents shouldn’t pay for a “B” team. Some of the "B" teams are getting exceptional training as some clubs have their trainers coaching both A and B teams both are trained the same way. Competition on the other hand is obviously a different story.
2) I coach the “B” team of our club who is ranked #10 in the state of Illinois at the U15 age. We have defeated a handful of clubs A teams. I’m not tooting my own horn but the fact is there are B teams out there just as good as some of the A teams.
3) Teams that produce more than one level at an age usually do this to train the athletes to come up through their program (I find this primarily with U12 and younger) how accurate the numbers are with respect to players moving up to their top team I am not sure.
I am not sure what your comment means in regards to taking someone from a “local based community club” so I’ll make a guess on what I take your comment to mean: You would rather pick a player based on club than on talent? If I’m wrong, that’s ok…and I offer an apology but if I am correct….that is where the sport of soccer goes downhill – talent is no longer needed, unfortunately I have seen a few high school coaches pass up players based on their club affiliation rather than talent and I have seen it vice versa, kids not picked up because of their club affliation. It's a shame the political soccer world we live in.
Thanks!
I doubt many high school coaches would see talent and prefer a big club name. I believe some coaches couldn't see talent if it bit them but that does not say he would chose a club player based on his resume instead of talent.
I have seen kids come up to the "A" squad from the "B" team, and this makes clubs stronger. Clubs loose players to other clubs, burnout, pressure from other sports coaches. Some "B" team players develop skills faster and will pass some "A" team players. This is the fun part, watching the players move up.
I have learned that one should never bet against an American parent paying good money to see their child play at a club level, no mater what level that club is in. In soccer there are two main local leauges, one has 24 divisions based on talent. The 24th division might pay almost as much as the top division. I knoe parents whose children cannot make a "travel" soccer club and would still pay for him to play on a lower division than exists today, they have good reason too they believe. Whose to argue with a parent over that.
Players will be dissapointed when they look back and remember the sports they gave up, they would be dissapointed if they looked back and gave up playing at the highest level they could have if they didn't. There is no right or wrong choices here. My 16 year old gave up baseball at 12 because the summer schedule of 60 games was too much with the other sports he liked also. But he knew that if he was to play he would have to play at the highest level he was qualified for.
By the way, his soccer club does well because they alow players to do other sports and get some very athletic kids who excell in basketball, bseball and track. He has stayed with the same club for 7 years, through the good times and bad. He will be a better man for it.