Athletic Opportunities

The vast majority of high school football, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer players will officially retire this year at the beaten old age of seventeen.  They will have resigned themselves to be too poor of an athlete to compete in Collegiate Varsity athletics.  But just as many high school athletes (and their parents) may receive a letter from a school such as NYU offering a full scholarship to pursue Fencing.  Or perhaps Harvard, who is not quite impressed with your GPA, will overlook your pitiful 3.85 and choose to admit you based on your Rowing ability.  Many of those recently retired tight ends, quarterbacks, midfielders, and goalies will transfer their talents and athletic interest to golf, equestrian, track and field, cross country, swimming and diving, and dozens of other unfamiliar athletic opportunities. 

Such opportunities offer high school students (athletes or not) an under appreciated alternative that enables them to continue (or begin) a lifelong pursuit of athletics.  These sports can also offer high school students who may not consider themselves “college material” a chance to gain admission to a highly selective school that just happens to be seeking very skilled javelin throwers or male gymnasts.  These opportunities can provide a back door to pursue a college education, a scholarship, or admission to highly selective schools.  A former football player’s contempt for track could turn into a lifelong passion for running.  Some may even earn the chance to throw, run, race, wrestle, row, climb, or dance for your country. 

A list of resources that may help an aspiring collegiate athlete can be found below.  It is often recommended that students interested in a particular athletic program at a particular university contact assistant coaches of that program to begin a regulated recruiting and informational process.  Students and parents should take an active role in contacting coaches throughout the summer prior to a student’s senior year of high school.

http://ncaa.com/home/

http://www.ncsasports.org

http://www.athleticscholarships.net/

http://row2k.com/

http://teamusa.org/ngb/sports

Become a well rounded athlete

Whether you compete in sports or not, it is important to develop multi-dimensional skills at a young age.

Focusing on one sport is not the best way to reach your potential as an athlete, contrary to the current trend.  It is important to learn a wide variety of fitness skills including agility, balance, coordination, mechanics and strength.

Unfortunately, many coaches and parents are being led to believe that a scholarship may be down the road if you start young and work hard at your sport.  The truth however, is that the scholarships are handed out at birth.  That's right.  Great athetes are born not made.

So, does this mean that you shouldn't try to excel?  Not at all.  Just work in many directions and in a variety of sports so that you become well rounded.  If you happen to be the one in a million who will compete a scholarship one day - or the one in 10 million who will compete to be a pro at something, then being a better overall athete just might be the difference. 

Learn to run, jump, climb, swim, throw, tumble, kick, ride a bike, strength train (properly) and do it all backwards and who knows?  Maybe we have another Tiger woods or a Serena Williams on our hands...

For the rest of you, a future of good health and enjoyment in athletics isn't so bad, either.

Have Fun!

Jessica and Kasey Bronco show just how fun fitness is at any age!

Join  our Youth program and learn how to roll ropes and staff!