3 sport athlete award

[packerboy]

I think there should be a 3 sport athlete award given at the the end of the high school sports seasons.

The number of single sport athletes has increased.

There are many causes for this. Kids are pressured into choosing by coaches who think the sport they coach is the only one that matters. Some kids thnk that if they concentrate on one sport, they will have a better chance at a scholarship.

But whatever the causes, maybe we should take some action that might encourage kids to play 3 sports. Do something to promote playing 3 sports and make a big deal out of it so kids think its an important thing to do.

We have the "Metro player of the year" awrads for the individual sports. We have the Mr and Ms awards for certain sports

Why not have a "Metro 3 Sport Award" and an "Outstate Minnesota 3 Sport Award." We could call it the Packerboy Award if you want. Id be happy to MC the dinner and awards ceremony.

But seriously, why not do it. Get kids excted about playing football instead of worrying about "getting injured for hockey".

Baseball is a great sport and something to look forward to when hockey ends instead of looking for a spring league to keep playing hockey.

[NumberCruncher]

You bring up a good point. 3-sport athletes though are typically above average in every sport they play so kudos to them. I remember seeing Paul Martin on the cover of a magazine after getting Mr. Hockey with his letter jacket on. I think he had individual patches that overlapped.

[HShockeywatcher]

I'm going to go with the one good thing Cretin has produced; Joe Mauer.

Go pro in baseball or on a full ride for basketball or football? Who has those kind of options?

[NumberCruncher]

Are you sure he had a full ride for basketball? I know he had the most hype for those other two sports but was it really a full ride?

[HShockeywatcher]

Hmmm, it might not have been a full ride, but I'm pretty sure it was at least playing D1. I was not personally associated with the specifics, just go by word of mouth. But either way, a full ride in one, D1 in another, and pro in another.

[packerboy]

I dont remember if Mauer had any offers for BBall. I doubt it only because it was pretty widely known that he was either going to sgn a MLB contract or play QB in college.

But its not the Joe Mauers of the world that I suggest the award for. He was a freak.

Lets get the award going and give some recognition to the kids who play 3 sports and quit nodding our heads in agreement when some kid says: "I am not playng football cuz I dont wnat to get hurt for hockey".

[HShockeywatcher]

That's a good point. All I heard was "he could've played basketball" and that he was amazing in high school. So my bad if D1 offers weren't there.

That is so true packerboy. The only exception is if you have a D1 scholarship and they tell you not to. But aside from that, there is no reason to not play more sports. They all just keep you in shape. Myself, I was a 3 sport athlete one year and 2 sport three times due to injuries. If you are able to be a three sport athlete and stay with it and be able to participate hats off to you.

[Can't Never Tried]

I dont remember if Mauer had any offers for BBall. I doubt it only because it was pretty widely known that he was either going to sgn a MLB contract or play QB in college.

But its not the Joe Mauers of the world that I suggest the award for. He was a freak.

Lets get the award going and give some recognition to the kids who play 3 sports and quit nodding our heads in agreement when some kid says: "I am not playng football cuz I dont wnat to get hurt for hockey".

Sorry I have to disagree here,
It's just great if a kid wants to play football, soccer , hockey, BBall, or whatever, but if it's football you better be good enough to make it worth it, and if you want to play one sport more then another there's no shame in not risking letting some dim bulb kid that never learned how to tackle, or block someone take your knee out... and yes it does happen, it's no different then in hockey where a player gets pissed and takes a run at someone, or a slash to the forearm, or crotches them.. so if you have a chance to go somewhere in the sport you excel at, I say save yourself for it, or play one with less risk, however if your just a average player in all sports what are you risking?? just the injury I suppose, and not a potential future.
Another thing is by HS don't most kids have some idea of where they want to spend there effort? it takes a lot of effort to be tops in any sport these days, much less three.

Here we go more trophy's

Just a friendly desenting opinion, not to the award, just to the point of discounting others for protecting their own ass-ets.

[HShockeywatcher]

You're right, it does happen, but the career ending injury is the exception, not the rule. And if football isn't your thing there are other sports.

But I will agree that if you're amazing no reason to continue other sports if the college wants that.

How long did Randy Moss keep playing basketball, baseball and track?

[Undercover Hockey Lover]

Have to say I like a multi-sport athlete. I'm not into "one-sport wonders". Most of the time they or their parents THINK they are better than they really are...most are NOT the D-1 talent they think they are. Remember the only time 99.9% of the kids that play football CAN play football is during HS football. Hockey & Basketball have intramurals for the college has-been that hasn't had enough and Huff & Puff Leagues for us old farts that want to still try. Baseball has a fantastic town team system here in Minnesota where you can play until you can't any longer. I believe many kids are throwing away their only chance to participate in different sports by chasing an out of reach dream. Obviously, there is the exception where the college coach at a D-1 program has specifically asked the player to not play football...TJ was a prime example. Very good footballer but was asked by UND not to play. I have also seen where a player has "saved" himself for hockey and wouldn't you know it came up with a season ending injury along the way. To summarize my feeling is play as many different sports as you can...you may blossom in the one you may not be the best in and it's just plain fun.

[Can't Never Tried]

I'm not saying I don't like them either.
My point is that just as in other things, when a kid gets to HS, we as parents are telling them to start planning for their future, and think about what it is they want to do in life.
So I'll use my kid for an example.. he's played football, baseball, soccer, and hockey from the time he was 5 thru his early HS years, now he's focused and putting a lot of effort into the one he wants to pursue, he has suffered injury in football before and still really loves the game, but not enough to risk not being able to play hockey which is his true passion.

Just because you may not have some coach saying what you shouldn't do at a Freshman, soph. or even Junior year yet doesn't mean they won't be looking the next year as these kids really change between 9-12 grade.

"Chasing an out of reach dream?"
Man...... I'd never tell my kid that...the main thing here is that the kid has to make the choices..free of influences...when that happens everything is easy.

[Undercover Hockey Lover]

I believe many kids are throwing away their only chance to participate in different sports by chasing an out of reach dream.

Never said I would tell a kid that....it is however FACT. So it looks like your kid has decided to be a hockey star. Is he? Remember there is other fall sports than football just as there is other spring sports than baseball. You only have one chance at HS sports you should make the most of it by TRYING different things; some you may not even be great at and some you may never get another chance to do competitively - THAT's the beauty of it - TRYING. I know I ask my kid what he's planning after HS but it isn't based on what sport he wants to play after HS. It's a little broader and deeper than that. They say "Variety is the Spice of Life." Live Spicy...while you can.

[Can't Never Tried]

Don't totally disagree, and I never said you said that, I just said, I would not.
Meehh.....Soccer... he did that too!
"Decided to be a hockey star!" I bet he wishes it was that easy!
Working to be the best he can at what he will put 100% into is more like it.

I don't believe anyone would want you on their team (any sport) if you put anything less then the best you could into it (100%) , and if you can't commit to that level at HS sports then step aside for someone who will, and go do what you will put 100% into.

I guess what I'm saying is that a lot of kids (including mine) have tried a lot of the other sports growing up, and know what they want to pursue by now.
Not to mention ya gotta have some down time for school work, and social life.

Also

"My point is that just as in other things, when a kid gets to HS, we as parents are telling them to start planning for their future, and think about what it is they want to do in life."

Was just that note that I say just as in other things!!! so it wasn't intended that I meant sports are your future, just possibly a part of it.

[Neutron 14]

I think there should be a 3 sport athlete award given at the the end of the high school sports seasons.

We have the "Metro player of the year" awrads for the individual sports. We have the Mr and Ms awards for certain sports

Why not have a "Metro 3 Sport Award" and an "Outstate Minnesota 3 Sport Award." We could call it the Packerboy Award if you want. Id be happy to MC the dinner and awards ceremony.

Doesn't Cretin receive enough awards already?

[Can't Never Tried]

I think there should be a 3 sport athlete award given at the the end of the high school sports seasons.

We have the "Metro player of the year" awrads for the individual sports. We have the Mr and Ms awards for certain sports

Why not have a "Metro 3 Sport Award" and an "Outstate Minnesota 3 Sport Award." We could call it the Packerboy Award if you want. Id be happy to MC the dinner and awards ceremony.

Doesn't Cretin receive enough awards already?

[Undercover Hockey Lover]

I don't believe anyone would want you on their team (any sport) if you put anything less then the best you could into it (100%) , and if you can't commit to that level at HS sports then step aside for someone who will, and go do what you will put 100% into.

I don't believe I ever implied that a player should give less than his best effort. What is 100% anyway, it is a figure of speech, nothing more. I like your best effort better. However, I did say that you at least TRY and some of the sports you aren't going to be GREAT at. I believe we have programmed our young people today in such a manner that if they are not GREAT at something then they shouldn't do it. Not everyone can be great at everything they try to do but like I said they can at least try. It's our self-gratifying and self-serving mentality we've developed. Some of the greatest rewards of HS athletics are not based on winning or college scholarships but developing friendships, learning about yourself and what you can do as well as what you can't do and of course, memories that usually get better with age. Yes, I know you can do just that playing 1 sport or 5. BUT....Will your kid look back twenty years from now and say with regret..."I should have kept playing soccer because I had a blast playing it with my buddies." Or will my kid look back in twenty years and say "I should have played fall hockey along with the HS season, Model camp and summer league." or "Jeez you know, playing quarterback along with going to State in Hockey and being All-Conference in Baseball was pretty cool Dad." I know what I'd prefer hearing.

[packerboy]

Neut, not for a couple more years.

CNT, Your attitude about this is typical. Its that kind of attitude that has launched the cottage industry that "off season" sports programs have become.

It is pure, unadultrated BS that a kid "isnt focused"or "dedicated" to a sport if he chooses to play another or others. Thats just something that gets said and repeated but is totally baseless. There are lots of kids who enjoy more than one sport and work their tails off at and love each one.

But then some knothead comes along and says" You know you are not dedicated to hockey unless you give up football" . The knothead is usually someone making money on year round training and/or ice time.

As far as injury goes, I know of at least as many kids who show up at tryouts hurt form playng fall hockey as football.

I dont have anything against a kid really loving one sport and wanting to quit others because of it. However, I think a lot of them quit other sports for the wrong reasons.

I also thnk that if you've got the right tools, you will get where you want to go without giving up other sports.

[Can't Never Tried]

BUT....Will your kid look back twenty years from now and say with regret..."I should have kept playing soccer because I had a blast playing it with my buddies." Or will my kid look back in twenty years and say "I should have played fall hockey along with the HS season, Model camp and summer league." or "Jeez you know, playing quarterback along with going to State in Hockey and being All-Conference in Baseball was pretty cool Dad." I know what I'd prefer hearing.

He may, or may not, as long as it's his decision and not mine..but heck we all have regrets huh?

Good points though!

I know one thing I will (already do) look back with the regret that I didn't have a couple more kids, that I could watch in sports

Oh well there's always the grand kids

[Neutron 14]

Neut, not for a couple more years.

Bull. Cretin has a long and sorid history of these "freak" 3-sport athletes. The annual Cretin Award is what they would call it. Haven't youse peoples got enuff reasons to pat yourselfs on your backs?

[packerboy]

Thats true Neut but the reason for that is, in part, because they wont let coaches tell kids that their spot will be in jeopardy if they play another sport.

They usally dont have the full hockey team until after Prep Bowl.

There were 5 guys on this years championship baseball team who also won the 2006 Hockey tournament and they were key guys on both teams.

There were 4 key guys on the BBall team that were key guys on the football team. Both teams lost in the section championship game.

Schools that dont promote mutiple sport athletes are cheating their programs.

Lets get this award in place and start some momentum for the 3 sport athlete and fight back the evil self interseted promoters of specialisaton of the world and the undue pressure they put on kids to quit something they love.

Ahhh, I thought we were going to call it the Packerboy Award.

[Can't Never Tried]

Neut, not for a couple more years.

CNT, Your attitude about this is typical. Its that kind of attitude that has launched the cottage industry that "off season" sports programs have become.

It is pure, unadultrated BS that a kid "isnt focused"or "dedicated" to a sport if he chooses to play another or others. Thats just something that gets said and repeated but is totally baseless. There are lots of kids who enjoy more than one sport and work their tails off at and love each one.

But then some knothead comes along and says" You know you are not dedicated to hockey unless you give up football" . The knothead is usually someone making money on year round training and/or ice time.

As far as injury goes, I know of at least as many kids who show up at tryouts hurt form playng fall hockey as football.

I dont have anything against a kid really loving one sport and wanting to quit others because of it. However, I think a lot of them quit other sports for the wrong reasons.

I also thnk that if you've got the right tools, you will get where you want to go without giving up other sports.

Easy there PB, have you ever lost anything due to injury?
I have, and it could have been prevented!
And now I have to give up things I love because of it, so in that sense I regret doing what I thought would be fun, because now I can't do what I loved.
No one said give it up, or quit, it's about choice's, if you read through it you'll see I said that in my childs case he's made a decision to not risk getting hurt again... in something he likes, to miss something he loves.
If that's a bad attitude oh well.
As far as dedication I guess you have your own opinion and that's fine, but that big kid that decides at 10-11 grade to try football for the 1st time and has little experience to the fundamentals, is exactly the kid who is going to make that bad block, or tackle and end it for some promising young man, and yes, it can happen in the sport you love but that's where you are willing to accept that risk.

Ease up!

[Neutron 14]

Schools that dont promote mutiple sport athletes are cheating their programs.

I'll look forward to seeing Michael Floyd playing hockey this year. Speaking of Floyd, why haven't you locked up his signing with the Gophers? Brewster and us Minnhockers are counting on you. Get busy...

[Can't Never Tried]

The knothead is usually someone making money on year round training and/or ice time.

Or someone who pays for it

[packerboy]

As you know Neut, I never mention names of kids still in high school.

But in response to your last post, check out the CDH BBall roster and you will find some pretty good football players on it.

CNT, the most seriuos injuries we hav ehad in our family occurred on the ice. But you cant let that controll what you do. The only way to avoid injury is to stay locked in the closet.

You can rip up an ankle or knee pretty good playing baseball too.

We agree and I have said that if it truly is a choice, then fine. But I think most of the time kids are pressured into deciding on one spot or another and I dont think thats choice.

So, what do you think of my suggestion for the name of the award?

[Neutron 14]

So, what do you think of my suggestion for the name of the award?

Well since reporters and coaching staffs know who you are because of their avid readership of this fine forum, I think you have a chance.