Quote:
Originally Posted by sgreco
I'd like to remind everyone what a varsity letter is. It is an award earned for participation in a sport. It's not a recognition for any extra-curricular activity. A general sentiment around Chief Delphi seems to be that FIRST is a sport. A sport is "An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others." People seem to think that it's "better" to be classified as a sport than as something else. FIRST is fantastic. In my opinion, it's the best extra-curricular activity one could get involved in during high school. It teaches kids so many things, and it's inspiring to so many individuals. But it's not a sport.
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That may be your definition, and your definition of sport may vary from mine, but in my school district, the marching band and the varsity choir have the opportunity to earn varsity letters. Whether FIRST is a sport or not depends on your definition of sport. With poker on ESPN now, that line seems to get more and more blurred everyday. The definitions do not even agree with each other. They range from recreation to organized physical activity. If my favorite sport (NASCAR) is a sport, and hunting and fishing are sports, why is FIRST not a sport? Isn't our tag line sports for the mind?
For me, FIRST is a sports model with a unique twist... Gracious Professionalism. We compete with our brain in an organized competition. Either way, why is it wrong to recognize those that want to participate in a brain activity instead of a bash your brain activity? Why not give everyone this opportunity to earn a letter. FIRST kids are proud of their accomplishments and deserve this recognition if they want it.
JMHO