Sports are awesome!

Only about 5 percent of high school athletes continue to play in college.  No more than 1 percent of high school athletes, representing just the top layer of national-caliber players, get full scholarships. Why are sports so awesome?

Attitude:

Each one of us has to make a choice every morning when we wake up…appreciate life or grumble about it.  Sports teach us that attitude is everything. The “athletic mindset” says that batting .300 is awesome…even though that means you’ve struck out seven out of ten times. 

Authenticity:

Sports shows athletes that they can be super competitive…and their teammates will still be friends with them; that they can be goofballs…without being budged; that they can be their nerdy… studying on the bus while everyone else is watching a movie…and their teammates will still respect them.  Sport teaches athletes to be comfortable in their own skin.

Well rounded:

We need to encourage young folks to play multiple sports.  In order to lessen the repetitive motion injuries that occur, as well as to increase the fun of sports, we should go back to encouraging participation in multiple sports.  Play field hockey in the fall, basketball in the winter, and run track in the spring. 

Healthy living:

Setting goals, learning to work with others, and being a part of something bigger than themselves are all hallmarks of sports teams. Our children can learn to love working out, eating healthy and to enjoy living life in a balanced manner.

Love it:

Many kids turn into student-athletes at small, liberal arts colleges where athletes can sometimes make up 25 to 40 percent of the student population.  Those colleges don’t offer athletic scholarships, but they do offer a student who loves their sport and values their education a place to compete and excel.

Future success:

Learning to lead is just one of the fabulous benefits of sports participation. Girls who play sports are more likely to be successful in their future endeavors. 

“Mark Vacker is a thrill to work with! Makes you feel at ease and really knows how to capture your good side. His studio is fun to work in and he is great at catching you in the right angles. I look forward to working with him again in the future.” – Arielle Newnam