I think sports teach a lot. Leadership skills, competitiveness (which to a point is very good), dedication (hey I had to watch a soccer game in 38 degree weather with a steady wind last week and I wasn’t even a player) and other life skills. Also, when the body is in shape the mind works better as well. I am willing to pay extra out of my pocket for my kids school sports, but really don’t think I should have to. The money is already there if used wisely. There is band, drama, chess club, and lots of other activities for kids not into sports, and many like my kids enjoy many activities. And really, there is nothing like representing your school and home town on the field/ court. Life long memories. I love that my two girls want to play sports.
Now the way some schools choose teams or run their programs— completely different story but I don’t think the remedy is to get rid of sports at school. As to Cal - Berkley, probably just wanted to get rid of
anything “competitive”, after all we are all equal in a socialist utopia, don’t ya know.
For roughly 120 years...American leadership didn’t have any connection to sports. For another 40 years after that, it had almost no contribution to our leadership in the country. I’m not exactly sure if this is a good argument or not. Plus I gaze over to sports in Europe...which exists but not within schools...and everyone is happy over the relationship of local towns and villages, without school involvement, to major-league sports.