Varsity Letter
- Thread starter RareBreed
- Start date
Typically if you play a varsity sport, you will receive a varsity letter. But my last dealings with high school sports was over 10 years ago, so it might have changed. Maybe now all kids get a letter to go with their trophy.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
I understand. Just don't want to spend the money if he didn't qualify for one due to some unknown circumstance. This is my first dealing with HS sports at the Varsity level so I am clueless.
My daughter got her school jacket before she got her letter. Then we had the letter put on later.
I don't know what it is in todays "participation reward" society, but when I was in high school, in order to qualify for a letter:
Football - you had to play at least one play in 10 separate quarters to letter
Track - one had to accumulate at least 10 points in meets (3 for first, 2 for second, 1 for third) to letter
Basketball - you had to play at least 1 series on the court 10 times in 10 quarters to letter
Also, If you lettered and did not have a school lettermens (today I guess it would be a letterpersons jacket) i.e., you had not previously lettered, you were given a jacket with the letter on it.
In other words, you had to actually participate in a required number of games and races/events in order to letter. We had some guys, especially in football, that made every practice and did not get enough quarters to qualify. Tough to handle, but they were as much a part of the team as those that did qualify, but the rules were the rules, at a time when rules, and not feelings, meant something.
Football - you had to play at least one play in 10 separate quarters to letter
Track - one had to accumulate at least 10 points in meets (3 for first, 2 for second, 1 for third) to letter
Basketball - you had to play at least 1 series on the court 10 times in 10 quarters to letter
Also, If you lettered and did not have a school lettermens (today I guess it would be a letterpersons jacket) i.e., you had not previously lettered, you were given a jacket with the letter on it.
In other words, you had to actually participate in a required number of games and races/events in order to letter. We had some guys, especially in football, that made every practice and did not get enough quarters to qualify. Tough to handle, but they were as much a part of the team as those that did qualify, but the rules were the rules, at a time when rules, and not feelings, meant something.
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kwillia
n/a
If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have sunk any effort or funds into the "cherished" senior year high school memorabilia that are a "MUST HAVE" such as the class ring, school clothing (jackets, sweats, etc.) because truth be told once they graduate high school it is all just childhood stuff and never worn again.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
Oh, I know that but it will mean something to me. Class ring.. not so much. He can buy that himself if he chooses.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
Ok. This is soccer so who knows. I'll talk to one of the parents who I know has a kid with a Varsity letter and see what they say.
Plus he can wear his letterman jacket around school and be cool.
People can pooh pooh that all they want, but it does mean something. And when you think of the money we hemorrhage at our teenagers, popping for a school jacket doesn't seem so outlandish. Plus our jackets were functionally warm - wool with leather sleeves. You're going to buy him a coat anyway, right? Might as well be a meaningful one.
kwillia
n/a
I saved my daughter's letter and will figure out how to scrapbook it. At least it will be seen again when someone flips through the pages years from now.Plus he can wear his letterman jacket around school and be cool.
People can pooh pooh that all they want, but it does mean something. And when you think of the money we hemorrhage at our teenagers, popping for a school jacket doesn't seem so outlandish. Plus our jackets were functionally warm - wool with leather sleeves. You're going to buy him a coat anyway, right? Might as well be a meaningful one.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
Plus he can wear his letterman jacket around school and be cool.
People can pooh pooh that all they want, but it does mean something. And when you think of the money we hemorrhage at our teenagers, popping for a school jacket doesn't seem so outlandish. Plus our jackets were functionally warm - wool with leather sleeves. You're going to buy him a coat anyway, right? Might as well be a meaningful one.
The most I can get my son to wear during the Winter is a hoodie so I know he'd wear a letterman's jackets (unless it's raining or snowing).
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
I was either going to go with the jacket or they make special frames for them. I think it's better to wear than to have it hanging on a wall, at least while he's still in HS.
kwillia
n/a
You can always shadow box his jacket and other memorabilia if its something you really want to memorialize beyond his high school years. I'm going to shadow box my daughter's SKILLSUSA medals and other memorabilia from her tech center days as a present for her when she gets her 4 year degrees next May since it was her Criminal Justice leg of her high school days that set the stage for her adulting career path.
lucky_bee
RBF expert
I graduated HS in 2005 and at my school, NO ONE wore lettermans - I always figured that was a thing of the 80s and 90s, based on movies I'd seen 
Also, my school colors were white and purple 
No one at my school put much stock into purple athletic gear. However I've seen many kids around here sport them. Kinda made me jealous I didn't attend a HS with more school pride. I did buy a school class ring, and while my ring is still classic and pretty, I never wear it. It's sat in my jewelry box for almost 10 yrs. Not sure why I even got one since I never liked my school much anyways.
RB, hope your son gets his letter!
Also, my school colors were white and purple No one at my school put much stock into purple athletic gear. However I've seen many kids around here sport them. Kinda made me jealous I didn't attend a HS with more school pride. I did buy a school class ring, and while my ring is still classic and pretty, I never wear it. It's sat in my jewelry box for almost 10 yrs. Not sure why I even got one since I never liked my school much anyways. RB, hope your son gets his letter!
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
I graduated HS in 2005 and at my school, NO ONE wore lettermans - I always figured that was a thing of the 80s and 90s, based on movies I'd seen
RB, hope your son gets his letter!
I wasn't even sure kids wore them either. I graduated in 1989 and everyone did back then. But I've seen several parents post Senior pictures and several of them are wearing them so I figured "why not!" and started looking into it.
RPMDAD
Well-Known Member
RareBreed, not sure what county you son goes to school in. I did find the requirements in the Interscholastic Handbook Calvert County Public schools, could not find one for St. Mary's county.
XIX. Athletic Awards
A. Athletes must complete the season in good standing as a member of an athletic
team to be eligible for any post-season awards including a varsity letter or allconference
recognition. This would include participation in all regional and state
play-off games unless legally absent or excused by the coach and principal.
B. Athletes must have returned all equipment assigned to them to be eligible for any
awards.
C. Athletes must be recommended to the Athletic Director by the coach in charge of
each sport to be eligible for any awards.
D. Athletes who have been injured during the season and not permitted by doctor’s
orders to participate may be eligible for a post-season award.
19
E. The coach, Athletic Director, and Principal shall make final decisions at the
school level concerning all matters involving athletic awards.
F. The first year a student letters in any varsity sport, he/she will be awarded a
certificate, a letter and a sports pin.
G. The second, third, and fourth years an athlete letters in any sport, he/she will be
awarded a certificate and an emblem.
H. The members of a team winning a conference, district, or state title will receive an
award signifying that accomplishment.
I. All athletes selected to the All-conference team will receive an award signifying
that accomplishment.
J. In sports that have JV teams or freshmen teams, all athletes who complete the
season will receive a certificate of participation.
K. Participation Requirements for Letters;
1. Baseball – a player must play in at least 1/3 of the games.
2. Basketball – a player must participate in at least 20 quarters.
3. Cross Country – A participant must compete in at least ¾ of the meets.
4. Field Hockey – a player must participate in at lest 1/3 of the games.
5. Football – a player must participate in at least 10 quarters.
6. Golf – a player must participate in at least ½ of the matches.
7. Indoor Track – a player must participate in at least ¾ of the meets.
8. Lacrosse – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the games.
9. Soccer – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the games.
10. Softball – a player must play in at least 1/3 of the games.
11. Swimming – a player must participate in at least ¾ of the meets.
12. Tennis – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the matches.
13. Track – a participant must compete in at least ¾ of the meets.
14. Volleyball – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the games.
15. Wrestling – a wrestler must have participated in at least ½ of all varsity
meets.
16. Managers – a manager must attend at least ¾ of the practices and games.
20
17. Cheerleaders – a cheerleader must attend and participate in ¾ of the games
assigned by the sponsor.
18. If other standards are used as the numbers of points scored during the
season in Track, all parties must be officially informed prior to the season.
L. A coach has the option of awarding a letter to any athlete who does not meet the
minimum participation requirements, but who has, in the opinion of the coach, made a
major contribution to the team and program.
Taken from http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/Use...ogram Information/wholesportshandbook2016.pdf
XIX. Athletic Awards
A. Athletes must complete the season in good standing as a member of an athletic
team to be eligible for any post-season awards including a varsity letter or allconference
recognition. This would include participation in all regional and state
play-off games unless legally absent or excused by the coach and principal.
B. Athletes must have returned all equipment assigned to them to be eligible for any
awards.
C. Athletes must be recommended to the Athletic Director by the coach in charge of
each sport to be eligible for any awards.
D. Athletes who have been injured during the season and not permitted by doctor’s
orders to participate may be eligible for a post-season award.
19
E. The coach, Athletic Director, and Principal shall make final decisions at the
school level concerning all matters involving athletic awards.
F. The first year a student letters in any varsity sport, he/she will be awarded a
certificate, a letter and a sports pin.
G. The second, third, and fourth years an athlete letters in any sport, he/she will be
awarded a certificate and an emblem.
H. The members of a team winning a conference, district, or state title will receive an
award signifying that accomplishment.
I. All athletes selected to the All-conference team will receive an award signifying
that accomplishment.
J. In sports that have JV teams or freshmen teams, all athletes who complete the
season will receive a certificate of participation.
K. Participation Requirements for Letters;
1. Baseball – a player must play in at least 1/3 of the games.
2. Basketball – a player must participate in at least 20 quarters.
3. Cross Country – A participant must compete in at least ¾ of the meets.
4. Field Hockey – a player must participate in at lest 1/3 of the games.
5. Football – a player must participate in at least 10 quarters.
6. Golf – a player must participate in at least ½ of the matches.
7. Indoor Track – a player must participate in at least ¾ of the meets.
8. Lacrosse – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the games.
9. Soccer – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the games.
10. Softball – a player must play in at least 1/3 of the games.
11. Swimming – a player must participate in at least ¾ of the meets.
12. Tennis – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the matches.
13. Track – a participant must compete in at least ¾ of the meets.
14. Volleyball – a player must participate in at least 1/3 of the games.
15. Wrestling – a wrestler must have participated in at least ½ of all varsity
meets.
16. Managers – a manager must attend at least ¾ of the practices and games.
20
17. Cheerleaders – a cheerleader must attend and participate in ¾ of the games
assigned by the sponsor.
18. If other standards are used as the numbers of points scored during the
season in Track, all parties must be officially informed prior to the season.
L. A coach has the option of awarding a letter to any athlete who does not meet the
minimum participation requirements, but who has, in the opinion of the coach, made a
major contribution to the team and program.
Taken from http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/Use...ogram Information/wholesportshandbook2016.pdf
GWguy
*
My letter sweater has been hanging in my closet since '72. Can't bring myself to toss it, no one to pass it down to, no reason in the world to save it.
RareBreed
Throwing the deuces
Asked another teammate's mom knowing that her son already had his Varsity Letter. She said they get it after the first season. Going to order the jacket today!
How are you supposed to be all Breakfast Club if you don't wear your letterman's jacket??