Why Playing Multiple Sports is Good for Students and for CA
By Bill Hall
Director of Athletics
Last month, I came across an article in The Economist about sport specialization. The piece, “Want to Be a Sports Star? Don’t Specialize as a Youngster” goes into detail and references medical findings that explain why focusing on one sport early on in life actually reduces the chance of success and increases the chance of injury and burnout.
Certainly, there have been a tremendous number of articles like this recently; I just found it interesting that it was in The Economist. I have written in the past about my personal observations that contradict the Malcolm Gladwell notion that it takes 10,000 hours of training to become truly outstanding in a particular activity or sport.
I don’t disagree that many hours of training and effort are required to become great; in my opinion, the intense focus on one particular activity or sport is not healthy for most students, especially those that also work hard in the classroom and may have an interest the arts. I feel the well-roundedness that is supported and cultivated through the education of the whole child here at Colorado Academy is most appropriate and leads to the best chance for success in a variety of arenas. Most importantly, I think it leads to a happier and healthier life.
Certainly, there have been a tremendous number of articles like this recently; I just found it interesting that it was in The Economist. I have written in the past about my personal observations that contradict the Malcolm Gladwell notion that it takes 10,000 hours of training to become truly outstanding in a particular activity or sport.
I don’t disagree that many hours of training and effort are required to become great; in my opinion, the intense focus on one particular activity or sport is not healthy for most students, especially those that also work hard in the classroom and may have an interest the arts. I feel the well-roundedness that is supported and cultivated through the education of the whole child here at Colorado Academy is most appropriate and leads to the best chance for success in a variety of arenas. Most importantly, I think it leads to a happier and healthier life.
I have seen hundreds of test cases in my career in athletics that support the notion that waiting and fighting the urge to focus solely on one sport at a young age (say, younger than 15 years of age) is generally more productive to the eventual success of an individual. During the recent NFL playoffs, Chris Hogan of the New England Patriots became a sensation with some clutch catches in the AFC conference game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and in the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons.
Not many people know that Hogan, who was a two-sport star at Ramapo High School in New Jersey, actually played lacrosse for three years at Penn State University before graduating and then transferring to little Monmouth University for one year of college football. Hogan’s multiple sport career is actually not common in this day and age, especially at the collegiate level, primarily due to the for-profit clubs suggesting that youth need to focus early in their career on one sport.
Not many people know that Hogan, who was a two-sport star at Ramapo High School in New Jersey, actually played lacrosse for three years at Penn State University before graduating and then transferring to little Monmouth University for one year of college football. Hogan’s multiple sport career is actually not common in this day and age, especially at the collegiate level, primarily due to the for-profit clubs suggesting that youth need to focus early in their career on one sport.
Says the Economist article, “In 2008, 12% of Americans aged six or less were playing organized sports, up from 9% in 1997. Yet a growing body of research suggests that specialization, (the intense, year-round practice of a single activity at the expense of others) is dangerous for the youngest athletes, while picking a sport later on is in fact more likely to lead to an elite athletic career.”
Maybe it’s more the parents’ focus on one sport, as opposed to the for-profit club messaging that creates the situations that we see today in youth and high school athletics. In an article, “How to Destroy Your Child’s Athletic Future in 3 Easy Steps,” on the website, sportfactoryproshop.com, Matt Russ writes about anxious parents worrying that their children might fall behind if they take time off to rest or try another sport. Because of this attitude, there have been a rising number of orthopedic injuries among children in the last 15 years. In my experience, and from input from a number of medical professionals, excessive repetitive movement can cause injury to growth plates, tendons, and provide permanent damage to young bodies.
Unfortunately, the odds of getting to the top in any particular game, like Hogan in football, are poor and further reduced by parents and coaches who ask for the singular focus early on in an athlete's career. Despite a parent's best intentions, backing off and allowing children to chart their own courses with help from coaches, especially those who have a more realistic, child-centered view as opposed to a profit-centered view, may be most beneficial to long term success and health.
Unfortunately, the odds of getting to the top in any particular game, like Hogan in football, are poor and further reduced by parents and coaches who ask for the singular focus early on in an athlete's career. Despite a parent's best intentions, backing off and allowing children to chart their own courses with help from coaches, especially those who have a more realistic, child-centered view as opposed to a profit-centered view, may be most beneficial to long term success and health.
“Pushy parents and coaches might also look to the cautionary tale of Nick Kyrgios, a mercurial Australian tennis player who gave up his beloved basketball at the age of 14.” Kyrgios is known for pulling out of matches and potentially self-sabotaging his matches due to boredom and a poor attitude. Perhaps sport specialization is the culprit. Kyrgios has been vocal about his dislike of tennis and training, despite the fact that he is potentially the next great player; he is only 22 years old and has beaten Nadal at Wimbledon and Federer in Madrid.
CA has four three-sport athletes who are seniors this year. Celia Osman (volleyball, basketball and soccer), Claire Wright (ultimate, basketball and lacrosse), Kelsey Stone (volleyball, basketball and soccer), and Rebecca Kite (field hockey, basketball/swimming, and soccer). All four of these athletes add a tremendous amount of skill, perspective, effort, and determination to their respective teams during that sport's particular season. There seems to be an uptick of multiple-sport athletes at CA. With only 400 Upper School students and 16 sports offerings, it’s imperative that CA student athletes play more than one sport if we are to continue to build upon the phenomenal athletic achievement that we have had recently.
Just last month, Mile High Sports Magazine ranked Colorado Academy sixth overall in athletic prowess in the entire state, even competing against 4A and 5A schools. Last year, CA’s 3A athletic program was voted first overall, ahead of much larger schools like 5A-Regis, 5A-Valor, and 5A-Cherry Creek. Juniors Chad Dines (football, basketball, and lacrosse) and Kyra Kurtz (volleyball, basketball, and soccer) and sophomores Sloane Murphy (lacrosse, basketball, and lacrosse) and Davis Ebel (golf, basketball, and baseball) come to mind when thinking of underclassmen three-sport standouts that add to the overall success of CA’s athletic programs.
According to Osmond, she plays three sports because she says she likes them all, and “I feel like I am better at soccer, for example, because I play basketball. I also don’t want to be one dimensional!” Osmond has had a stellar CA athletic career, is captain of both the volleyball and basketball programs, and is a true leader amongst her peers.
According to Osmond, she plays three sports because she says she likes them all, and “I feel like I am better at soccer, for example, because I play basketball. I also don’t want to be one dimensional!” Osmond has had a stellar CA athletic career, is captain of both the volleyball and basketball programs, and is a true leader amongst her peers.
Certainly there are positive exceptions to sport specialization, but they are rare. I understand and support the student who wants to dive deep into a single passion.
From my experience, the students that venture outside of their athletic comfort zones benefit from the experience and actually enhance their main sport by stretching themselves both mentally and physically. Having a healthy focus on competing, training, and outcomes is critical for the physical and mental health of all of our student-athletes.
From my experience, the students that venture outside of their athletic comfort zones benefit from the experience and actually enhance their main sport by stretching themselves both mentally and physically. Having a healthy focus on competing, training, and outcomes is critical for the physical and mental health of all of our student-athletes.
I am truly energized by student-athletes who want to try a new sport for the first time, even though their past experience is minimal. Having a positive growth mindset surrounding new competitive athletic ventures is refreshing and encouraged by all CA coaches. Half heartedly, I often suggest that children with little or no experience in a particular sport are a blank canvas and will have success primarily because they don’t have any bad habits! At CA, we actually relish the idea of smaller teams with fewer players in the program; it gives more opportunities to practice and play. That’s the beauty of a 3A school like CA that enthusiastically supports athletics. In order to play at the next level, you have to get the repetitions in practice and play in the games.
As we head into state playoffs in basketball and look to the warm spring months and all the games that happen then, I welcome your input and feedback on the ever-changing youth sports landscape. My door is always open. I hope you get a chance to come out to a game and cheer on our teams and support CA athletics. Check the school website for upcoming game details. Go Mustangs!
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