<p>My son has played various varsity sports throughout high school. He's used to being in the limelight at our small school and I think it's really bothering him that his sporting days are over. It's not realistic to think he could play at his D2 school, other than intermurals. Anyone have some words of encouragement?</p>
<p>There are club sports, intramural sports. Depending on the school, they can be as rewarding as high school sports.</p>
<p>toledo, many of the sports have club teams which are just a level below the varsity teams. They compete with other schools, usually more locally. Some may even be as hard to got on if they are popular. check the school's web sites.</p>
<p>I also recommend club sports. IM sports tend to be very casual with few practices and many inexperienced players. They can be great fun, but IMs wouldn't be a proper replacement for varsity high school sports. Club sports, on the other hand, are organized teams that have try-outs, serious practices, and matches against other colleges. At the same time, though, the level of competition is below that of the varsity teams and there is less of a time commitment. Another cool thing is that club sports are often offered in sports that aren't widely played in the US at the high school level, and many high school athletes enjoy picking up a new sport, such as rugby, water polo, or fencing.</p>
<p>S3 organized club lacrosse at his school. There is a lot of leeway with the less popular sports if your S is willing to try new things.</p>
<p>Should have been "intramural". Sorry. I haven't heard much about club sports at this particular university. Hopefully, it's an option. In searching their web site, they only list men's volleyball. A third party web site listed men's volleyball, cheerleading, and water polo. This isn't looking very promising, but thanks for the suggestion.</p>
<p>I agree, club sports are very popular, but at my school intramurals are by far the most popular with varying levels of competition. The bigger sports have four levels, from A-D. </p>
<p>"D" is usually for those with little to no experience.
"C" is some experience, but didn't compete on JV or Varsity in HS.
"B" is some JV/Varsity experience, most were starters in HS.
"A" is almost all former starters on HS Varsity, and former collegiate players. </p>
<p>If the directors feel you are too strong/talented for the level you signed up for, they'll bump you up to the level they feel is appropriate so that nobody get flat out embarassed, and everybody gets tough competition. The lower levels try to stay more relaxed though. But my school has well over 50 intramurals offered, so there's something for everyone.</p>
<p>PS--at my school, the prize for the champions is an "Intramural Champions" t-shirt. Doesn't sound like much to an outsider, but it is hands down one of the most prized possessions of students here. Everybody wants to "win a shirt" by the time they graduate and when you see someone with one, you don't know if they won the D level or the A level, but you know that they won something and are proud of it.</p>
<p>My son plays volleyball and my daughter fences, neither of which are varsity sports at their respective schools. Both are club sports. Club sports are competitive and rewarding. Both also played intramural sports.</p>
<p>At my son's school, the intramural champions win the President's Cup. The t-shirt usually has the phrase "You can't buy this shirt" on it. Very highly prized. </p>
<p>Don't write off varsity sports -- you son might be able to walk on.</p>