Jeff Stahler for October 27, 2012

Young people need ways to test and push themselves in ways my peers and I did when we were young(er). Sports have become one of the ways they can do so without fear of arrest. It sometimes seems as if today’s adults sit around with their peers and laugh till they weep at their antics from their youth, and then collaborate to make sure their children and grandchildren are unable to have the same kind of memories when they are older.That said, too much focus on sports for the income it brings is a sad necessity for some schools. Sadder because in many cases, the executives in charge of the schools and sports programs are paid salaries per year that oft times exceed the cost of a 4 year degree.I enjoy watching the cheer leading competitions on sports tv, the marching band competitions are good too. Requires discipline, dedication, and teamwork. It is dangerous. Our young people need to have the freedom to take chances. Its the our job to set an example of open minds able to give objective advice so they will always feel free to go where they need for advice.It’s not a perfect world, but it is a goal.Respectfully,C.

I’m all for exercise and athletics to keep kids healthy. The obsession however in America with team sports, football being the worst, most costly, and most dangerous, even deadliest, has destroyed most of our “educational system”. When academic programs across the nation are being cut, so that football teams can still travel, and play, it’s a sick society. That “cheerleaders” are now ending up quadriplegics, to “entertain” the same crowd, is just a continuance of the stupidity.

Track, cross country, golf, tennis, and other “non-contact” team sports can be pursued for a lifetime of good health. Even one on one basketball can last longer. Name me one “healthy and uninjured”, 65 year old tackle football player.

Athletic associations have for some time been concerned about the throws, pyramids, and dangerous gymnastics performed without protection by these “cheerleaders”, but still haven’t bucked the public pressure for more “excitement” than safety.

Looks like we have a bunch of posters who could never make the team. Hey, there’s always room in the band section.

ConserveGov: just a note, I made the state championships in cross country all four years in high school (6th out of 2,300), and track, played golf, and still ski though “running” is out due to disabilities. Many, many, athletes remain athletes without ever playing the most destructive sport to our youth, and national mentality, football.