The debate that never ends, the argument that has existed for as long as sports itself; what makes a sport, a sport?
Is it where it is played? The amount you sweat, the shape you have to be in? Or is it the equipment involved and the hours played?
“All sports involve time, training, and cool uniforms,” said junior Derek Smith.
While the constants in all sports are easy to see, it is the differences between them are often hard to discern. The sports debate can become very heated, so it is also important to see it through the ways others see it.
Every sport has its own differences and challenges that its athletes must learn to overcome. No matter what the sport, practice is always required in order to grow and become better.
“All athletes must be dedicated, hard-working, and perseverant in order to succeed [in their sport],” said sophomore Jeremiah Pickell.
There are many arguments and rivalries that have sprung up between sports programs, and while it is good to have pride in the sport you play, it is also important to recognize that each sport has different obstacles that its athletes must face.
One thing that is a common attribute to all sports is that in order to play them well one must be passionate about them and put in many hours of practice to attain the goals they have set out for themselves. Whether it is on the pro level, college level, or high school level, the athletes that put their heart and soul into whatever they play will always come out on top of those that don’t.
Sports also teach teamwork and the values of working together with others toward a common goal. In team sports the most successful teams may not always have the best players.
“All successful teams must have great teamwork in order to be competitive,” said sophomore Ally Sopata.
What really makes a sport is not the how it’s played, why it’s played, or who plays it; a sport is anything that a person does that they are passionate about. For as long as there have been sports there have been fans, it is evident that people value and enjoy seeing others give everything they have for a game.
Sports show character and define people. To define what really makes a sport is impossible, because the ways in which sports impact the lives of people is ever changing, and lessons it teaches are constantly evolving and impacting the lives of its athletes.