By Katia Jenkins Brown
Staff Writer
Talented but overlooked and ignored, freshman, sophomore, and junior varsity athletes are a large and important part of the student body that needs to be a higher priority for Costa students and the school organizations that keep students updated.
At Mira Costa High School, sports are divided into freshman and sophomore teams, junior varsity or teams for all grades training for varsity(JV), and varsity teams, the highest level possible for skilled athletes.
Costa Vice Principal Jon Shaw stated that he goes to many JV games, but admits they are parallel to the less exciting “minor leagues” compared to the varsity “major leagues.” Opinions like this from important Costa staff can wrongfully influence students ideas, and give them the preconception that JV games are not worth attending.
According to football coach Ray Lee, lower level sports games do not have high student attendance because they start right after school. Sports such as the popular varsity football play at night, and draw much more attention. JV and Frosh/soph games should be scheduled at night, where they can become fun socialevents and a chance to show off their skill to the student body.
Lee also said there is not enough school organization to promote Frosh/soph and JV athletic events. More student hype needs to be driven towards lower level sports so game attendance goes up and lower level sports gain the importance in Costa’s community they deserve. Students can increase publicity for these games by wearing Stampede shirts the day their favorite team plays and attending their games.
In addition, Broadcast Journalism teacher Michael Hernandez said they do not produce stories about lower level sports because they do not have enough time in the show. Broadcast can easily shorten other sections of their morning show to highlight Frosh/soph and JV victories in a longer sports section to help students stay updated on Costa’s Frosh/soph and JV teams.
Even if school organizations like Broadcast and Journalism do not have the time or manpower to give lower sports more attention through the morning show or school paper, they still have websites that students could access to see stories about their favorite Frosh/soph or JV teams.
Many students think Frosh/Soph and JV sports are the lesser sports, but this is because other students and staff do not show them much attention. These sports are all full of outstanding athletes that are being completely overlooked because they have been labeled as unimportant.
Every Costa student can enhance Frosh/soph and JV games by simply showing up in green and gold and supporting their team. High student attendance at games is a great and easy way to shine more light on Frosh/soph and JV teams.
Freshman, sophomore, and junior varsity sports deserve as much respect, coverage, and student turnout as their varsity counterparts because they work and play just as hard, and don’t deserve to be a victim of lack of school support.
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