During freshman orientation, rising eighth-graders were all packed into the auditorium to talk about what would be happening at school. Faculty gave a school pride speech, including asking anyone not playing a sport to stand up. Those who were not standing were told to join a sport and become a part of the community. Doing so was more exclusive than it was encouraging.
When teachers talk down to people who don’t take sports, they’re leaving students out. Though the sentiment is usually a well-intended encouragement, it’s more often condenscending, and also makes those who don’t actually have the time to make the commitment to a team feel bad.
The faculty needs to come up with a kinder way to express the need for players without comdemning those who aren’t in the tight-knit athletic community, and should try using a more positive method of recruiting.
For those who would love to join a sports team, but can’t spare the time for the demanding practices that come along with it, there’s no need to feel pressured. There is nothing wrong with dedicating your time to a school-affliated sports team, but it’s also okay to keep the school community and sports community separate, and to have a place you can escape to without being shamed for not fully participating in a certain community.