James Harrison to return sons' participation trophies (1 Viewer)

[TobiasFunke]

We give out participation trophies at work here. They are called quarterly bonuses. They are based off net profits. The amount you receive is based off your salary and I believe something to do with years of service. There are quite a few people who get these based off just participating and not really contributing.

Hell, what about graduation? Every year we celebrate millions of people doing the bare minimum to complete a phase of education. That's the stupidest participation trophy of all. Seems kinda silly to complain about giving a six year old a trophy for finishing a tee ball season when every year we have lavish ceremonies and give gifts honoring idiots for finishing some papers and tests. Yet I bet lots of posters here have their education participation certificates framed and on display in their homes or offices.

 

[Christo]

I can't imagine what is going to happen when this group of kids that we are raising has to make it out into the workforce and deal with some of the Richards that are out there who demand it all done yesterday and don't offer up a cookie for doing what they are supposed to be doing.

Give me a break. I'm 42, and I remember getting participation trophies in youth sports. This is not a new phenomenon.

You did?

Why would I make this up?

Any number of reasons. Where were you when you received these participation trophies?

Kettering, Ohio.

Fake

Yeah, shuke outed himself there.

 

[Christo]

I finished 2nd in the Olympics one time, I threw my silver medal in the trash and told the judges they were blind morons.

Special Olympics?

If DD was involved . . .

 

[Lutherman2112]

If you're against participation trophies for your children, then keep your children out of a program that awards participation.

 

[shuke]

Rewarding and encouraging participation in the youngest players isn't a bad idea. Doing so with a TROPHY is a bad idea.

I don't think a 5 year old who gets a trophy thinks they have won anything.

 

[belljr]

My daughter who made the travel team this year loved getting a trophy when she was little

We get big trophies if you win the league.

 

[fantasycurse42]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

 

[top dog]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

I think most 15 year olds will know if they are not good at a sport. Even if they do get a stupid participation trophy.

 

[Cjw_55106]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

I dont believe my nine year old got one this year. That seems about the right age IMO.

 

[fantasycurse42]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

I think most 15 year olds will know if they are not good at a sport. Even if they do get a stupid participation trophy.

If the trophy is stupid, why give it?

 

[TobiasFunke]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

Participation trophies never stop. We reward people for simply completing things that aren't really difficult to complete constantly throughout their lives. Letters for sports, graduations, anniversaries, retirement parties- none of them require you to excel at anything or defeat anyone. Birthday gifts and parties or dinners or whatever are the easiest participation trophies to earn of all. Congratulations on sustaining brain activity for one full orbit of the sun!

The only thing that changes is that people get old enough to realize what they're good at and what they're not. I don't think they'll stop doing that just because we give cheap hunks of plastic to little kids for going to some soccer games and practices. And I'm not sure we need to pick some specific age to stop at- we just kind of decide what we want to reward and what we don't, hasn't really been a problem so far.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Birthday gifts and parties or dinners or whatever are the easiest participation trophies to earn of all. Congratulations on sustaining brain activity for one full orbit of the sun!

 

[flapgreen]

I finished 2nd in the Olympics one time, I threw my silver medal in the trash and told the judges they were blind morons.

Was Arnold upset?

 

[flapgreen]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

Do you have kids? Why does it matter when it stops? I don't think participation trophies are what's ruined this country.

 

[parrot]

Birthday gifts and parties or dinners or whatever are the easiest participation trophies to earn of all. Congratulations on sustaining brain activity for one full orbit of the sun!

I am totally stealing that.

 

[fantasycurse42]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

Do you have kids? Why does it matter when it stops? I don't think participation trophies are what's ruined this country.

One kid, another on the way...

My children, as they get older will learn from me that just because you participated doesn't mean you are rewarded with anything. Not at a young age, but prob about 9-10ish.

 

[parrot]

Just got into this topic of conversation at a BBQ yesterday. It was agreed upon that this is a big reason why American's have become so soft.

Participation Trophy's, winning doesn't matter just have fun, no discipline, political correctness.

We are raising a bunch of softies.

This has been discussed here pretty thoroughly before, but please go to a travel tournament for football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, hockey, lacrosse, gymnastics, cheerleading, etc. and report back how much "winning doesn't matter".

 

[top dog]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

I think most 15 year olds will know if they are not good at a sport. Even if they do get a stupid participation trophy.

If the trophy is stupid, why give it?

I personally wouldn't give a participation trophy/certificate over the age of grade schoolers. My point is that if one is given out, is it REALLY something to even worry about? it will police itself with the kids. Once the kids are old enough where winning is important, they care. If someone gives out a "participation" award, the older kids will just laugh at it because they have matured enough to where winning and losing is important to them.

Giving out participation awards will not make older kids not want to win. I think it just helps a younger kid's self esteem.

 

[larch]

I can't imagine what is going to happen when this group of kids that we are raising has to make it out into the workforce and deal with some of the Richards that are out there who demand it all done yesterday and don't offer up a cookie for doing what they are supposed to be doing.

Give me a break. I'm 42, and I remember getting participation trophies in youth sports. This is not a new phenomenon.

This explains so much now.

This actually makes me feel awesome, coming from the board's biggest loser.

I am "acting", what is your excuse?

 

[tom22406]

I don't really mind the younger kids getting something but once they hit 10 I really don't think this is a good idea,much like the not keeping score that goes on in some rec leagues because they don't want them to be labeled as losers.Ask a kid that plays in those games what the score really was and just about all of them know.

As a kid growing up losing was a great motivational factor for me wanting to get better.I know it's hard to believe any FBG ever lost at anything but yes it does happen.

 

[comfortably numb]

Why do most topics now have to evolve to picking a side and throwing stones?

Why can't what Harrison believes what he wants to do is fine for him and his family instead of him being a doosh.

Why can't someone who appreciates a participation trophy for their kid be fine with it and not be ruining America.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Why do most topics now have to evolve to picking a side and throwing stones?

Why can't what Harrison believes what he wants to do is fine for him and his family instead of him being a doosh.

Why can't someone who appreciates a participation trophy for their kid be fine with it and not be ruining America.

Asking why Harrison can't simply do his own thing without being a doosh about it is like asking why a zebra can't just do his thing without being all stripe-y.

 

[flapgreen]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

Do you have kids? Why does it matter when it stops? I don't think participation trophies are what's ruined this country.

One kid, another on the way...

My children, as they get older will learn from me that just because you participated doesn't mean you are rewarded with anything. Not at a young age, but prob about 9-10ish.

You said it. They'll learn from you. If a league my kids are playing in wants to give out participation trophies, it's got nothing to do with what I'm doing as a parent. Taking them back like Harrison is going to do seems childish and counterproductive imo.

 

[Bucky86]

America will never be great again if we continue with these silly participation trophies. Thanks, Obama!!!

 

[cstu]

At what age do you think participation trophies should stop? I mean, does a 15 year old get a trophy just for trying? I don't have an issue with a little child picking up a trophy to feel good, but there does become a limit when a child should learn that they might not be good at something.

I think most 15 year olds will know if they are not good at a sport. Even if they do get a stupid participation trophy.

If the trophy is stupid, why give it?

Trophies are stupid, we should get rid of them all.

 

[Godsbrother]

Don't really care either way but I always thought trophies (any kind) were dumb. Better to use the money to have a team pizza or ice cream party. When your kids get older you end up pitching them all away anyway.

About 10 years ago I managed a multi-community all star team for the PONY league world series. We won the first satellite tournament and got a huge trophy for the team. This thing was close to 5 feet tall. One of the coaches asked if he could have the trophy to put in their concession stand trophy case. I said sure cause I didn't know what I would do with it.

BTW -- We ended up getting killed in the next round of the tourney and didn't even get a participation trophy.

 

[The Duff Man]

My 9 year old and her teammates fought like hell to win their basketball tournament in May. They got a reward for silver....but they know the difference...gold is better.

There is a real problem with sense of entitlement, but I dont think kids trophies are the reason. Poor parenting is a much bigger problem.

 

[Cjw_55106]

Better to use the money to have a team pizza or ice cream party.

The kids are obese already!!!

 

[urbanhack]

FYI-

Everyone who posts in this thread is getting trophy.

 

[bigbottom]

Is high school and teenage club athletics more competitive now than in the past or less competitive now than in the past? If it's more competitive now, then how exactly are participation trophies for grade-schoolers having a long-term negative effect with respective to the level of competitiveness in athletics?

 

[Cjw_55106]

Is high school and teenage club athletics more competitive now than in the past or less competitive now than in the past? If it's more competitive now, then how exactly are participation trophies for grade-schoolers having a long-term negative effect with respective to the level of competitiveness in athletics?

Dont try to figure it out. Half the people think kid's sports are too competitive, win at all costs and the other half think its wussification of America. Neither are correct.

 

[roadkill1292]

Is high school and teenage club athletics more competitive now than in the past or less competitive now than in the past? If it's more competitive now, then how exactly are participation trophies for grade-schoolers having a long-term negative effect with respective to the level of competitiveness in athletics?

Thought provoking question, as usual. The teacups may be a little fragile indeed but the competitiveness levels of yoot sports seem to have gone through the roof, at least from my distant viewing perch. Besides insane Gen X parents, what's driving that trend?

 

[Sweet J]

Don't really care either way but I always thought trophies (any kind) were dumb.

I will say this: When I was a kid (say, under 14), I displayed my trophies from basketball and baseball in my room with pride. Sometimes when a younger cousin came to visit and hung out in my room and asked me about them -- heck yeah I was proud.

Now, I don't see the same pride displayed by my kids, or their friends, when they get trophies. I'd guess that it's directly related to how much easier it seems to get them now than 30 years ago.

So, no, I don't think we are ruining America by handing out trophies to everyone. But I do think it has certainly devalued trophies to the point of making them meaningless. Which is kind of sad, I guess. But it's not horrible or anything.

 

[Chadstroma]

Only one real winner from giving participation trophies... the companies that make them.

Well done James! Well done.

 

[bigbottom]

Is high school and teenage club athletics more competitive now than in the past or less competitive now than in the past? If it's more competitive now, then how exactly are participation trophies for grade-schoolers having a long-term negative effect with respective to the level of competitiveness in athletics?

Dont try to figure it out. Half the people think kid's sports are too competitive, win at all costs and the other half think its wussification of America. Neither are correct.

Sounds like a great idea for a thread.

https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?/topic/729584-youth-sports-conflicting-rants/?fromsearch=1

 

[cstu]

My 9 year old and her teammates fought like hell to win their basketball tournament in May. They got a reward for silver....but they know the difference...gold is better.

There is a real problem with sense of entitlement, but I dont think kids trophies are the reason. Poor parenting is a much bigger problem.

This.

 

[NCCommish]

Why do most topics now have to evolve to picking a side and throwing stones?

Why can't what Harrison believes what he wants to do is fine for him and his family instead of him being a doosh.

Why can't someone who appreciates a participation trophy for their kid be fine with it and not be ruining America.

He decided to make it a public issue. Not us. He could've quietly returned the trophies and gone about his business. Instead he wanted to make a look at what a badass I am point. When he did he opened it up to commentary by the same public he shared it with.So IMO he comes off like a doosh and if he didn't want critique he should've kept it to himself.

 

[tom22406]

Is high school and teenage club athletics more competitive now than in the past or less competitive now than in the past? If it's more competitive now, then how exactly are participation trophies for grade-schoolers having a long-term negative effect with respective to the level of competitiveness in athletics?

Dont try to figure it out. Half the people think kid's sports are too competitive, win at all costs and the other half think its wussification of America. Neither are correct.

Sounds like a great idea for a thread.

https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?/topic/729584-youth-sports-conflicting-rants/?fromsearch=1

I started one a few days back that isn't sports related but it takes it to another level at universities and colleges.

https://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?/topic/730244-the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/

Sparked very little interest for whatever reason.

 

[belljr]

Don't really care either way but I always thought trophies (any kind) were dumb. Better to use the money to have a team pizza or ice cream party. When your kids get older you end up pitching them all away anyway.

About 10 years ago I managed a multi-community all star team for the PONY league world series. We won the first satellite tournament and got a huge trophy for the team. This thing was close to 5 feet tall. One of the coaches asked if he could have the trophy to put in their concession stand trophy case. I said sure cause I didn't know what I would do with it.

BTW -- We ended up getting killed in the next round of the tourney and didn't even get a participation trophy.

What if they have trophies and a party! !

 

[Chadstroma]

Don't really care either way but I always thought trophies (any kind) were dumb. Better to use the money to have a team pizza or ice cream party. When your kids get older you end up pitching them all away anyway.

About 10 years ago I managed a multi-community all star team for the PONY league world series. We won the first satellite tournament and got a huge trophy for the team. This thing was close to 5 feet tall. One of the coaches asked if he could have the trophy to put in their concession stand trophy case. I said sure cause I didn't know what I would do with it.

BTW -- We ended up getting killed in the next round of the tourney and didn't even get a participation trophy.

What if they have trophies and a party! !

Look at Mr. Moneybags over here.

 

[belljr]

Lol...anyone that coaches 5 year olds tball deserves a trophy

Seriously I like the way our league does it. You'll get a trophy up to fourth grade. In 3rd and 4th grade we have playoffs etc and if you win that you get a championship trophy but not the participation trophy.

Our league throws an end of season party for the different age groups etc.

Each coach also has a small team gathering. Usually ice cream and hand out the trophies.

This is all for the rec league. Travel is obviously a different animal

 

[NCCommish]

Lol...anyone that coaches 5 year olds tball deserves a trophy

Seriously I like the way our league does it. You'll get a trophy up to fourth grade. In 3rd and 4th grade we have playoffs etc and if you win that you get a championship trophy but not the participation trophy.

Our league throws an end of season party for the different age groups etc.

Each coach also has a small team gathering. Usually ice cream and hand out the trophies.

This is all for the rec league. Travel is obviously a different animal

Pretty much how we did it.

 

[GROOT]

I think it's fine as long as they don't get rid of MVP or most improved type trophies. It is just a way to commemorate a year of sports. I don't see an important distinction between a ribbon, trophy, or certificate. His kids were probably in some type of private athletic league and paying parents probably expect something more then a piece of paper for their money.

Should people who went to the University of Pheonix return their degrees too?

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I'm all for the trophies, I don't get those saying the kids are doing nothing. Would it be better if they sat on their asses at home and played video games? All the hours of practices and games through the season is a success in itself, nevermind the fact that some of these kids have to put up with parents who think they are the next Elway, Jordan, or Trout.

 

[flapgreen]

Is high school and teenage club athletics more competitive now than in the past or less competitive now than in the past? If it's more competitive now, then how exactly are participation trophies for grade-schoolers having a long-term negative effect with respective to the level of competitiveness in athletics?

Don't confuse James Harrison with this complex topic.

 

[flapgreen]

Better to use the money to have a team pizza or ice cream party.

The kids are obese already!!!

Obesity is better than a participation trophy, guy.

 

[Tom Servo]

I throw ours away. I tried to get the rec park guy to stop buying them. When he finally did he said he got this huge response from everyone else that they really wanted them. So back to the trash I go.

When I coached, the parents/kids always seemed to want some sort of trinket to remember the season by, and I could dig it. A couple years the kids got framed pictures of their team. On my daughter's team when they were younger, the coach gave the girls T-shirts (maybe even with a team picture on it) that the girls are signed, which was pretty cool.

My last year of Senior League, the coach had all of us sign a couple of baseballs. After he got them all back, he gave them to all the 15 year olds (like me) as a way of remembering our last season of baseball. (I wouldn't play another baseball game for 34 years.) Since I sucked so bad at baseball, I kept score for the manager. After my last season, the coach got me a "Scorekeeper of the Year" trophy. To this day, I still have both and they're poignant reminders of my playing days.

Pictures, T-shirts and the like are great and I think a much better alternative to a trophy.

 

[Fennis]

I throw ours away. I tried to get the rec park guy to stop buying them. When he finally did he said he got this huge response from everyone else that they really wanted them. So back to the trash I go.

When I coached, the parents/kids always seemed to want some sort of trinket to remember the season by, and I could dig it. A couple years the kids got framed pictures of their team. On my daughter's team when they were younger, the coach gave the girls T-shirts (maybe even with a team picture on it) that the girls are signed, which was pretty cool.

My last year of Senior League, the coach had all of us sign a couple of baseballs. After he got them all back, he gave them to all the 15 year olds (like me) as a way of remembering our last season of baseball. (I wouldn't play another baseball game for 34 years.) Since I sucked so bad at baseball, I kept score for the manager. After my last season, the coach got me a "Scorekeeper of the Year" trophy. To this day, I still have both and they're poignant reminders of my playing days.

Pictures, T-shirts and the like are great and I think a much better alternative to a trophy.

WTF? You got a participation trophy at age 15 that you are proud of and you were the one who started this thread complaining about participation trophies.

 

[Tom Servo]

I throw ours away. I tried to get the rec park guy to stop buying them. When he finally did he said he got this huge response from everyone else that they really wanted them. So back to the trash I go.

When I coached, the parents/kids always seemed to want some sort of trinket to remember the season by, and I could dig it. A couple years the kids got framed pictures of their team. On my daughter's team when they were younger, the coach gave the girls T-shirts (maybe even with a team picture on it) that the girls are signed, which was pretty cool.

My last year of Senior League, the coach had all of us sign a couple of baseballs. After he got them all back, he gave them to all the 15 year olds (like me) as a way of remembering our last season of baseball. (I wouldn't play another baseball game for 34 years.) Since I sucked so bad at baseball, I kept score for the manager. After my last season, the coach got me a "Scorekeeper of the Year" trophy. To this day, I still have both and they're poignant reminders of my playing days.

Pictures, T-shirts and the like are great and I think a much better alternative to a trophy.

WTF? You got a participation trophy at age 15 that you are proud of and you were the one who started this thread complaining about participation trophies.

The Scorekeeper of the Year trophy was a gag as part of an inside joke, Einstein.

ETA: I was also the only kid who got one.

 

[Fennis]

I throw ours away. I tried to get the rec park guy to stop buying them. When he finally did he said he got this huge response from everyone else that they really wanted them. So back to the trash I go.

When I coached, the parents/kids always seemed to want some sort of trinket to remember the season by, and I could dig it. A couple years the kids got framed pictures of their team. On my daughter's team when they were younger, the coach gave the girls T-shirts (maybe even with a team picture on it) that the girls are signed, which was pretty cool.

My last year of Senior League, the coach had all of us sign a couple of baseballs. After he got them all back, he gave them to all the 15 year olds (like me) as a way of remembering our last season of baseball. (I wouldn't play another baseball game for 34 years.) Since I sucked so bad at baseball, I kept score for the manager. After my last season, the coach got me a "Scorekeeper of the Year" trophy. To this day, I still have both and they're poignant reminders of my playing days.

Pictures, T-shirts and the like are great and I think a much better alternative to a trophy.

WTF? You got a participation trophy at age 15 that you are proud of and you were the one who started this thread complaining about participation trophies.

The Scorekeeper of the Year trophy was a gag as part of an inside joke, Einstein.

ETA: I was also the only kid who got one.

you kept a gag gift for 35 years?

ETA: James Harrison would have done "the Lord's work" and thrown away your participation trophy.