When attending a school game, you have two choices: varsity and junior varsity. Most students choose varsity games because of their fast-paced, high-octance energy the game brings. Varsity sports get a lot of attention due to their successes in their season, as well as coed since the cricket coed are 3 times championship winners. However, junior varsity is much as successful as Varsity and coed but barely get any attention. Why is that?
Well, that’s because of the amount of doubt that people have in JV sports. One single loss and the team is labeled as unsuccessful. No one is willing to come and see the games because they’re looked at as “inferior” to varsity; no one wants to photograph the game or the players. Alana Jaimal, currently a sophomore who played JV softball in her freshman year, has expressed her concerns about JV sports being undervalued. “I have felt overlooked compared to varsity players because they get all of the attention, even though we put the same amount of effort into the game.”
The JV invisibility can frustrate the players. “People don’t see the bp [batting practice] sessions or the extra time we spend in the field,” Alana said. “Just because we’re JV doesn’t mean that we don’t deserve the same recognition as varsity … I think I can speak for the majority of JV players: we often feel neglected and undervalued.”
She’s one of many JV players who can feel overshadowed by varsity players. People tend to miss out on the climax of JV games: many comebacks of last-minute games, breathtaking plays you never see. As a JV softball player who has been on the team for two years, I have experienced this lack of recognition firsthand.
During my freshman year, I struggled with catching fly balls, which was something I worked hard to improve. When I was finally able to catch my first ever fly-ball during a game, it felt like a huge accomplishment for me. However, there was no one to capture the incredible moment. There aren’t any photos, videos, or anything to be remembered by. Although there was an announcement made about it, many students barely listen to the announcements anymore since they take place during the second period. Because of this, the moment didn’t feel celebrated, instead it just felt trivial and insignificant rather than an achievement I worked hard for. I realized how JV accomplishments often go unnoticed, even when they represent personal growth and progress.
Coach Turner, who has been the JV softball coach for three years, also attests to the fact that JV sports are underappreciated. “I feel like they don’t appreciate the value of JV before they get to the varsity,” Coach Turner noted. “JV sports offer more opportunities for students in the 9th and 10th grade … JV ensures that everyone is included in the sport they enjoy, get the chance to play, understand and build passion for the sport.”
The issue can be improved if the school community makes a stronger effort to support JV sports. Although photography is allowed at JV games, photographers often choose not to attend the games, leading to many important moments going unrecorded. The school can encourage photographers to cover JV games as often as varsity and highlight the moments on the school’s Instagram account.
JV athletes put in the same effort, dedication, time just like varsity players do. And yet their hard work still seems to go unnoticed. These athletes are building up their confidence level and their ability to work which helped them prepare for future success, both on JV and on varsity teams. Ignoring JV sports overlooks an important part of student growth and school spirit.
Supporting JV through announcements and school coverage, the school community can build a more inclusive environment for all athletes. Every level of sports plays a big role in shaping players and strengthening the school as a whole. Junior varsity is just a steppingstone into varsity. It is an important experience that deserves the respect and appreciation they deserve.
Students can make JV sports become more recognized by attending more games and encourage more students to attend to create a stronger atmosphere for the players.
