<p>I should say that he was in the arch club this year but couldn’t devote nearly enough time to be active bacause of the time it took for practice and games. Believe it or not, sports really does take a hugh commitment if dedicated which is why many believe it looks great on college apps just as SteveMa said.</p>
<p>momincypress, didn’t you say that the art class was ONE requirement for ONE school that was a reach anyway? Unless he is as interested in art as he is in football, I still believe that he should stick with the sports because I predict both you and he will be sorry if he is in art rather than football when fall rolls around, especially if you are in a school that doesn’t allow you to make changes. Art is a great summer school course, and if he loves it, he can beg the counselor to make the change.</p>
<p>momincypress–I would be addressing that goofy requirement with your school board–seriously, they have to take a football class instead of an academic class??? Again, he has options for art classes outside of school. Why are you not exploring those? That way he can do both and count the art as an EC on his applications vs taking an art class during the school day which would not normally be considered and EC. Even if it is not required at other schools, if he wants to be an architect, he needs the art lessons. He would be much better off doing those privately or at a local college. I would not let him drop football/basketball.</p>
<p>Update- S came home today thoroughly depressed because the head coach talked roughly to him about his lack of commitment to the team for not staying after for workouts etc. S is mild mannered and never spoke up and told the coach his decision about next year. He just stood there and took the tongue lashing. : ( I dont want to embarrass him further by speaking with the coach, and I know this is just a sign of things to come. He stayed after school just to work out with the team and the look on his face when he came home was heartbreaking.</p>
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This is the wrong attitude to have about the art class. It should be an end in itself. </p>
<p>Personally, I agree with those suggesting it’s too early to give up the sports, particularly if you can find an art class or such outside of the school.</p>
<p>That makes me sick! I hate the way some coaches belittle the kids for doing anything other than sports (or football). Happened to my son several years ago when he chose cross country over football. Ugh!! </p>
<p>I would suggest for an EC to volunteer at the local boys club/YMCA as a coach to work with younger kids. He’ll get to enjoy the sport and do some community service. Win/Win!!</p>
<p>That will leave his school day free to take the necessary art class that will benefit him in his college classes later.</p>
<p>I just sent an email to his ARCH teacher and counselor to see if we can sit down and decide on a better course of action. I agree that him giving up football does’t seem like the best option anymore. Maybe the ARCH teacher can give him sketching assignments???</p>
<p>I am really dissapointed in how coaches can be so single minded; but to be fair he doesn’t know the other side. This coming from a women who LIVES for football LOL. I must say this has been the most stressed out I have ever been over a highscool class schedule.</p>