The Great Trophy Debate: Do We Need Participation Awards?
The Great Trophy Debate: Do We Need Participation Awards?
“Daddy, do we get trophies for playing lacrosse this spring?” my son asked me a few months back.
“No, you get to go out and run around and have lots of fun while learning lacrosse,” I said.
“OK!” Then he turned and ran out on the field for the start of his first practice.
According to some people, he should have stormed back to the car and refused to play. After all, there were no trophies being handed out. But he didn’t, because he just wanted to play.
Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot written on whether children should receive participation trophies for youth sports. The debate was ignited when Pittsburg Steelers star James Harrison very publicly returned his 6 and 8 year-old children’s participation awards, stating:...
