Eli JV sports: How the other half plays

The JV program provides athletic Yalies with a low-pressure way to get involved.

By Alison Morris

At an Ivy League institution, it often seems you have to be the cream of the crop to become involved in any activity. Through the junior varsity system, a rarely mentioned but integral part of the Eli athletics department, Yale emphasizes that you don't have to be trying out for the Olympics to earn a spot on a Bulldog team. Unknown to most students, many of Yale's varsity teams incorporate junior varsity (JV) and novice players to increase student involvement in athletics.

"We're committed to providing opportunity in all areas of athletics," Colleen Lim, Yale's associate athletic director, said. "Yale seeks to provide students with a liberal arts education, and that includes teaching students about leading a healthy lifestyle. JV sports comes into both of those areas."

Getting involved

Although the women's volleyball and tennis teams are the only squads which boast junior varsity teams completely separate from their respective varsity clubs, several other programs enable students to participate competitively at the sub-varsity level. Soccer, football, crew, and cross country also provide such opportunities for athletes, with overwhelmingly positive results.

"Although the two teams really aren't separate, junior varsity teams are a way for guys who don't get on the field in varsity games to participate," football player Steven Petrie, CC '01, observed. Participation takes place in a variety of ways. The football team schedules approximately five designated junior varsity games a year. Only players who do not largely participate in varsity home and away games are involved in these competitions. "Junior varsity players will often play special teams for varsity in addition to playing in JV games," Petrie added.

The time factor

JV athletics offer Yalies an appealing alternative to the varsity grind. Instead of meeting everyday, women's JV volleyball practices three times a week and has only one weekly match. "There are lots of [JV members] who played volleyball in high school, but can't devote as much time in college," assistant volleyball coach Chris Hill, BK '99, said. "JV is for anyone who wants to compete but can't play varsity or can't make the varsity time commitment."

Women's crew also affords athletes the option of a lesser time commitment. Novice walk-on rowers have the opportunity to row in several of the season's regattas, but there are fewer practice requirements. "A novice recruit basically practices with the varsity team," women's crew novice walk-on Krinka Sigurdsson, BK '01, explained. "But novice walk-ons have one fewer day of training and they don't go to the weight room twice a week like varsity does."

Practice makes perfect

Junior varsity teams also provide mobility within the varsity programs. Very often, prospective freshman athletes are not prepared to enter Ivy League competition on a varsity level. With the junior varsity program, less experienced players have the opportunity to practice with the team and perfect their skills with the possibility of making the varsity roster later in their college careers.

"There's a lot of mobility," JV men's soccer player Aaron Faust, ES '01, stated. "The travel team often changes due to injury, and that gives the JV players a chance to move up." While they are a part of the junior varsity level of competition, athletes practice with the varsity team and also participate in their own games. "JV doesn't travel, but we dress for all varsity home games," Faust said. "We also have `B' games for kids who haven't been getting a lot of varsity playing time." This competitive involvement not only keeps players in shape, but it also gives them focus. "It just keeps the competitive juices flowing," Faust added.

Equal treatment?

Although it may seem that JV players are somewhat separated from and ignored by their varsity counterparts, those involved with the JV program asserted that players on all levels are treated equally. "We try to keep junior varsity as equal with varsity as possible," Hill said. "JV volleyball players have their own uniforms and specially alloted court time. They share equipment with varsity. [In terms of resources], we give them whatever they need." Players agree that junior varsity and varsity athletes are given equal respect. "Regardless of where you stand playing-wise, you're treated the same," Faust said. "Everyone is treated equally. The coaches are very fair."

There's room for everyone

Even teams that don't have designated JV programs allow room for additional players to participate. "Most sports carry extra players on their roster that participate in some varsity games," Lim explained. "It's an opportunity for younger athletes to make varsity teams." Novice and JV athletes who do not qualify to play varsity athletics or who choose not to join the varsity squad still see plenty of competition. Although a novice member of the women's crew team may not make the varsity boat in the Head of the Charles Race (an honor given to only eight rowers and one coxswain), she still has ample opportunity to get her oar in the water. "Everyone will get to row at a few regattas," Sigurdsson stated. "The coaches are very fair. If people don't get to go to one regatta, they'll definitely have the opportunity at another."

These opportunites not only allow players to improve their skills and develop their talents, but they also increase students' confidence while boosting their competitive edge. "Our players are very proud of their involvement," Hill said. "They play at a competitve level. With eight or nine matches scehduled this season, we are looking to keep JV volleyball as competitive as possible."

The incorporation of JV-level programs into Yale's athletic department enables students to get involved in an intense environment that might otherwise not be open to them. With all the competition to make grades, get tapped, make cuts, or get callbacks, students often decide to write off the possibility of competing in collegiate athletics as too challenging or time-consuming. However, potentially thrilling athletic contests in Cambridge, Princeton, or Hanover can be a reality for students whose first priority is not necessarily sports.

Through its inclusive junior varsity program, the Yale athletics department aims to offer the opportunity of meaningful athletic competition to all students, regardless of their levels of skill and commitment.

Graphic by Sara Edward-Corbett.

Back to Sports...