Training in the wings: JV's supporting role

Yale's athletic programs use junior varsity athletes as both varsity feeder and fodder.

Every athlete has to start somewhere. Each die-hard, fight-'til-the-blood-flows competitor has his origins in some grassroots, backwoods program, whether it be a simple game of backyard catch or gym class in elementary school. And somewhere between Little League and the high school bench, "winning isn't everything, it's how you play the game," becomes "do whatever you gotta do to win."

This cutthroat competitive streak has given rise to the multi-billion dollar industry of athletic camps, private coaches, and recruiting frenzies, which motivates every young athlete to run faster, jump higher, and hit harder, all in the name of glory, respect, and the occasional million-dollar contract. But despite the myriad advantages gained from years of intense training and coaching, many athletes are still unprepared to face the rigors of collegiate athletics.

The junior varsity (JV) collegiate program exists to create a fluid transition between high school athletics and college varsity teams. Experience is vital to any team; the JV program not only serves as practice ground for the varsity players, but also lets the JV athletes get a taste of competition, playing both against their higher level teammates and other JV squads. "As long as the JV teams serve as feeders into the varsity program, the JV system plays an important role in Yale athletics," Barbara Chessler, Yale's assistant athletic director, explained. The JV squad also serves as a launching pad for athletes who want to try an unfamiliar sport in hopes of competing at a varsity level. "Take fencing, for instance; many JV players have gone on to play on national championship teams," Chessler added. Yet the critical role of JV players in the Yale athletic community goes relatively unnoticed. Junior varsity squads do not receive separate funding, nor are their games publicized.

Cultivating the field

Football Head Coach Jack Siedlecki agrees. "JV football is crucial in non-scholarship situations such as Yale where player development is a major factor in our success," he explained. "The better we are and more experienced we are at the varsity level, the more important the JV becomes because it gives the young players playing experience and keeps them in the football program." All of the varsity football coaches collaborate on the JV squad, with Siedlecki acting as an observer, scouting his young team for a potentially explosive player that could make an impact on the varsity squad. Many of the Bulldog championship team's current stars, such as Eric Johnson, JE '01, Tommy McNamara, PC '01, and Chris Eger, PC '01, spent at least a year on the JV squad before leading Yale to glory. Virtually all of the Bulldog linemen play at least one year of JV before joining the varsity line-up. Several games are coordinated between Yale and other JV teams within the Ancient Eight in order to give the younger players game experience, making the grueling practices seem less in vain. "I live for the games," JV offensive lineman Sean Fenton, DC '04 said. "Practice is hard work, so playing in JV games makes practicing worthwhile."

Relegated to the back of the bus

Volleyball also practices separately from the varsity squad, training three times a week and competing in one weekly match. But unlike the JV tennis players, the volleyball junior varsity program receives the same resources as the varsity squad, including specially allotted court time and their own uniforms. Many of these JV players have strong high school backgrounds, but simply can't devote the time required by a varsity program. Others are just looking for a means to maintain a competitive streak and routine exercise.

Most athletic teams at Yale allow JV and varsity players to have practice together and follow the same training regiments. Since the entire team practices together, every player is forced to maintain constant intensity, if just out of fear of losing a coveted varsity position. The men's rugby A team changes its roster on a weekly basis, so every practice is a competition between players for a spot on the higher level squad. "Although the A team has its core group of players, each week, the coach picks those who have been playing well and fills the remaining spot with these players," explained rugby scrum-half Micah Block, JE '03.

Stepping up to the plate

The Yale junior varsity program came about because of the overwhelming interest of student-athletes eager to continue their athletic participation in the collegiate arena, but not yet ready to leap directly into Division I-AA competitions. Not only does JV keep the Bulldog competitive edge alive, but it also boosts the confidence of these players as they develop their talents into varsity-caliber level. Yet competition is scarce for JV athletes. Only Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale boast a substantial JV program. But, as Chessler stated, JV athletics are primarily feeder programs used as a means to acclimate inexperienced athletes to the stressful level of varsity sports.

Graphic by Sarah England.

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