Soccer way more popular than hockey

[hilly]

I was talking with a hockey coach today and we've come to the conclusion that soccer is now the No. 4 sport in the U.S. at the high school level.
Congrats to the soccer people, even though the pro stuff still stinks.

[Section5sportsguy]

This is a stat that is useless. Soccer is a much more easily accessible sport for high school students, as it requires very little equipment, while hockey is not even offered in the majority or northern schools, let alone the the southern schools. Also hockey is a tough game to pick up and play, as equipment prices range from the high to ridiculous ranges.

[hilly]

This is a stat that is useless. Soccer is a much more easily accessible sport for high school students, as it requires very little equipment, while hockey is not even offered in the majority or northern schools, let alone the the southern schools. Also hockey is a tough game to pick up and play, as equipment prices range from the high to ridiculous ranges.

you made my point. hockey is for the most part for kids with a lot of money. anybody can play soccer, and that's why it is now the No. 4 sport at the high school - and youth - level. the people that care about hockey are the ones who have friends or kids playing.
soccer has many, many more kids playing and that is why areas like Batavia have two non-winning hockey programs while every school has a boys and a girls soccer program.
the NHL is almost as big a joke as the MLS, so not much to argue about there.

[sflcards45]

I guess I didn't realize it was much of a debate at the high school level. Just look at Section V..how many schools offer hockey, how many offer soccer. I don't think this is really anything new..

[DrewVT6]

Congrats to the soccer people, even though the pro stuff still stinks.

Do you mean watching it stinks?

Or that the quality stinks in this country?

Have you ever been to a big time soccer game?

[hilly]

between youth and high school participation, soccer blows hockey out of the water.
i've watched both pro hockey and soccer on television and both are boring. live, both are somewhat entertaining.
i think the trend is that soccer is growing and hockey isn't. after the strike/lockout a couple of years back, the nhl has not come back. at least soccer is on espn

[sheareralan]

Actually Bowiling is the #1 youth participation sport

[hilly]

Actually Bowiling is the #1 youth participation sport

bowling isn't a sport. it's something grownups do to get together and drink beer. the kids are just preparing for the future.

[UNCTarheels]

Well put hilly, I think your exactly right on that one! Bowling isn't a sport........ It's an excuse to get together and drink beer, it could probably be called a competition but definately not a sport

[DrewVT6]

I don't think we get to decide what is and isn't a sport unfortunately... ...tell the kids from Section V who got "Athletic Scholarships" for bowling that it isn't a sport.

[sflcards45]

His point about the scholarships is pretty valid...and as much as I hate to say it, I guess that qualifies cheerleading as a sport too doesn't it?

[hilly]

i have went bowling twice in the last 10 years or so. as a youth bowler i averaged about 160, with a high game of 211.
i went with my grandfather two years before he died - about five years ago - and rolled a 200. then i hit for 180 when i was out with my friends on a saturday night. and the only warm-up i had for that was bending my elbow.
bowling is NOT at sport.

[Section5sportsguy]

Well aren't you special. :)

[hilly]

Well aren't you special. :)


i try :)