WOODBURY – Being a high level athlete has never been for the weak. It requires strength, discipline, and now more than ever, money. Being an athlete, even at the high school level, has become more and more expensive as time has gone on. Having to pay for equipment, coaching, facilities, etc., can–and often does, put strain on both students and parents financially.
While some sports are more expensive than others, all sports require some sort of up front cost to get started. Whether it’s buying new football cleats, golf clubs, shin guards, baseball bats, or anything else, you are going to have to make some purchases in order to get started.
Senior and four-year golf team member at Nonnewaug Jack Nettleton believes that new golf clubs may just be the most expensive purchase needed in order to play a high school sport at the highest level.
“New (golf) clubs are so expensive nowadays,” Nettleton said. “You can spend close to $600 just for a new driver, which is only 1 of the 14 clubs you need in your bag in order to play golf at the highest level.”
While new golf clubs can be outrageously expensive, they are just one of the many sports purchases needed to be made in order to be successful.
Senior basketball captain and football quarterback at Nonnewaug Brady Herman believes that both basketball and football have many hidden expenses that outsiders wouldn’t even think of.
“In both sports, you need to have the proper equipment to even be able to play, let alone be successful,” says Herman. “I have to pay for football cleats, basketball shoes, entry fees for summer tournaments, and more just to be able to play at the level I want to play at.”
Costs like these can eat away at kids and parents financially as they strive to be able to play the sports they love.
Senior and Keene State baseball commit from Nonnewaug Zachary Berardis believes that baseball is one of the most expensive sports that can be played.
“I think that playing baseball every year of your life is one of the most expensive things you can do,” said Berardis. “Every year, I have to buy a new bat which can be hundreds of dollars, new cleats, new pants, and more. I also have to pay a substantial entry fee for any summer camp or tournament that I want to play in. It can really add up over time.”
Costs like these apply to anyone who wants to play a sport. But those who are striving to play in college, have even more expenses than just the basics. Often, many striving student-athletes have to pay for admission into scouting camps and big tournaments that will get more recruiting eyes on them in order to increase their chances of playing at the collegiate level.
“I’ve been to over 10 baseball camps in the past five years,” Zachary Berardis said. “Each one can cost upwards of $200 and sometimes close to even $500. While this is expensive, I think it was worth it to give myself the best chances of being recruited to play college baseball that I could.”
Expenses like these may seem outrageous and not worth it to some people. But, to every sports loving student out there, it’s worth it. Without making these purchases, many students wouldn’t be able to do what they love and build the relationships that they build during these sports seasons. Nowadays there are many support systems out there for the students that can’t bear the financial burden of playing the sports they love.
“I think that even though playing sports at any level is expensive nowadays,” said Brady Herman, “it’s still worth it to build those relationships and have those experiences that you may not have otherwise.”
