This topic was very important to me, so I started my research. “what’s the significance of a varsity letterman jacket.”It was amazing to me how little people know about this important part of American culture. The varsity jacket is a fascinating topic that I am going to be discussing today. I will examine the birth of the letterman jacket as well as the appearance, style, decorations, history, & the traditions of the letterman jacket. With the rise of organized sports, the need for uniforms was created. The use of letters or emblems was a way to identify people. The Harvard baseball team adopted Olde English “H” as its first varsity letter in 1865. On the grey flannel shirt, the ‘H’ was embossed. In 1875 the football team first used the ‘H. Interesting to observe is that the letter was used for 25 years by the football team. The practice of the captain to award the jerseys to the best players (Yale and Princeton), has been continued for over 25 years. A player who did not participate in an important game had to return his jersey at the conclusion of the season. An award of the jersey ‘H’ could be the birth of the varsity letter.
In U.S. Sports, the term letterman refers to a student from high school who meets a specific level of performance and participation on a varsity sports team, marching bands, or other school-sponsored performance activities. It is the term that comes from the awarding of a cloth to each participant. “letter”For placement on a “letter sweater”Or “letter jacket”This award is intended to be displayed. Sometimes, the jacket or sweater may be presented as an award, particularly for the first award given to the individual.
In the past, the athlete letter has been associated with elite athletes. But in the recent years there’s been a movement to make it more accessible for all students and to remove performance requirements. For example, a marching or drumline drummer or colorguard member is eligible for a letterman award. This usually goes to an above-classman or section leader. Today, in order to distinguish “lettermen”Schools often require minimum participation and/or performance from team members in order to award letters. In American basketball and American football, a threshold is the participation in a certain level of each quarter. This can often be half or more. This standard is met in a 10-game season if one has participated in at most twenty quarters.
Individual sports, such as golf and tennis, have a threshold that allows for lettering. This is usually participation in half (or sometimes more) of all matches. Other members of the team may be awarded certificates of participation, or any other award of less value that a letter. Many schools will continue to award letters based on their performance in sports that have a minimum number of score, steals or tackles. Individual sports letters can be determined based on whether they qualify for tournaments or state meets. The performing arts letter is awarded according to the performance. Letters may be awarded to students who have been selected for the state choir, receive high scores in major instrumental competition, and musicians who earn first or second place in their instrument section. This award may also be awarded to students who participate in academic clubs, provided that the criteria are met. The school can decide which academic clubs the award will be presented. There are some schools that offer general education. “academic letters”GPA is the most common way to be awarded. Usually, this is students who have a GPA of at least 3.8.
The letterman jacket, also known as a “letterman” jacket in America is worn by college and high school students for team pride and to showcase personal awards in sports and academics. Also known as: “Varsity Jackets”In some cases. The body, or torso is typically made from boiled wool. Sleeves are normally made out of leather. Letter jackets can be made in school colors, with the body in primary school colors and the sleeves in secondary school colors. The jackets are usually made with a banded collar or a hood, for either men or women. Named after the varsity letter-chenille patch at the left breast of the jacket, the letter jacket is often the initials or first letter of the college or high school from which it was made. Since the jacket serves as an award display, the colors of the jacket should be the same color as the letter. The jacket usually has the name of the owner either printed on it or in matching chenille. The year that the owner graduated is usually displayed in matching chenille. School tradition will determine where and when it should be placed. The year is usually sewn just below the right-hand pocket or on the right sleeves. The jacket often has a patch on the back that commemorates the championship won by lettermen.
In 1891, the first letterman sweater was used regularly. “Nine”It was used for baseball and had a black crest on one breast. The predecessor of letter jackets was the letter sweater. If the sweater was a pullover, the letter was often large and center-centered. Stripes on the one sleeves indicated the number of letters that were won. A star was used to indicate a captain. A letterman jacket is almost never bought before a student earns a letter. This is typically in the student’s junior year or senior year of high school, where only varsity letters can be awarded. Junior varsity letters may be awarded to jacket recipients in schools that offer them. However, it is possible for junior varsity letter holders to purchase the jacket. The letter is located just above the left shoulder, which allows room for future varsity letters.
Some schools will award the jackets as letterman jackets, while others may only give the letter.
The letter is usually given by a Canadian male athlete to his girlfriend in America. It is believed that this gesture is a way of showing affection and respect for his partner. The jacket is returned to the girl as a gesture of disapproval in the case of a split.
Works Cited
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letterman
http://mountolympusawards.com/publications/varsityletter.htm