Letterman (sports) facts for kids
A letterman is a high school or college student in the United States. They have earned a special award for doing really well in a varsity team sport or other school activity.
Contents
What is a Letterman?
The word "letterman" comes from the special cloth "letter" that students receive. This letter is usually the first initial or initials of their school. Students sew this letter onto a "letter sweater" or "letter jacket" to show off their award. Sometimes, the school even gives them the sweater or jacket itself!
To earn a letter, students must meet certain requirements. These often include playing in a certain number of games or performing at a high level. For example, in American football or basketball, a student might need to play in at least half of all the games in a season. In individual sports like tennis or golf, they might need to play in half or two-thirds of all matches. Students who don't earn a letter might get a certificate instead.
Some schools also give letters based on how well a student performs. In team sports, this could mean scoring a certain number of touchdowns or making many tackles. In individual sports, it might mean qualifying for big state tournaments. Other schools look at things like a student's character, commitment, and teamwork, not just their athletic performance. They might also consider academic grades. This helps reward students who are well-rounded.
The term "letterman" is used for everyone, no matter their gender. A girl who earns a letter in women's basketball is also called a letterman. When an athlete gets their letter, they are said to have "lettered." In recent years, some schools have started giving letters for achievements outside of sports. Students can now earn letters for performing arts, academics, or other school activities.
The Letter Jacket
A letter jacket is a special jacket that looks like a baseball jacket. High school and college students in the U.S. wear them to show their school spirit and pride. These jackets also display the awards students have earned in sports, academics, or other activities. They are also known as "letterman jackets" or "varsity jackets."
What Does a Letter Jacket Look Like?
Letter jackets are usually made with a wool body and leather sleeves. They have stretchy bands at the wrists and waist. The jackets are almost always in the school's colors. The main part of the jacket is often the school's primary color, and the sleeves are the secondary color. Students can sometimes customize the colors a little bit.
Decorations on the Jacket
The most important part of the letter jacket is the large, fuzzy varsity letter patch on the left side of the chest. This patch is usually the first letter or initials of the school. Sometimes, the letter can even have a special symbol for the sport or activity, like a cross country symbol.
The owner's name is often sewn onto the jacket, matching the letter. The year they graduate is also usually added in matching fuzzy letters. The name and year can be placed in different spots depending on the school's traditions. The graduation year is often on the right sleeve or above the right pocket. School logos and symbols for other activities can also be added.
If a letterman plays on a championship team, they often get a large patch for the back of their jacket. This patch celebrates their team's big win. Athletes who win medals in their sport might sew these medals onto their jackets to show off their achievements.
History of the Letter Jacket
The idea for varsity jackets started with letter sweaters. The Harvard University baseball team first used these sweaters in 1865. The letter on these sweaters was usually very large and in the middle of the sweater. Stripes on one sleeve showed how many letters a student had earned. A star meant they were a team captain.
Wearing Your Letter Jacket
Students almost never buy a letter jacket before they have earned a letter. In schools where only varsity letters are given, students usually get their jackets in their junior or senior year. However, many students now earn letters earlier, sometimes in their sophomore or even freshman year. Even so, the jacket is usually bought in the sophomore year. If a school gives junior varsity letters, students might buy a jacket then. The junior varsity letter is placed above the left pocket, leaving space for a future varsity letter.
Some schools might give letter jackets to students at an awards ceremony. But more often, the school only provides the letter itself. Some schools have special programs or fundraisers to help students who can't afford a jacket.
After graduation, many students keep their letter on their jacket. It's a symbol of their accomplishments and school pride, especially for college lettermen.
See also
- Sporting colours
- Blue (university sport)
- Palatinate (award)
