[quote=sdrealtor]I could be completely wrong but I think SoCal is an outlier in this regard. Out here you have affluence combined with an amazing gene pool. When I look up and down the streets of my neighborhood they are filled with former Division 1 scholarship athletes. There are several professional athletes as well as relatives of sports legends around here.
When I first moved here I realized my kids would never be able to compete with that and opted out of most of the organized sports here. They are far more competitive than where I came from and I came from a big time high school in NJ (kinda like Torrey Pines or La Costa Canyon) that regularly won championships in many sports and many alumni that have had professional sports careers. I figured my kids would be smart and that would serve them better in life.
When I talk with friends back east they still view sports as fun and part of a well rounded upbringing but not a way to make money. Many of these kids are seriously talented atheletes but their parents arent sucked into beleiving they are more than they are. I truly beleive its different here.[/quote]
sdr: I think there are several areas of the country (when it comes to football, that is) that have a similar focus to SoCal. Look at Texas, for instance. What’s that old saying about the three most important things in Texas? “God, country and football, and not necessarily in that order.”
Same goes for Florida, Ohio, parts of Pennsylvania. I do agree that the vast majority of the country isn’t as batshit crazy, though. You’re also right about the serious amount of coaching talent in SoCal. Not uncommon to see quite a few former Div-1 collegians on the sidelines of Pop Warner teams these days. I coached with a former 4 year starting middle linebacker from Oklahoma for a couple of seasons. Must be the great weather or something.
