For centuries, sports have been the backbone of human entertainment. From the era of gladiators to the modern-day NFL, humans have always turned to these competitions for entertainment. With all of this viewership, many athletes often become stars in their own right. Brand deals, billboards, cereal boxes, or even underwear; However, there’s a side of sports that usually goes unnoticed. The backbone of sports, one could say. That responsibility lies with the unsung heroes of sports: Junior Varsity (JV), trainers, and managers.
As the saying goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Most athletes wouldn’t be where they are today without the continuous contributions of these “unsung heroes”. Managers keep the team in check, ensuring the team is financially stable and operating smoothly on schedule. The trainers ensure everyone’s physical health, providing 24/7 assistance with professional medical care. They keep players physically fit as they train for the big leagues. Finally, the real backbone of modern sports is none other than that of JV players—the players who keep the team together and help it grow.
As a former “JV warrior” myself, I spoke to one of my old JV teammates, Aidan Jones, a junior here at WCHS. He joined the Woodford County lacrosse team his freshman year, playing at the defensive middy position. We met earlier this week to reminisce about the past seasons and what it’s like playing JV on such a great team.
When asked about his thoughts on playing JV and how it differs from Varsity, he stated, “I think there’s a big misconception that JV players are just the trashy guys who aren’t good enough for Varsity, and to that, I couldn’t say they’re more wrong. Sure, I’m not as flashy or unique as someone like Grey Hodge (Jr.), but I’m still putting in the work and practicing with these guys every day. I hold my own.”
I asked him about what it felt like to play JV in the 23-24 season, in which WCHS won the state championship. Aidan told me, “I still get to feel included—bus rides, parties, celebrations, etc. I was there for all of it. While I didn’t play in the final game, I was still suited up on the sidelines, cheering for my friends out there, and it was great. It’s not always just about what team the coaches put you on, it’s about the bonds you form with that team.”
With that being said, it’s great that I’m able to give a spotlight to Woodford’s unsung heroes. These guys are putting in all the work day in and day out, and deserve the same amount of recognition that these varsity guys are getting. For these guys serving as the backbone for modern sports, they truly deserve the world.
