Anon Pursuit of D1 gymnastics financially unsound.

[Anonymous (889d)]

When you calculate the cost to produce a D1 gymnast… most families are at best breaking even even if they get a scholarship. Mathematically it costs atleast $100k to produce a D1 level gymnast if you include the years of training since the child is 6 years old, along with all the travel costs. That money funneled into a 529 savings plan would easily pay for any college that student wanted to attend almost guaranteed. Meanwhile people spend the same amount on a 2% chance at recouping that investment.

I know… we all like to help our children pursue what they love, but it’s getting a little insane the amount of money people need to spend to get their children there.

For wealthy families, I understand it’s probably a drop in the bucket and worth it to gloat about how successful your child is when they go D1. But so many poorer families, getting duped into spending their retirement savings on a long shot chance is just sad. I’ve seen first hand how deep the delusion can run for some families. It’s almost cult like the obsession with it all.

 

[Anonymous (102d)]

My gymnast is a boy. There are only 12 D1 Men’s gymnastics teams, 3 of which are military academies. That’s about 40 spots per year on college teams, and very few of these spots come with full scholarships. So, it should be obvious to parents that college gymnastics is not a realistic goal for the vast majority of gymnasts. And yet, I have met tons of MAG parents who truly believe that their kids are going to get college scholarships for gymnastics! It’s mind-boggling. People just don’t let little things like reality get in the way of their youth sports fantasies!

 

[Anonymous (4e9f)]

When you calculate the cost to produce a D1 gymnast… most families are at best breaking even even if they get a scholarship. Mathematically it costs atleast $100k to produce a D1 level gymnast if you include the years of training since the child is 6 years old, along with all the travel costs. That money funneled into a 529 savings plan would easily pay for any college that student wanted to attend almost guaranteed. Meanwhile people spend the same amount on a 2% chance at recouping that investment.

I know… we all like to help our children pursue what they love, but it’s getting a little insane the amount of money people need to spend to get their children there.

For wealthy families, I understand it’s probably a drop in the bucket and worth it to gloat about how successful your child is when they go D1. But so many poorer families, getting duped into spending their retirement savings on a long shot chance is just sad. I’ve seen first hand how deep the delusion can run for some families. It’s almost cult like the obsession with it all.

I have never actually met someone who thinks gymnastics is a path to a ‘free ride’ or a good investment in that way. Parents pour substantial time and money resources into this because their child is thriving. If they get a college scholarship it’s just icing on the cake.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Yeah, if you view your kid's tuition as an "investment" that will someday pay for itself with scholarships, olympic medals, endorsement deals, etc, then lottery tickets would be a more sound investment.

But that's also a really dumb way to look at youth sports anyway.

What your kid really gets for your money is non-financial benefits. Strength both physical and mental, fun, camaraderie with their team, etc. You're not getting your money back, but what you do get (in the right circumstances) is a happier, healthier, stronger kid.

 

[Anonymous (2011)]

All in costs for my level 10 gymnast are easily at $25k if you add in travel, PT, massage therapist, strength training, nutritionist, Dr copays in addition to tuition and meet fees.

No way this is a financially sound decision. But it’s too late now, we’re stuck in it at this point, hoping college is on the table, but no guarantees.

 

[Anonymous (2011)]

Oops I meant to say $25k per YEAR.