http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/01/29/2188823.aspx

quote:

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The Navy commissioned Gallup to look at almost 8,000 attempts to get through the key SEAL training, known as BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL). It turned up very interesting findings about who’s most likely to succeed. The sweet spot? Twenty-two to 25-year-olds, college educated, and NOT from glamour sports (football, basketball and baseball players don’t do any better than non-athletes).

Who does? Water polo players are number one. Triathletes, lacrosse players, boxers, rugby players, swimmers and wrestlers, in that order, also fit the bill. Endurance sports are great predictors of success: mountain biking, climbing and rappelling, skiing and snowboarding. The study has helped the Navy re-make recruiting.

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I haven't really seen a whole lot of lacrosse critics on here recently, but thanks for the info!

I posted on the football board a few weeks ago; lots of negativity. This post was originally posted on the football board and was moved here after about ten seconds. I've posted some photos on the general board, from the SA Reagan vs TMI playoff game Friday night.

Ahhh gotcha. I was going to say, the other sports board doesn't usually spend a whole lot of time trashing sports, since most of us are big fans of the aforementioned sports.

Do you have a link to the pictures? I'd love to see them.

So a sport that spends a lot of time continuously in the water produces people who excel at underwater demolition training.... Who would have thunk it?

I think that the lacrosse critics come more from the dislike for the silver spoon punk alleged rapists and murderers that play the game rather than for the sport itself, which is a lot of fun.

I don' have any of those types on my son's team as far as I know. Again, Reagan is the first public school to win the San Antonio district championship. I also think that the critics think its inferior to football, which might be a logical argument in some cases, but if we're talking Aggie football, well...

[This message has been edited by One-Eyed Fat Man (edited 5/5/2010 3:21p).]

As a water polo player / triathlete / rugger / swimmer, I support this post.

Is this really that surprising? A Navy SEAL must be comfortable in water for long periods of time under adverse conditions.

How many top football or basketball players are good swimmers?

I bet less than 25% of the A&M football players could swim 500 yards in less than 1 hour. These otherwise great athletes are terrible swimmers.

Sports dominated by African Americans would show terrible swimming proficiency. 60% of black children can't swim. It isn't a physical issue - it is a demographic/cultural issue.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24411271/

I couldn't find any data - but I bet lacrosse is overwhelmingly Caucasian. That alone might correlate with some of the things that produce Navy SEALs.

One Eyed - I know there isn't too much summer lax down in San Antonio but we run a league in south Austin if you know of any kids looking for a league. It's on Sundays and indoor.

512lacrosse.com - ran by local coaches and I played at A&M