Sports are often cherished for their hard-hitting, character-building moments when athletes use the most of their skill and talent to win. But not every sport involves head-to-head competition or even exercise. The Spinnaker asked three UNF coaches to participate in a debate sharing their feelings about whether fishing, cheerleading and chess are truly sports.
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 Mary Tappmeyer Women’s Head Basketball Coach |
“The guys who win tens of thousands of dollars? Yes, fishing is a sport. It’s great they have enough patience to catch a fish. But I would only fish if I was guaranteed to catch a really big fish.“ | “It’s more of a pastime. I am amazed at the prizes for some of the bass fishing tournaments. But I think the fishing gene in my family skipped a generation. I find it very boring.” | “Yes, there are people who catch really big fish, and there has got to be some type of art to what they do. I would fish; for me it’s a very relaxing time to be surrounded by water.“ |
 Mark Vanalstyne Men’s and Women’s Head Track and Field Coach |
“Yes, it’s a sport because it takes a lot of conditioning, and you have to be crazy to let someone throw you in the air and then catch you. But I wouldn’t cheer because I’d be on the bottom of the pyramid.” | “I like when you can measure and see points on a scoreboard. I tend to move away from cheerleading because it’s more judged. No, I wouldn’t cheerlead because I don’t look good in those short skirts.” | “Yes, at least at the college level, because cheerleaders in a way are like gymnasts. But I would not. I would much prefer being the one cheered for. I have a lot of respect for them though – being thrown around like they are.” |
 Linda Hamilton Women’s Head Soccer Coach |
“I would call it the least physical of all the sports but probably the most mental of sports. I have played myself in the past and only enjoyed it when I won. Chess players are very smart individuals.” | “No, I don’t think chess is a sport. I like chess, [but] it’s just not a sport; it’s more of a challenge. I think it is wonderful as long as the players don’t take themselves too seriously.” | “I wouldn’t consider chess a sport; it’s more an intellectual pastime. If I learned how to play, I would be very willing to learn though. Yet for some reason, I think they are way smarter than me.” |
Compiled by Heather Furey.
