Question

Allen was a good athlete in high school and enjoyed being on the varsity basketball team. When he arrived at college, he did not have the skills or talent to play varsity basketball at a much higher level of competition, but attended all of the college basketball games, played on a couple of intramural basketball teams, wore basketball attire quite often, and kept a disciplined workout routine to stay in good shape. . For Allen, the college varsity basketball team was a(an) ________________________.

Answer 1

For Allen, the college varsity basketball team was an unattainable aspiration, symbolizing the importance of sports in forming personal aspirations and social identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

For Allen, the college varsity basketball team represented an unattainable aspiration at a higher competitive level than he was capable of reaching. Despite his athletic background and passion for the sport, his skills fell short for the varsity requirements. Still, his commitment to attending games, playing intramural sports, maintaining basketball attire, and a disciplined workout routine, underscores the importance of the sport in his life and reflects a broader social context in which sports can signify personal aspirations and social identity. The case of Allen shows the role that sports play in providing a sense of belonging and continuity in an individual's life, even when the highest echelons remain out of reach.