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Doug Robinson: High school sports cater to the elite
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First, most men in prison started their criminal career in the hours right after school, during their early teens. More sports participation means saving more kids from a life of crime. I know it did that for me.
The more level the playing field, the more kids participate, and the more kids benefit. Every time one challenged kid goes to a "better," i.e., economically advantaged school, it discourages many more equally challenged but not equally talented kids, so they then don't go out for the team the "elite" kid abandoned.
Second, it doesn't have to be either inter-scholastic or intramural, it can, and should be, both.
Does society cater to the elite? Darn right. That is why many of us work hard, because we want to be catered to.
If this is a bad idea, the market will correct it. As for blaming our societies fat problem on not having co-ed sports, I do not agree. I blame it on not having bike lanes, making it so we have to drive our kids to school. Write a story on that one.
If USC is granted participation, down with the UHSA!
Just look at the SEC.
The issue of play where you want is mainly an issue of schools along the Wasatch Front. Generally the small school don't lose as many students due to athletics because the sacrifice is too great to get the student at the neighboring school over an hour away.
UHSAA has not found a solution yet, in spite of their trying different strategies and looking at programs in other states with the same issue. It appears all we can do is slow it down amongst those who are unwilling to manipulate and tell their lies.
That does not mean, though, that schools should be able to recruit or "transfer" athletes and the disappointment of losing is fine in that case. The playing field should be level. As far as I am aware, if a student gets cut from the school team, there is usually some kind of a recreation program in the town for them to participate in. If they can't handle getting cut, they shouldn't try out.
Play where you live; don't recruit or transfer for sports; compete, and have fun--win or lose.
As for the issue of play where you live, clearly it is the parents of these child athletes who are driving the effort to move their kids to "elite" schools because parents dream of scholarships for their kids and to live vicariously through their child's achievements. 90% of kids play school sports for fun. Fun is found where their friends are. Their friends are in their neighborhood: ergo, play where you live is in harmony with what the kids want. Parents, grow up and live your own dreams.
Either you never played high school sports, or you simply have no idea what you are talking about. One doesn't need to start or be 1st string to make a significant contribution to a team, or to get a substantial amount of exercise. What do you think the non-starters do during practice all week, watch Oprah and eat bon bons? They work on their skills, learn discipline, mental toughness, and sportsmanship. Many kids have the opportunity to improve and acquire starting positions if they stick to it and develop their skills. Even those kids who have very little athletic ability can see improvement in themselves, learn discipline, teamwork, mental toughness and gain self confidence without starting on their team. Don't you think these skills can help them in the future? To suggest that all non-starters are just getting fat (with no facts or evidence to support your flawed theory), you unfairly discredit hundreds of hard working kids in this state who are aquiring skill sets that they cannot get elsewhere, which skills will help them succeed in the future. I hope you support your claims with facts and evidence in the future, rather than resort to slopply journalism.
STUPID!!!!!!!!!.
Skyline always won with a lot of players outside of their boundaries. Now that those numbers have dropped, so have their wins. Now Skyline is hoping to drop in classification.
Many kids do work on all three sports year around. These kids go to camps for each sport they play, plus spend individual working on the skills needed for each sport. Then go camping, fishing, hunting etc..
Variety is the spice of life.
Alta is one of the largest schools in the state. He doesn't NEED to recruit.
Look at a smaller school that might feel the need to compete with Alta as a region rival. Jordan has around 1600 kids. That's nearly a thousand less than Alta. I've heard reports of kids who played football in little league for one school that are going to other schools to play on scholarship.
Scholarship? Wait what? Apparently there are kids who do not have to pay fees to play at other schools. I have even heard reports of teams giving a kid a gift card of up to $1000 depending on how good he is to go to the gateway and buy cleats, girdle, workout shirt, etc.
My point? Quit being dirty and just play where you live.
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