3/22/2010 - Sports Programs In Doubt
Competitive balance in high school athletics or fiscal restraint?
If you are a superintendent or a member of a local school board, which one would you choose?
Pretty good question, huh?
With Gov. Chris Christie lowering the budget boom on school districts this past week by cutting millions in state aid, I feel most would chose the latter as property taxes in the state have gone through the roof.
Saving the jobs of teachers and valued staff should be first and foremost on all local school boards’ list. But by the rhetoric that has come out before any school budget has been officially released, it looks school sports programs will be No. 1 on the hit list when it comes time to crunching the numbers.
This brings me back to my first question and a subject that has been well covered in this blog over the last two years---realignment.
Yes, I know when the realignment of most of the high school sports conferences in North Jersey came down, no one knew that most schools would be subject to massive budget cuts, but travel costs were and still are a major issue, especially when it comes to the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference, which comprises Morris and Sussex counties and Hackettstown in Warren County.
High Point superintendent Dr. John Hannum was dead-set against the realignment due to the travel issue, and although the NJAC has tweaked its divisions for better travel next school year, will schools have the money to provide transportation to Morris destinations like Montville and Mount Olive?
In a perfect world, schools of similar size would play each other on a level playing field. But as we all know, the world ain’t perfect, and with the fiscal reality of sports programs being cut, should the idea of bringing back the old Sussex County Interscholastic League be taken into consideration?
I think so. I know schedules have been made and everything is set for next year in the NJAC, but New Jersey is in a crisis mode and drastic measures must be taken.
It makes no sense for Vernon and High Point to travel to Mount Olive and Montville when it can play Wallkill Valley, Newton and Kittatinny.
Yes, I know Mt. Olive isn’t far from Hopatcong or Lenape Valley, which Vernon and High Point played in the old SCIL, but every penny saved counts these days.
I don’t think the average taxpayer in Vernon or the High Point sending districts is going to get worked up about playing Group 2 schools. They could care less. And if shorter driving distances can save an assistant coach’s job or a freshmen program, schools should at least think about it.
Athletic directors are going to have to be very crafty in how they spend their limited funds next year. There is already talk of sports like bowling, swimming, ice hockey and indoor track being cut and many sub-varsity sports getting the axe.
You might see more doubleheaders in sports that allow it and more quad and tri-meets as well.
Plus you have the Title IX issue of balance in boys and girls sports which has to be taken into consideration.
There is the play-to-play option, which some schools employ now, which isn’t very appealing. Even in the suburbs not everyone has the extra cash to put out to have their kids play. It just opens an ugly can of worms.
One suggestion is corporate sponsorships. Schools can look to companies for sponsorship to help defray the costs, just like on the youth level. I can see it now, “Ladies and gentlemen, here is the starting lineup for your PSE@G Sparta boys basketball team.”
Yikes!
Pretty soon high school athletes would look like NASCAR drivers with patches all over their uniforms.
I’m not trying to make light of the situation, but it doesn’t look good for now. All extracurricular activities from sports, to band, to theater, should be saved. And if bringing back the old SCIL for one season can help that cause, than I’m all for it.
SPRING UPDATE…As I mentioned before, the NJAC has realigned for next school year, but we still have to finish this school year under the old plan.
So, for American and National Division teams, they will play each other once in baseball and softball, just like in hoops.
In baseball, teams will play 14 division games in the combined American/National. In softball, 13 games because Delbarton is an all-boys school.
It is my understanding that division champs will be decided just like in hoops with the
American and National Division champs determined by best overall record in games against American and National Division opponents.
I will double-check that and get back to you in my next blog.
As for the Freedom Division in softball and baseball, each team will play 12 division games like in basketball, but will have four randomly-drawn crossover games for a total of 16 built-in games.
Only the 12 division games will count toward a championship, but once again, I will confirm that in my next blog. So for example, Wallkill Valley will play Hanover Park, Madison, Whippany Park and Mountain Lakes in its crossovers in softball and baseball.
Also, there will be Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex tournaments for the spring sports. The golf tourney is April 27 at Farmstead, the boys and girls track tourney will be May 1 at Vernon, the baseball final will be held May 16 at Skylands Park, the softball final is the same day at HealthQuest Field in Flemington, the boys tennis tournament will be held May 15 at Green Knolls and the boys and girls lacrosse championships are slated for May 12 at Hunterdon Central High School.
GET WELL SOON…Everyone at Mugs Media wishes Sparta softball coach Rick Poots a speedy recovery after suffering a heart attack recently. Rick has been a friend to Mugs Media for many years and will be missed on the softball diamond this season.
Get better, Rick, and I hope to see you back on the field real soon.
That's it for now, see you on the sidelines.
|
