Glitz and Glamor of HS Sports

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

One of the teams on ESPN is from SOuth Carolina. Byrnes.
From the looks of it their ranked 2 in the nation, I suppose.

Starting to look pretty pitaful and im sure any rochester team could give them a fight especially one of the webster teams could beat em.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Alex Cormier

Starting to look pretty pitaful and im sure any rochester team could give them a fight especially one of the webster teams could beat em.

I remember on Syracuse.com an out out state poster bluntly noted that Webster wouldn't last a quarter against the Pennsylvania school or Ohio schools. I agree they're a whole different animal to NY state ball which isn't as intense.
The schools on ESPN have kids being recruited by top 10 division 1 school. Even the Webster schools don't get that kind of attention.

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I remember on Syracuse.com an out out state poster bluntly noted that Webster wouldn't last a quarter against the Pennsylvania school or Ohio schools. I agree they're a whole different animal to NY state ball which isn't as intense.
The schools on ESPN have kids being recruited by top 10 division 1 school. Even the Webster schools don't get that kind of attention.

man, one thing i really wished for when i was still playing was that one of the webster's go out of state and play someone big.

[Kristian Calhoun]

At NBTHS, nothing goes to an extent as far as the example you mention. We usually have a pep rally at the start of each sports season – the entire student body is crammed into the gym, the band plays, the teams are introduced, the cheerleaders perfrom a routine, etc. However, the games are not shown on T.V, or anything really “over the top” happens. But there is a spirit amongst the students who participate in the sports. Members of the football team, for example, wear dress shirts and ties the day before the game, and their jerseys the day of the game, while the cheerleaders wear their uniforms in school the day of the game. There are rivalries amongst the local teams, North vs. South, and such, but nothing really gets too far out of hand.

This past year, my computers teacher was from Texas, and the day after our first pep rally, she was really shocked at how “lame” it was compared to the ones that she was used to attending at her old high school in Texas where the team would run through the banner, etc. [Like your description.]

I guess it all depends on how the sport is looked upon in the area, how important the school views it as and how successful the team is. But then again, our football team isn't too good, and the Robotics team is the most successful team to grace our school. Go figure.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by calhounian

At NBTHS, nothing goes to an extent as far as the example you mention. We usually have a pep rally at the start of each sports season – the entire student body is crammed into the gym, the band plays, the teams are introduced, the cheerleaders perfrom a routine, etc. However, the games are not shown on T.V, or anything really “over the top” happens. But there is a spirit amongst the students who participate in the sports. Members of the football team, for example, wear dress shirts and ties the day before the game, and their jerseys the day of the game, while the cheerleaders wear their uniforms in school the day of the game. There are rivalries amongst the local teams, North vs. South, and such, but nothing really gets too far out of hand.

This past year, my computers teacher was from Texas, and the day after our first pep rally, she was really shocked at how “lame” it was compared to the ones that she was used to attending at her old high school in Texas where the team would run through the banner, etc. [Like your description.]

I guess it all depends on how the sport is looked upon in the area, how important the school views it as and how successful the team is. But then again, our football team isn't too good, and the Robotics team is the most successful team to grace our school. Go figure.

Football is religion in Texas the way basketball is religion in Indiana.
New Jersy has some powerhouse teams in it. I seen them on MSG (like Don Boscoe Prep)

[Cynette]

I'm not sure if the hype is bad if it translates to a positive school spirit and identity. Our school could use a heaping dose of spirit.

Football in this area doesn't seem to get the hype it does in other areas of the country. Many of the teams don't have lighted fields so the games are played Saturday afternoons and don't have the draw of a Friday night game. I remember it being the social event of the week when I was in high school, but I don't think either of my kids has gone to a single football game (one graduated, one is a senior) at this high school.

We had a vote this year for school facility improvements including a new football field with "astroturf," and a new running track. It failed miserably, the taxpayers felt academics was still the most important part of a school building. So it's not completely out of control. But top notch facilities do entice top notch homeowners and businesses to locate themselves in that community, which leads to a wider tax base and a more vibrant town or city. This also entices the groups that give scholarships to students to check out this school, because we've heard good thing about it which benefits more than just the football players. That's why the hype of a football team may be important to the whole area.

On the poster concept...Several of the Varsity teams at Penfield produce poster / team calendars to sell to raise funds. They almost all have some sort of theme to make them less "jock-y," and sort of in the macho pin-up style. I find them quite humorous. I almost think there is a judging of the posters, because I vaguely remember one of the teams winning something in the newspaper for their poster.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by mocat1530

I'm not sure if the hype is bad if it translates to a positive school spirit and identity. Our school could use a heaping dose of spirit.

Football in this area doesn't seem to get the hype it does in other areas of the country. Many of the teams don't have lighted fields so the games are played Saturday afternoons and don't have the draw of a Friday night game. I remember it being the social event of the week when I was in high school, but I don't think either of my kids has gone to a single football game (one graduated, one is a senior) at this high school.

We had a vote this year for school facility improvements including a new football field with "astroturf," and a new running track. It failed miserably, the taxpayers felt academics was still the most important part of a school building. So it's not completely out of control. But top notch facilities do entice top notch homeowners and businesses to locate themselves in that community, which leads to a wider tax base and a more vibrant town or city. This also entices the groups that give scholarships to students to check out this school, because we've heard good thing about it which benefits more than just the football players. That's why the hype of a football team may be important to the whole area.

On the poster concept...Several of the Varsity teams at Penfield produce poster / team calendars to sell to raise funds. They almost all have some sort of theme to make them less "jock-y," and sort of in the macho pin-up style. I find them quite humorous. I almost think there is a judging of the posters, because I vaguely remember one of the teams winning something in the newspaper for their poster.

I remember an incident with the Penfield football team where many of the players were at a party drinking and about half the team was suspended, thus destroying their season. A move by the coach and the school that I applauded. If the kids do wrong they should be punished. Trophys be damned!
I just wonder if any of the coaches atthese big time programs would be just a brave to do such a thing.

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I remember an incident with the Penfield football team where many of the players were at a party drinking and about half the team was suspended, thus destroying their season. A move by the coach and the school that I applauded. If the kids do wrong they should be punished. Trophys be damned!
I just wonder if any of the coaches atthese big time programs would be just a brave to do such a thing.

This might be a whole new topic, but what do other HS's have for no drinking / no drug policies?

From the incident mentioned above...While it didn't actually destroy their season, and the suspensions were from the sports activity only, the suspensions were severe enough to set a precedent. It also impacted almost all the sports teams throughout the rest of the year. If you were a baseball player and you attended that party, your sports suspension was for several of the baseball games the following spring.

And this summer the Board of Education approved a new policy that includes all extracurricular activities, not just sports teams. So if a member of the robotics team gets caught drinking at a party, or voluntarily attends a party where alcohol is served, they receive a suspension from the team's activities.

[Andrew Blair]

High school sports have, in some cases, become bloated and unfocused on players, simply on seasons.


But I think we're kinda the pot calling the kettle black here- FIRST is a huge expenditure of money,(actually, our costs are about the same as our football team a year, all inclusive. We worked it out). We ultimately want what the football teams have- Television coverage, school support, money and kids pouring in.

The only thing we have going differently is that team and community are more or less always tied into the program, so it doesn't have the same propensities so as to end up the same as sports- kids sitting out etc.

I say let them have their tunnel. It was free. I wouldn't want to run through a giant blow up tunnel...but others do, so let them enjoy it.

[Beth Sweet]

I think that it is fabulous that your sports teams have this sort of support from your school, booster club and community. We have to remember, there is life outside of FIRST. These kids are good at football, you are good at robot-building (and subsequent subgroups). Is it fair to hate them, to dislike when good things happen to them just because they have the support that we desire? Of course not! Be happy for them, befriend them even!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

This is quoted (in part) from the District 214 Co-Curricular Code. It is in force for all students at all times anywhere on the planet including events that take place when school is not in session. Robot team members, football, basketball, cheerleaders, even debate teams are subject to these rules.

A. General Rules
Students may be suspended from participation in cocurricular activities for misconduct including but not limited to the following:

1. Inflicting or attempting to inflict harm upon any person or property;

4. *Possession, sale, delivery, use or being under the influence of any controlled substance or the possession, sale, or delivery of “look alikes”;

5. Being present where others are, in violation of this code, in possession, selling, delivering, using, or under the influence of any controlled substance;


C. Cumulative Violations
Violations of the Cocurricular Code accumulate throughout a student's high school career beginning with his/her first participation in cocurricular activities and ending with graduation.

D. Consequences
From first violation to third violation, the intention of the consequences for violating the Cocurricular Code shifts from problem awareness (1st violation), to an emphasis on rehabilitation (2nd violation), to significant punishment (3rd violation). While the consequences for code violations are described below, the administration may, in its discretion, impose additional or more severe consequences for serious code violations.

1. First Violation
A student may be suspended from all participation in each of the cocurricular activities in which he/she is involved at the time of the violation.
The Assistant Principal for Student Activities shall have discretion to determine the date(s), duration, and nature of all suspensions.

Absent circumstances justifying more severe consequences, the suspension will last no longer than for 25% of the total number of contests/performances involved in each of the cocurricular activities in which the student is participating.

A student involved in an activity with no contests/performances or less than four contests/performances shall be assigned an appropriate consequence by the Assistant Principals for Student Activities.

If the violation is related to the possession, sale, or use of a controlled substance, the student will be referred to student services.

A student not involved in cocurricular activities at the time of violation will normally be assigned a consequence beginning upon his/her next involvement in a cocurricular activity. A student may not become involved in a new cocurricular activity solely to serve the assigned consequence. The Assistant Principal for Student Activities may prevent a student from doing so by assigning a consequence to be served during the student’s next involvement in his/her regular activity or activities.

2. Second Violation
Students will be suspended from all participation in cocurricular activities for one calendar year. After a full season suspension from all participation in cocurricular activities, the student may petition the school administration for reinstatement in the cocurricular program.

3. Third Violation
Students will be suspended from any further participation in cocurricular activities for the remainder of the student's high school career. After one calendar year of suspension, a student may petition the school administration for reinstatement in the cocurricular program.

[artdutra04]

What happened to sports being just a game to have fun?

I know all about the character building aspects and all, but there are many other avenues in life that build character or teach you life lessons. I have no problem with people enjoying sports, as there is a fine line between passionate about something you enjoy and being an obsessed zealot. When your city spends millions of dollars to build "top notch high school sporting facilities", while test scores leave a lot to be desired, there's a big problem there.

Last I checked, the primary focus of high school was to recieve an education; and not to waste millions of taxpayer dollars on astroturf football fields that are used about five times a year.

I'm not being anti-sports here. I love to watch go to baseball games and or watch sports on television. I just think that the city can spend the money in better ways than buying fake grass.)

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

What happened to sports being just a game to have fun?

Money.
And if FIRST isn't careful it could easily happen to them as well (And I know money has influenced FIRST to a degree but not to the level that it has in big time sports and I truly hope it never will).

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Originally Posted by Jane

I'm getting everything but this. Can you explain this part and why it threw you into a spin?

From reading it, I'm seeing it as clever marketing and a fundraiser, selling posters of the team to the students, parents, businesses in support of the team.
Jane

This was the most disturbing thing I saw that was added. It outlined the better players standing on the rocks. They were the outstanding stars from last year's season that returned for their senior season. I thought it was overglorifying those players.

The tunnel was good, and I didn't have a direct problem with it. It was the smoke and potential fireworks that I had a problem with. The football equiptment they have is in utter dismay. The uniforms are brand new, usually each year but if you saw the bad underneath, you might have the same feeling as I do. Football is undoubtedly the biggest income for SHS but don't you think that money should go toward the safety equiptment before the fireworks, posters, and, I don't know if I mentioned this, but the endzones being painted?

Sherrard already has, probably, the most school spirit of any Quad City Area school but those things just took it a little too far. It could have something to do with the new coach because the old one was "old school" and against all of this stuff. He didn't even let the players wear numbers 1-9 because it made them stand out. He was a successful coach because he made the players into good people. People I would be proud to work alongside. I know this because he coached me for three years.

I'm proud of the way this discussion has turned out. I thought it might take a more hostile turn than what it has. I wanted to point out the "problems" that I saw at this school. Tradition is tradition, let it remain tradition. Thanks a lot for responding and keep it coming.

[Donut]

Wow, I think Arizona must actually have some kind of football following after hearing the responses in this thread.

There is typically a 30 minute show (Friday Night Fever) every Friday during football season here in Arizona from 11:30 to midnight. It shows highlights from many of the games, scores from everything they get scores for, and they invite a football team+cheerleaders+band to their studio every week. COX Cable (a local cable provider) airs one game every week on their local station. A radio station does highlights, and I found out that starting this year one of the stations will be covering a complete game every week.

Personally I think high school sports can be a great thing. I don't really see a problem with building a new stadium for example. Our stadium has been used by the football team, marching band, drum corps visiting the state, soccer team, track team, our graduation ceremonies, and YMCA football and soccer leagues, so it's by no means a wasted expenditure for an over-hyped sports program.

If we don't believe that high school football teams should be allowed on National TV or have tons of money spent on them, why on earth should a bunch of FIRST teams get the same thing?

In case you're wondering, football is huge at my school. Our football team has only missed the playoffs once in the past 25 years, and our team has made the State Championship 3 times in a row (finally winning last year).

If FIRST teams really want to receive all the school support they want, maybe some of the people on these teams need to start supporting the sports at their school in return. The most memorable comment I've ever recieved about our team was not a business owner telling us what a good community thing our team is, or a school administrator saying how wonderful a teaching program we are, but a varsity football player telling me how amazing he thought our robot was at a pep rally.