Outside of some specialty schools there really is little to no reason why the schools in Lousiville shouldn't all be 6A enrollment-wise. Actually if the county wanted to be really good about it they could use some of the land freed up by closing a school or two to create state of the art athletic facilties that could be useable by more than one school. They could also sell some of the real-estate they own too. Unless they are hanging on to some of these simply to be cautious in the event of a sudden population influx in the area.

 

 

Great points on both sides, and I especially agree with peprock, just too many public schools. I'm 42, and in my lifetime, there has not been a single new catholic HS started in Louisville. This of course is not counting schools created from mergers, which actually decreases the number of schools.

 

If it were up to me, I'd make al of JCPS single sex campuses, and consolidate from there. And this has nothing to do with football, but more about the learning environment 1st and foremost. Sports would be an added benefit.

How do you even up 6A? Move Desales or Holy Cross to the east end of Louisville and build a third power to start eroding the pool. Fern Creek, J-Town, Seneca, Southern, and Oldham CounT has 1400 students X has 1400 students. Divide 2800 by 3 and now the numbers become 933 at each school. Coach Maddox from Trinity used to coach at J-Town and he used the stat that 3000 kids from J-towns district attend other schools. If a school could start getting those kids, then the field evens out.

But as it stands right now, as long as Fern Creek, J-Town, Seneca, Southern are losing kids in their area to T and X, the titles will continue.

 

 

I like the premise, and it's outside of the box, which I like as well. But the South End needs their catholic HS IMO. They have strong ties to go to school in their communities, with small turf wars between the two schools. The South End has already lost most of their grade schools due to the flight heading east, and this would knock many south enders out of a cathloic school education.

 

On a related note, Mercy Academy moved last year from near dowtown to skirting the outside of the south end. Their enrollment more than doubled, from 96 students to 204 students after the move. The south end greatly benefitted from having an all girls school in their area.

 

I'm an east ender myself, but still think they need schools in that part of town.

I know its not politically correct for me to say it, but I'm saying it again any way: to the extent that X and T get players from the public schools, its the fault of the public schools. I don't care if a kid gets a 50% financial aid package, very few parents would spend big dollars to send their kids to a private school (other than the religious oriented types) and shuns free public transportation, when there is a strong academic and athletic public school alternative that's for free.

 

Trust me, money is a big factor in the quality of athletic programs. So if you are a high school administrator and you only have so much money to go around, you have to prioritize the programs that are going to get the greatest emphasis and resources. For decades on decades, the emphasis at most of the public schools was boys basketball and as a result football suffered at those schools.

 

Thanks for that 1st paragraph. I can't say that and get away with it...I'm a private school supporter. Shhh.

 

I agree with the 2nd paragraph as well. I'm on jury dutythis week, and spoke with a J-town dad, whose son plays baseball. He said they get zero dollars for baseball, but don't know if that's literal or a slight exageration. They even have to cover money for the electricity of the lights for the field. The electric bill, not the actual lights themselves. :eek:

 

Then I get home and see this email in my inbox:

 

 

J’town is trying to rebuild their program. They have someone willing to teach girls the game, but need sticks for the girls to use. Could we collectively get some donated sticks and get them to J’town to help them out?

 

 

I'm shocked they have no money to even start a program up that apparently died in the last few years since it was going a few years back. In private school, we have to pay for our own equipment anyway, except unis. A decent stick is about $200 and up. Do athletes not have to pay for ANYTHING? Do they get free shoes, gloves, bats and ball? Is literally EVERYTHING required to be free in Public schools?

 

BTW, we are sending a stick anyway. If you can help J Town, please do so as well. We need more field hockey teams in the state.

 

Hope I didn't violate a rule here printing that last request.

I like the premise, and it's outside of the box, which I like as well. But the South End needs their catholic HS IMO. They have strong ties to go to school in their communities, with small turf wars between the two schools. The South End has already lost most of their grade schools due to the flight heading east, and this would knock many south enders out of a cathloic school education.

 

On a related note, Mercy Academy moved last year from near dowtown to skirting the outside of the south end. Their enrollment more than doubled, from 96 students to 204 students after the move. The south end greatly benefitted from having an all girls school in their area.

 

I'm an east ender myself, but still think they need schools in that part of town.

Just a note that Mercy beat Assumption in volleyball last year in the regular season. Assumption still won the state but look for the Bobcats to "even it out" in years to come after their move.

 

As to the South End, I agree that maybe they need the school to attend but the facility at Holy Cross has to be under utilized. I wonder if the Archdiocese of Louisville ever looked at selling that facility for a large profit and building new on the east side? I think Holy Cross's enrollment is less than 250 for both boys and girls. If you get 600 students in the east end, I wonder how the financials work out for a potential move? What about Flaget East High School?

I think maybe the problem is that the expansion of JC is for the moment only moving East and North. I know someone said that we have too many high schools, but if the trend changed and the expansion shifted to the south end, i would make a cry for putting a private school down there. The east end before the expansion and the current south end share a lot of similaritites and I don't see why this could happen in the near future. Just my opinion.

I like the premise, and it's outside of the box, which I like as well. But the South End needs their catholic HS IMO. They have strong ties to go to school in their communities, with small turf wars between the two schools. The South End has already lost most of their grade schools due to the flight heading east, and this would knock many south enders out of a cathloic school education.

 

On a related note, Mercy Academy moved last year from near dowtown to skirting the outside of the south end. Their enrollment more than doubled, from 96 students to 204 students after the move. The south end greatly benefitted from having an all girls school in their area.

 

I'm an east ender myself, but still think they need schools in that part of town.

 

I don't see Holy Cross being around in 20 years due to declining numbers. It seems that many south end parents are not buying into the coed aspect and for similar dollars you can send your son or daughter to DeSales, X or Trinity or Mercy, Pres or Assumption. I think DeSales would benefit tremondously and become much stronger if Holy Cross closed. I know DeSales campus needs major facility updates but I think the money could be raised. If St. X grads can send their sons to Trinity and vice versa, surely Bishop David grads could bit the bullet and do the same.

All very interesting comments! I ponder and wonder why has Trinity been so dominate the last eight years? Sure we have numbers! If the ball bounces left, right we could be talking about another issue. Look! I have been involved with Trinity for 35 years and have had two sons experience the PowerT, academically and athletically. Bottom line, it hurts to hear this to some posters, but its all about COACHING and THE SYSTEM! The kids buy into it at the Freshman level and work it for three more years. It's a pride factor and commitment that translates into championships. I love High School football! I see the talented kids that other schools have and with better coaching could be something special. I hope the schools that are doing all the complaining will keep working hard to put the best product on the field. Peace! Have a great 2008!

All very interesting comments! I ponder and wonder why has Trinity been so dominate the last eight years? Sure we have numbers! If the ball bounces left, right we could be talking about another issue. Look! I have been involved with Trinity for 35 years and have had two sons experience the PowerT, academically and athletically. Bottom line, it hurts to hear this to some posters, but its all about COACHING and THE SYSTEM! The kids buy into it at the Freshman level and work it for three more years. It's a pride factor and commitment that translates into championships. I love High School football! I see the talented kids that other schools have and with better coaching could be something special. I hope the schools that are doing all the complaining will keep working hard to put the best product on the field. Peace! Have a great 2008!

 

I find it funny that the same mantra about coaching and the system. Does anyone remember what makes good coaches? Good players and plenty of them. This woe is me, I have no talent is contrasted by the 18 players listed on the Trinity website (http://www.thsrock.net) playing college football plus it doesn't include Blayne Donnell, Steve Orndorf, and Dane Spoelker plus any others that aren't listed.That's at least 21 college players- not too shabby for a non talented team. Add in future alumni players to Florida, Ohio State, and U of L from this years team and the talent argument pales in front of the reality of more players means more wins for X and T. Against teams your size this year, you went 1-2 for the season. Combine Bowling Green and Highlands' enrollment together and then see what kind of team 1400 male students produce.

I can tell you right now I taught school at a public middle school in Lexington. I got my Master's degree and was able to spend 9 days with 9 different Principal's in Lexington. I came home and told my wife there was NO WAY our daughter would be going to the public schools there.

 

I'm sure it might tick some folks off but the facts are that our governement has set our schools up to fail. I had the Principal's be straight up with me and let me see what all went on during a regular day. There are things that have gone on at Private schools that are just as bad but there is a big difference in the ability to be allowed to discipline kids. I think that has played a HUGE role in why a lot of the privates have been successful.

 

There is a luxury IMO of being able to deal with kids that are set up to be more disciplined. One of the big high schools in Lexington got the kids I had and they were as talented as I have been around at that age. The problem is A LOT of them had ZERO home life so the only discipline they had was on the football field a lot of times.

 

I would venture to say that the majority of kids at Private schools have parents who are more involved in their lives or they would not be paying money to feel like they were getting them the best education they thought they could get them. Numbers play a big role, but the kind of kids that these schools get and the support overall those kids get makes a HUGE difference IMO. I went to a plublic high school and had more support from my parents then I could ever imagine. That is not my point. My point is that I've seen both sides of it. I've taught at the #1 school in the state, I've taught inner city kids, I grew up in a rural/poor area. I've been able to experience it all first hand and it's not and easy answer. It's a complex situation with a lot of variables.

 

That is another reason that our state testing system is an absoloute JOKE!!!! The school I grew up in has REALLY struggled with test scores. The schools here are up against things that other schools just don't have to face. The state's solution is that they are going to supposedly come in and cut 36 jobs by next year! You tell me how in the heck a struggling school is supposed to get better by cutting 36 jobs? Classes will get bigger, teachers will have even more on their plate, more teachers will have to teach various subjects etc. I think this whole public/private debate has A LOT of issues, but a lot of it is right in the middle of Frankfort IMO!

 

I LOVE being from the place I am from. I am very proud of the people, the community, the success stories, etc. from here. I am also absolutly worried to death if I am making the right decision keeping my kids here. In the past week I have seen 3 people (1 from home and 2 from college) that were good people go to jail over drugs. Our schools are failing here, the jobs have dried up, so crime is on the rise and most people that get an education move off, leaving a large majority of welfare people here. The government keeps supporting these people and these people keep having more & more kids, making the problem even worse. The message the government has sent here is that we don't really care about your schools. We'll dig you deeper in the hole, but support you when you get out and have no jobs.

 

I never dreamed that I would send my child to a private school, but right now that's where I have sent my little girl because they can talk about faith, and the classrooms aren't overcrowded. I have another decision down the road with my son. I know it's off base but I'm doing it for their education and future, without even putting sports into the equation. If I were in Lex. or Lou. then I would have to think awfully hard about what I would do. The privates don't have to recruit because their reputation and history of their families going to those schools recruit without a word being said. It's a big decision based on money, education, values, beliefs, goals etc.

 

I've gotten off on a tangent, but my point is that Frankfort and Washington should take a lot of the blame IMO.

I am glad that Jackson is back here, and at Ballard, maybe he'll be smart and play us on all levels. He did it al Oldham and they were very competitive games.

I find it funny that the same mantra about coaching and the system. Does anyone remember what makes good coaches? Good players and plenty of them. This woe is me, I have no talent is contrasted by the 18 players listed on the Trinity website (http://www.thsrock.net) playing college football plus it doesn't include Blayne Donnell, Steve Orndorf, and Dane Spoelker plus any others that aren't listed.That's at least 21 college players- not too shabby for a non talented team. Add in future alumni players to Florida, Ohio State, and U of L from this years team and the talent argument pales in front of the reality of more players means more wins for X and T. Against teams your size this year, you went 1-2 for the season. Combine Bowling Green and Highlands' enrollment together and then see what kind of team 1400 male students produce.

 

So then your saying the team with the better players won in December?

 

I don't know what you have against Beatty other them the fact that he has kept Glasier from having undefeated state champions twice now, but you don't turn around from losses like Trinity had against X in 04 and 06 and then win in the big game unless their is some good coaching going on. Unless maybe a lack of good coaching at the other school is what happened? I still want to hug Mike for calling that pass on 2nd down.

^ He is having a brutally tough time letting it go. The kids have already, most of which are playing in the Church Basketball League, it is quite fun to watch. JimmyRef, we know where our failures were, but we were highly more successful than all others in 6A in the end.

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This is not an anti Beatty message. What I am saying is coaching is not the way to even out 6A, Beatty is a great coach, but Lampley was a great coach, Servino was a great coach and I think Kevin Wright was a good coach. Trinity has won state titles before Beatty and they will win them after he's gone but coaching is just one factor but Male, Manual, Ballard, X are not going to hire Lampley, Servino, Beatty and Wright and beat Trinity. Even if they had, would the titles had changed? I think you look at other factors to even out 6A. I point to enrollment growth with no new private High School Catholic schools built in the last 35 years after Flaget closed. Tell that to Oldham and Boone County as they split talent every 5 years with each new school. Imagine if Oldham County only had 1 team. Once again, more good players make better teams. I don't know why that is so tough to admit.

X had 3 starters that I knew that lived outside of Jefferson County. 1 from Oldham and 2 from Indiana. Imagine if Oldham county was removed from Trinity High School not just Trinity football team? What would the enrollment be? Not to mention Indiana and Franklin County?

This is not an anti Beatty message. What I am saying is coaching is not the way to even out 6A, Beatty is a great coach, but Lampley was a great coach, Servino was a great coach and I think Kevin Wright was a good coach. Trinity has won state titles before Beatty and they will win them after he's gone but coaching is just one factor but Male, Manual, Ballard, X are not going to hire Lampley, Servino, Beatty and Wright and beat Trinity. Even if they had, would the titles had changed? I think you look at other factors to even out 6A. I point to enrollment growth with no new private High School Catholic schools built in the last 35 years after Flaget closed. Tell that to Oldham and Boone County as they split talent every 5 years with each new school. Imagine if Oldham County only had 1 team. Once again, more good players make better teams. I don't know why that is so tough to admit.

X had 3 starters that I knew that lived outside of Jefferson County. 1 from Oldham and 2 from Indiana. Imagine if Oldham county was removed from Trinity High School not just Trinity football team? What would the enrollment be? Not to mention Indiana and Franklin County?

You list too many variables to constitute your argument. We were the little guy on the block and won championships, now we are the second big dog around, and we win championships. The only constant, in reality, is us winning championships. Do numbers help us? Sure, they obviously don't hurt. But the vast majority of our kids come from within our county, and more importantly, from our "supposed" feeder schools. It IS our fault we have superior numbers, Trinity High School = Things Gone Right...

Trinity has won some very close games in the playoffs over the last five years that had they gone the other way and I am talking some last second wins against public programs I do not think we would be having this discussion. Those years are 2002, 2005 and 2006. It is an easy analysis to do, that is three of the last six titles. I have said this for a long time that when someone besides Bob R stays at a now 6A school long enough to build a program that is a good coach with a good staff we will see more parity. I will submit 96-00 as examples of this. Trinity lost to four public programs in the playoffs during that time span. Numbers do not play as big of a role in this as some would think. I will not say it doesn't help but it is not the major factor to great success.

 

I could not have said it any better! Coaching! Coaching! Coaching! By the way, do you mean Bob B... GO Rocks! #19!