The Best Thing That Could Happen To Kentucky High School Football

[Ram]

What are some of the things that can be done to greatly improve Kentucky high school football?

 

Please, don't make this a public/private debate, if you think that a split between public and private would be an improvement for high school football, then state that and let it go. I would prefer this thread does not get moved to the public/private forum.

 

The way that I see it, there are two major groups that can improve high school football: the state (KHSAA), and the individual schools.

 

KHSAA - I would like to see the KHSAA put more stringent penalties on schools that violate KHSAA regulations, such as recruiting. I would like the State Championship made into a bigger event. I would like the KHSAA vote down any type of split in public/private.

 

I would like to see the KHSAA put in place more opportunities to promote Kentucky high school players. I think the new East/West game will be helpful in this category, I hope the KHSAA makes this a huge event and continues this game for a long time.

 

I would like to see the KHSAA start sponsoring Senior Combines, possible four, in different regions. And invite the college coaches to attend. I have been told that college coaches to not put much stock in combines that they can't attend.

 

Individual Schools - several schools have put a lot of money into their facilities. I would like to see more school place a priority on improving their facilities. I know that all schools can not afford to put turf in, but all schools can make improvements. Even if it is small improvements over time.

 

Use media sources to the fullest. Some schools do not like the local paper in their region or does not try to get as much publicity from the newspaper as possible. Make the media a resource and use it as much as possible.

 

I have heard this comment on BGP many times, " there are many athletes walking the hall at my school and not playing football". Coaches need to make a priority of getting as many players on the field at their schools as possible.

 

Many schools need to put a priority on their off season programs. Utilize this time to improve. I know many school have quality off season program, and other schools have a off season program, but it could be improved. Make the off season a priority.

 

Get the communities as involved as possible. Make the communities part of the program. This will encourage young kids to want to play for their school. This will do a lot to improve future numbers and create a sense of ownership for the community.

[KYSPORTSFAN]

What are some of the things that can be done to greatly improve Kentucky high school football?

 

Please, don't make this a public/private debate, if you think that a split between public and private would be an improvement for high school football, then state that and let it go. I would prefer this thread does not get moved to the public/private forum.

 

The way that I see it, there are two major groups that can improve high school football: the state (KHSAA), and the individual schools.

 

KHSAA - I would like to see the KHSAA put more stringent penalties on schools that violate KHSAA regulations, such as recruiting. I would like the State Championship made into a bigger event. I would like the KHSAA vote down any type of split in public/private.

 

I would like to see the KHSAA put in place more opportunities to promote Kentucky high school players. I think the new East/West game will be helpful in this category, I hope the KHSAA makes this a huge event and continues this game for a long time.

 

I would like to see the KHSAA start sponsoring Senior Combines, possible four, in different regions. And invite the college coaches to attend. I have been told that college coaches to not put much stock in combines that they can't attend.

 

Individual Schools - several schools have put a lot of money into their facilities. I would like to see more school place a priority on improving their facilities. I know that all schools can not afford to put turf in, but all schools can make improvements. Even if it is small improvements over time.

 

Use media sources to the fullest. Some schools do not like the local paper in their region or does not try to get as much publicity from the newspaper as possible. Make the media a resource and use it as much as possible.

 

I have heard this comment on BGP many times, " there are many athletes walking the hall at my school and not playing football". Coaches need to make a priority of getting as many players on the field at their schools as possible.

 

Many schools need to put a priority on their off season programs. Utilize this time to improve. I know many school have quality off season program, and other schools have a off season program, but it could be improved. Make the off season a priority.

 

Get the communities as involved as possible. Make the communities part of the program. This will encourage young kids to want to play for their school. This will do a lot to improve future numbers and create a sense of ownership for the community.

 

:thumb:

[westsider]

Four proposals ... some are fantasy and some are realistic.

 

1. A return to four-class football, or perhaps a cutback to five classes, and a return to the playoff system in place through 2005.

 

2. Two new Catholic schools are built in central and eastern Jefferson County, effectively splintering the numbers advantage held by Trinity and St. Xavier ... in time, it could help ensure parity in the state's largest class.

 

3. A 1.5 multiplier placed on private schools, which wouldn't keep them from being able to compete for regional and state titles.

 

4. Allowing "co-op" agreements between schools, allowing students at those institutions that don't sponsor football to play for another school's team. The two schools' enrollment would be combined for classification purposes.

[leatherneck]

Four proposals ... some are fantasy and some are realistic.

 

1. A return to four-class football, or perhaps a cutback to five classes, and a return to the playoff system in place through 2005.

 

2. Two new Catholic schools are built in central and eastern Jefferson County, effectively splintering the numbers advantage held by Trinity and St. Xavier ... in time, it could help ensure parity in the state's largest class.

 

3. A 1.5 multiplier placed on private schools, which wouldn't keep them from being able to compete for regional and state titles.

 

4. Allowing "co-op" agreements between schools, allowing students at those institutions that don't sponsor football to play for another school's team. The two schools' enrollment would be combined for classification purposes.

 

I think agree with your middle two suggestions.

 

While I fully realize the ramifications (cost and otherwise) of your second suggestion, I think the two schools as well as the Archdiocese of Louisville need to fully think about that option. The public private issue isn't going to go away unfortunately. At some point if things are not done to rectify some issues, it may happen. Its shouldn't, but lots of things that shouldn't happen, eventually happen. Decreasing the size advantage over most of the other schools in 6A may help diffuse the issue. I think its something the folks in Louisville should study.

 

Your third option doesn't do much to help 6A where the "problem" is, although it would address people upset with LexCath, LCA etc.

 

Its way too early to determine if 6 classes is a detriment or advantage to the growth of Ky football. I'm still a believer that it may actually help in the long run if those teams that get to enjoy some success they otherwise would not have with 4 or 5 classes build on that enthusiasm.

 

Option 4 I don't see helping Ky football at all. Actually it may hurt it as it could result in fewer schools fielding a football team. Furthermore, I can see lots of complaints about being able to concentrate athletes into one team. Furthermore if it makes to consolidate athletes into one team, there may be even more compelling reasons to formally consolidate the schools into one school. But maybe I'm missing something. What's your logic into thinking it will be good for Ky football. ?

[rockmom]

I don't believe there will be new schools built to splinter Trinity & X's numbers. First, the Archdiocese would not do that because it's not about the numbers in athletics, it's about academics first.

 

Secondly, and maybe should be first, the schools are supported primarily by their alumni and the families. The fact that St. X and Trinity each have been able to raise the monies to upgrade both their academic facilities and athletic facilities without any federal or state monies should speak volumes about the commitment of both communities to continue to improve their schools.

 

Thirdly, we have found a way to continue increasing enrollment, while keeping the class sizes at or below the optimal targets that the state has set for public schools.

 

It simply isn't feasible. The cost of building and maintaining two more schools is prohibitive, given the amount of support that is derived from alumni. I don't think you'd see a significant drop in the numbers at either Trinity or X, given the tradition-rich lineage at each school.

 

Just some thoughts about why the splinter-wish wouldn't happen.

[Ram]

Four proposals ... some are fantasy and some are realistic.

 

1. A return to four-class football, or perhaps a cutback to five classes, and a return to the playoff system in place through 2005.

I don't know if going back to four classes will ever happen or not, I guess we will have to see. I would like to go back to the top two teams making the playoffs and playing other districts in the first round. Either that or go ahead and let everyone in the playoffs and get it over with. In my opinion either one would be better then 90% of the teams making the playoffs.

2. Two new Catholic schools are built in central and eastern Jefferson County, effectively splintering the numbers advantage held by Trinity and St. Xavier ... in time, it could help ensure parity in the state's largest class.

I don't know if that will happen or not. That would be up to Trinity and St. Xavier.

3. A 1.5 multiplier placed on private schools, which wouldn't keep them from being able to compete for regional and state titles.

I am all for the 1.5 multiplier. I think it would decrease the argument about public/private. It would not totally do away with it, but it would reduce it. Of course it would not help the 6A.

4. Allowing "co-op" agreements between schools, allowing students at those institutions that don't sponsor football to play for another school's team. The two schools' enrollment would be combined for classification purposes.

Personally, I am not in favor of this. I think it would encourage schools to not field football teams and would raise allegations of impropriety, which would be bad for Kentucky high school football.

[Theoldguy]

I don't know if going back to four classes will ever happen or not, I guess we will have to see. I would like to go back to the top two teams making the playoffs and playing other districts in the first round. Either that or go ahead and let everyone in the playoffs and get it over with. In my opinion either one would be better then 90% of the teams making the playoffs.

 

I don't know if that will happen or not. That would be up to Trinity and St. Xavier.

 

I am all for the 1.5 multiplier. I think it would decrease the argument about public/private. It would not totally do away with it, but it would reduce it. Of course it would not help the 6A.

 

Personally, I am not in favor of this. I think it would encourage schools to not field football teams and would raise allegations of impropriety, which would be bad for Kentucky high school football.

 

And so right you are! When CovCath requested to be moved up one class from 4A to 5A a couple of high schools in NKy were extremely upset about CovCath moving up to 5A. If CovCath had stayed in 4A then you would have heard about the multiplier and when they moved up, all you heard was CovCath should have stayed in their real division. Seems sometimes you can't win...

[westsider]

Option 4 I don't see helping Ky football at all. Actually it may hurt it as it could result in fewer schools fielding a football team. Furthermore, I can see lots of complaints about being able to concentrate athletes into one team. Furthermore if it makes to consolidate athletes into one team, there may be even more compelling reasons to formally consolidate the schools into one school. But maybe I'm missing something. What's your logic into thinking it will be good for Ky football. ?

Some schools are simply too small and feel they lack the financial resources to handle the start-up costs of a football program.

 

Example ... Carlisle County and Hickman County in far western Kentucky. Both are small schools, around 250 or so enrollment, that border counties with schools that play football, but have athletes that could contribute in a football program.

 

Ballard Memorial's program is struggling. An influx of kids from Carlisle County could energize the program. The same goes for Fulton County's existing program and Hickman County.

[westsider]

Personally, I am not in favor of this. I think it would encourage schools to not field football teams and would raise allegations of impropriety, which would be bad for Kentucky high school football.

Hw would it raise allegations of improriety?

[westsider]

I don't believe there will be new schools built to splinter Trinity & X's numbers. First, the Archdiocese would not do that because it's not about the numbers in athletics, it's about academics first.

 

Secondly, and maybe should be first, the schools are supported primarily by their alumni and the families. The fact that St. X and Trinity each have been able to raise the monies to upgrade both their academic facilities and athletic facilities without any federal or state monies should speak volumes about the commitment of both communities to continue to improve their schools.

 

Thirdly, we have found a way to continue increasing enrollment, while keeping the class sizes at or below the optimal targets that the state has set for public schools.

 

It simply isn't feasible. The cost of building and maintaining two more schools is prohibitive, given the amount of support that is derived from alumni. I don't think you'd see a significant drop in the numbers at either Trinity or X, given the tradition-rich lineage at each school.

 

Just some thoughts about why the splinter-wish wouldn't happen.

I don't expect it to happen, and not necessarily saying it should. Trinity and St. Xavier obviously serve their community well in all aspects of education, and that is the most important thing.

 

From an athletics standpoint, I would like to see some "splintering" of the numbers advantage, but I don't know that it would work now, given how well-established Trinity and St. Xavier are. I don't know that two new Catholic high schools, no matter how well-funded and well-staffed they may be, would be able to effectively compete with them for students and athletes.

[rockmom]

I don't expect it to happen, and not necessarily saying it should. Trinity and St. Xavier obviously serve their community well in all aspects of education, and that is the most important thing.

 

From an athletics standpoint, I would like to see some "splintering" of the numbers advantage, but I don't know that it would work now, given how well-established Trinity and St. Xavier are. I don't know that two new Catholic high schools, no matter how well-funded and well-staffed they may be, would be able to effectively compete with them for students and athletes.

 

 

:thumb:

 

I know you know what I think about this subject. :lol:

 

I mainly posted it to clarify for those who would jump on this as a solution.

[westsider]

I know you know what I think about this subject. :lol:

Crystal clearly ... :lol:

[Ram]

Hw would it raise allegations of improriety?

 

I just think it would be bad for Kentucky football. It may not be a bad situation at the start, but I think it would become a bad situation. You could have small school that is a basketball power, then have another small school that is seen as a football power. Student/athletes could transfer to the basketball school and play football for the football power.

 

I'm not sure how you were expecting this to work, but what if you have several small schools in one area and say two do not have a football program? What, or who, would decide what school the non football schools would play for? Would all the players at a non football school have to play for one particular football playing school? Or, would they be able to attend any football playing school?

 

Maybe the rule has changed, but can an athlete not play for a school that offers a sport that his school does not offer? I know this used to be possible. When Fairview suspended football in the 90's, several Fairview players attended Fairview and played football for Raceland.

[rockmom]

Crystal clearly ... :lol:

 

 

More than anyone I know, I feel sorry for you...:lol: You have had more than your share of "earfuls" from me over the last few years about this.

[JIM SEYMOUR # 85]

Four proposals ... some are fantasy and some are realistic.

 

1. A return to four-class football, or perhaps a cutback to five classes, and a return to the playoff system in place through 2005.

 

2. Two new Catholic schools are built in central and eastern Jefferson County, effectively splintering the numbers advantage held by Trinity and St. Xavier ... in time, it could help ensure parity in the state's largest class.

 

3. A 1.5 multiplier placed on private schools, which wouldn't keep them from being able to compete for regional and state titles.

4. Allowing "co-op" agreements between schools, allowing students at those institutions that don't sponsor football to play for another school's team. The two schools' enrollment would be combined for classification purposes.

 

Why does this type of discussion usually include some detrimental swipe - or attempt to lessen the achievements - of T and X ? Instead of undermining what these two have accomplished - over many years - why don't you focus on what the rest of the schools can do to improve and become more competitive. Pretty much sick and tired of hearing about the "numbers game."