Shawnee has not cancelled their season. They had just 15 kids show up to begin workouts and are trying to round some more up by calling all of their eligible male students.

 

This is more in line with what I'm hearing, as I've investigated further. I was told they only had 11 kids the first day of practice but have been able to get some more kids to come out. The season is still on, with eight games. There seems to be some confusion on the Shawnee and Washington County end, however, regarding the implications of cancelling a district game, and I would look for that game to actually be played.

story

 

The site is subscription-based, but you can browse it for a half-hour for free.

How large of a school is Shawnee?

How large of a school is Shawnee?

 

They are currently 2A in football. The realignment numbers had them at 285 boys, roughly the size of Danville or Washington County. They used to be a lot bigger but I think open enrollment has hurt them. It seems they get smaller each season; their basketball teams have participated in the All "A" Classic for several years now. But football has always been a struggle there. They have only had one winning season since 1970 (6-5 in 2008) and have gone winless 12 times during that stretch. It seems like a difficult place to have success because there likely isn't a great deal of interest. In fact, with the right situation, a school like Shawnee could conceivably compete in their class, similar to how Western has done in 4A.

 

http://louisvillehsfootball.com/SHAWNEE/recap.htm

Shawnee likely needs a high profile coach who will come in and generate excitement. Taft High School in Cincinnati was faced with similar declining interest a few years ago, to the point that they thought they were going to cancel games/season. Mike Martin, the former Bengals wide receiver, stepped in as coach and the program made a huge turnaround. In fact, I believe they made the playoffs last year, which is an accomplishment by itself in Ohio football because only the top 10 or 12 teams in an area make the playoffs. I think they have a player this year that is one of the top recruits in the city. I don't know enough about Shawnee to say this will work there, but it worked for Taft. Find a name coach that the kids in the school would immediately respect and want to play for and things will probably get better very quickly.

Of those 285 boys mentioned above, I guarantee you at least 1/3 of them are ineligible due to grades and/or not being on grade level. 1/3 is a low end estimate. If you knew the real story there, I bet they have less than 75 boys in their upper three classes that are even eligible to try out, much less come to practice, lift weights, and stick with an entire season. Of those 75 many are not athletic minded or have the support from home to participate. Sad situation at Shawnee and many other Jefferson County schools, but the powers that be are fine with it as long as they have a few elite schools still making the grade.

Of those 285 boys mentioned above, I guarantee you at least 1/3 of them are ineligible due to grades and/or not being on grade level. 1/3 is a low end estimate. If you knew the real story there, I bet they have less than 75 boys in their upper three classes that are even eligible to try out, much less come to practice, lift weights, and stick with an entire season. Of those 75 many are not athletic minded or have the support from home to participate. Sad situation at Shawnee and many other Jefferson County schools, but the powers that be are fine with it as long as they have a few elite schools still making the grade.

 

Sounds like they really need a good football program. Many a student on the edge will do the work necessary to make sure they stay eligible for football. It could be a very good thing for the school. Build morale and discipline for the entire student body.

I'm afraid you don't understand the dynamics of the inner city Louisville schools. I know at one time not many years ago Iroquois had 37 boys eligible in the upper three grades and Iroquois is considerably larger than Shawnee. The kids come from all over town and most don't know each other, have never played together, and many don't get along due to gang influences, etc. If you are familiar with Shawnee, you will know it is in a high crime area where parents are not comfortable sending their children to school. Add to the mix that Jefferson County middle schools only started playing football in the last two years (and some still don't offer it) and it makes it impossible for coaches at several schools to have a shot at a decent season. Now lets talk budget. Jefferson County schools give their athletic programs a budget of ZERO. They have to raise every penny for anything other than equipment and supplies for the field. Fundraising is not easy in the west end of Jefferson County. Travel restrictions are also in place for non-district games, so it is not practical to come in and say we have to play an easier schedule to get the kids some wins and build morale.

Then you have to talk about test scores. Most of these same schools that suffer athletically have been labeled "failing schools" by the state. Principals were replaced, teachers were moved around after having to reapply for their jobs, and the whole musical chairs act still won't accomplish much in the end. Until the people making the decisions at the board start making better ones, the bottom feeders will continue to be bottom feeders. The point made about kids working hard to stay eligible does apply throughout most places in this state, but not necessarily in some of these schools. Do some research into how many security guards are in place at these schools, how many regular armed cops are in these buildings, and also how many arrests take place at these schools in a given year. I guarantee you some of the numbers you find will startle you. Then watch the news and learn that 11% of Jefferson County students are homeless. These kids aren't ending up at the elite schools. They are placed at the same bottom feeders that continue to fail academically and athletically. Coaches aren't to blame, athletic directors aren't to blame, and even the teachers aren't to blame. You can only teach and coach what the board sends you and if you do your research you will soon find out that there are six or seven schools in Jefferson County that aren't on the same playing field as the others. There is a reason for it and it has nothing to do with the coaches. I won't name the schools, but look back at the past say 7-8 years and you won't have trouble identifying the ones I am talking about.

One more point and I'll stop my rant. Shawnee football is doing the best they can to put a product on the field. Last year they made it eight games into their season before the had to cancel the remaining games. The baseball team played just five games before folding, while the softball team got nine games in before folding. Volleyball didn't have enough interest to even begin a season. Both the girls and boys basketball teams finished the year with fewer than ten players on the team. You see a trend here? The kids simply aren't willing to do what it takes, or in some cases, just aren't there to begin with in order to fill these teams. Shawnee has some quality coaches in place and have for a long time. Shawnee has a new athletic director that will do a great job. But again, until the board does some things to help them out, they will be spinning their wheels and trying to keep their head above water athletically and academically.

Imsosilly I understand fully the problems in west end of Louisville. But 1 of two things can happen. Coaches and Kids can pack it in and say it can't be done or They can pick each other up and do it in spite of everything else. Society tells us that Shawnee should give up. But it takes someone to reach the youth and become the person that changes the situation. There is plenty of talent in that school. The adults have to find ways to reach those kids. I will tell you now it isn't in any Text book or coaches manual. You need a little gorilla warfare!

Odd situation. A couple of coaches have posted to the listserv saying that Shawnee had cancelled their season and then Shawnee's coach posts an email that they aren't. Seems very confusing, especially this close to the start of the season.

Odd situation. A couple of coaches have posted to the listserv saying that Shawnee had cancelled their season and then Shawnee's coach posts an email that they aren't. Seems very confusing, especially this close to the start of the season.

 

All around, to be sure.

Odd situation. A couple of coaches have posted to the listserv saying that Shawnee had cancelled their season and then Shawnee's coach posts an email that they aren't. Seems very confusing, especially this close to the start of the season.

 

From the CJ. Shawnee will play a 8 game schedule:

 

Shawnee football still plans to play.

 

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Jason Frakes

Shawnee athletic director Scott Ricks said — despite Internet rumors to the contrary — the school plans to play an eight-game schedule this season and has not forfeited any of its district contests.

“Things are good right now,” Ricks said. “We’re up to about 20 kids right now, and we hope to have six to 10 more with the incoming freshmen.”

 

Shawnee finished 2-8 last season after forfeiting its final two games, including a first-round Class 3-A playoff contest against North Oldham. After a 61-0 loss to Central on Oct. 22, the Golden Eagles were down to 12 players, including nine freshmen.

 

Ricks said Shawnee cut two opponents — Bardstown Bethlehem and Ludlow — from its regular-season schedule this season in order to be ready for district play.

Shawnee now is in Class 2-A, District Four with Bardstown, Christian Academy, DeSales, Fort Knox and Washington County.

 

http://blogs.courier-journal.com/khs/2011/07/28/shawnee-football-still-plans-to-play/

I mentioned Cincinnati Taft and their success story in football at an inner city school. Here is an article on the program and Coach Mike Martin that was in today's Cinti Enquirer.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110806/SPT0301/108070353/Martin-center-Senators?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|p

 

There could be some good information and modeling to be learned here. I am sure if anyone in the program at Shawnee wants to reach out to Mike Martin he would be more than happy to talk.