ProPlayer

Ballard for one. Don't know about the others. We were coming from a private school to Ballard as 9th grader. There was a misunderstanding I suppose about our address being in Ballards home school district and we were asked to submit transcripts, an application and a 2 page essay.... I can't remember the subject that the essay was to be on but there was something specific. I don't know if the other county schools make you jump thru the same hoops or not but this was our experience

The recruiting word keeps being brought up. I think the difference here is that when you say a public school recruited a child it really isn't anything more than an invitation. What can be offered ? No tuition or financial help for school. When privates recruit there is very often academic scholarships and or discounts involved. We can and should call these academic scholarships because that is what they should be but just as in Div 3 college football where no athletic money is available we all know that if a child is recruited for a sport the "academic" money they receive is tied to the fact that they will play a certain sport. Just experienced this last year with my son at a Div 3 school. Although it was many years ago. I watched a similar experience take place in the living room of my home when a private school rep knocked on the door of our home came in and talked to my father about my(public school) brother attending that school to play football. He was far from being a great student but was a GREAT athlete. My father of course jumped at the chance to be able to send him to a private school. Did he know this was a violation....not sure.... don't even know if it was on the rule books in the 70's . I do know when ever he was questioned about it from our public school community he always replied "It's none of your business". I suppose that is where some of the recruiting finger pointing comes in. Should public officials be able to talk to public kids...yes...should private schools be able to talk to private kids ..sure .. but should you be able to offer ANY kind of financial assistance of ANY kind this is where it gets touchy. I also think the bounderies thing is a problem. When you have most of the schools limited to their county and even though it is open enrollment the reality is that it is also a very limited area for most; because if it is your "home" district you are guarenteed admitance. If not, there is a whole application, essay writing, and selection process. So the spots for the school you may actually want to attend may not exist. Privates are not limited to area, county or even state limitations; so you have another problem that could and should be resolved. I really don't think that most or even any of the publics really want a split. They just wanted a wake up call for the KHSAA that there are MAJOR problems and that they need to be addressed. I would think that ALL involved want it fair for ALL--not heavily slanted in either direction. Some keep saying that life is not fair but in sports there are many rules and regulations to see that fair is exactly what it is. That is why Louisville, a Div 1 team, does not play Centre for a national championship. Different rules apply for the 2 divisions. That is all the publics want ... if they are playing for the same championship then they should have to abide by the same rules, reguations and guidelines. Are the privates cheating...of course not, they are just taking advantage of everything they are currently entitled to under the current system. Change the guidelines or change the divisions. Period.

I think from what I understand from hearing coaches talk. All the publics want is a level field. Same rules for all. It is easy for the privates to say leave it alone when it is set up in their favor and they benefit. When concessions are asked for to make all things equal publics are cry babies? I think it sounds the other way now. No one wins here. Stricter bounderies, monitoring of tuition or other incentives that public OR private could give. NUMBERS. This does not end championships it just adds another with more parity. THis actually could turn out to be better financially for the KHSAA and ALL schools involved. You would have a few more games to play with additional gate . I hope the KHSAA finds a way to make this fair and equitable for ALL. Private and Public.

Brandon Hunt and Travis Boyd from Ballard will be playying at Wofford this year