Superintendant of IPS Dr. Eugene White has announced that the football programs at three member schools - Manual, Washington and Marshall - will be dropped next year due to lack of participation.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009911110337
This decision has implications for several different groups on several different fronts.
1. The students going to these schools who want to participate in football will either have to transfer (which causes problems with IHSAA rules) or get transportation to the designated school where they would play (which causes logisitcal problems for impoverished families).
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009911140357
2. For some, football is an avenue that keeps the students involved out of trouble.
3. For the communities and alumni, the football experience is something that helps define the high school experience.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910250370
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009911130353
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009911150328
4. Planning has been underway to make adjustments to the IHSAA Football Tournament for the 2011 season. When Sectionals are realigned prior to that season, it has been believed that the number of schools playing football will exceed the number of available positions in the five class tournament, so a sixth class was being created and anticipated by many.
http://blogs.indystar.com/preps/archives/2009/11/footballs_class.html
With all of this being the case, do you think that Dr. White and IPS are making the right decision here? Do / should any of these concerns play into the decision, or at the end of the day should the leaders of IPS ultimately do what's right for IPS? Do the needs / wants / desires of the few (those currently working and studying in IPS schools) outweigh those of the many (the other groups mentioned in the above articles)? Should Dr. White reconsider this decision? (due 11/22)
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No, the IPS is makeing a big mistake by removeing football from these schools. Sence people already see the flaws in this approach, it suprises me that the IPS would do this. This is also bad for the other teams. Seeing that these teams were taken out, less games will occur, and less competition will make the seasons less fun for the players. The studants at these schools will also suffer due to the fact that they wont be able to play with thier friends in a competitive atmosphere and they probubly wont take part in school as much as the used to.
ReplyDeleteNo i don't think he should because the IPS is the slchools that have the most problem. They need to focus on what they can do to improve themselves as the IPS and not the other schools around the state.I do agree with the part that says football is an avenue to keep students out of trouble. This is true because it can give them something else to focus on besides the stuff that was involving them with trouble. That is the only thing that i believe would be a downfall of this decision.
ReplyDeleteI believe he is making the wrong decision here. Some students want to partake in activities such as football. Football is a big part of what happens at the school. Usually kids do sports to stay out of trouble, but when they have no sports, the trouble can start. At Manuel, the students don't even seem to care about school to begin with. If they take out football, it would most likely make them not get a great education like they need.
ReplyDeletewell i think that the IPS school boards should make their own choice. The football program is a good thing for the students and gives them something to do to keep them out of trouble. I obvious think that its a bad mistake and could hurt not only the school but the community. They should concentrate all their attention and energy to make IPS a better school and by taking the football program out would only be hurting the school rather than help it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Johnny because football obiviously wasn't that important to these kids because they only had maybe 16 or 17 kids on the team. And even some of those kids ended up quitting or couldn't play for various reasons. I think the football programs just give these schools something else to worry about rather than something to enjoy and be excited about.
ReplyDeleteI do not think they should get rid of the football program at these schools. Even if the amount of people willing to play is down. for some students football is the only way they are going to get into college. For others it keeps them out of trouble. Team activities are an extremely positive experience that will ruin many kids high school experience if they get rid of this program.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris. Without football, some kids might not be able to get into college.
ReplyDeleteSports are also great morale boosters for kids. without these things, kids get involved with other things such as alcohol, drugs, and violence. To hold controle of fragile minds such as thiers, we must first think of the studants.
I agree with John. As long as some kids take part in the football program, it should stay. The kids that do not play are not affected by the decision, but the ones who did play will most likely become part of gangs or might do drugs because of the lack of morale. This will simply make kids feal more stress and push them to do less.
ReplyDeleteNo I do not agree with taking away the football teams, football is a sure way for kids to gain confidence and discipline. By taking away football teams (especially in at risk schools) they are making situations worse.
ReplyDeleteI agree with jard, Having football prrograms is helping kids make a bad situation (their lives for the mostpart) better. While they have coaches who help them become better people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jonny, having sports is what makes school spirit. Football is the biggest sport before homecoming and for these schools to not have football anymore just adds to their bad situations
ReplyDeleteI believe this is a mistake to remove these football teams because sports in general make school spitirt and now you are cutting down on the school spitit by taking football away. This will inturn cause problems in trying to keep gradees up in the students because they have to make grades to be on these sports teams and now they dont have to worry about them anymore . I also believe that this is a good idea in the short term though i would save money for the school but i do belive that once the school start making money agian they should re introduce the football program.
ReplyDeleteI agree with jonny i think that the football program lowers the chance of it players and others that are students involed from getting into trouble. I alsos agree with Jonny that the football program is a big part of school activities during the fall season.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with joey football was important to the 16 to 17 kids on the team and others wished they could play but due to injury or grades they could not partake in the football program and now thay 16 to 17 kids can't play the game they once could.
ReplyDeleteI think its a bad mistake to drop the football program, yeah there weren't very many kids on the teams but what about the kids who were on the team? Shouldn't they get a say in what happens to their football team? I also think that football games are a big part of high school and especially for Manuel we read that they don't have yearbooks, and plays and now they won't have football. I think they should consider the kids playing before they make a final decision.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brennan, football games are a big part of school spirit. It does save money, but is it worth it to drop the whole football program? And how much money can it really save, does all that add up to that much? The kids' grades will also drop a lot because they won't have anything to achieve the grades for.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Calvin, they won't participate as much and I'm sure they're angry because they are taking away football, if they get involved in anything else who's to say they won't drop that too? It will also be upsetting to the teams that have less teams to compete against.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Margaret because even if there aren't very many students who play, there's still quite a few of people who do play. The students need something to enjoy after school and to keep them out of trouble. And football is a big part of high school, whether you play it or go and watch it. Either way you end up at the football game with all your friends.
ReplyDeleteI think that they are making a mistake by dropping the football program. Football and other extra-curricular activites offer a way for kids to stay out of trouble and focus on other things aside from school and school work. From reading the articles in class about Manual, there are a lot of students who get into trouble, and by removing the football problem could cause the kids to get into more trouble potentially. Also, this decision affects the other football teams in the state. So, this decision doesn't really help anyone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brennan. This choice could make kids not want to try with anything at school, and give up altogether. Which creates an even bigger problem. If they decided to keep the program, the kids may feel the need to do well in school so they will be able to participate in other activities such as football.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daniel. By taking away the program they are just creating more problems. The kids are going to become undiciplined and give up with everything. These IPS schools cannot afford to have more of their students fail and do poorly in school. So, they should keep the football program to act as a way to keep the kids focused and determined to succeed.
ReplyDeleteEveryone here is wrong. Haha im sorry but seriously these are juvenile deliquents were talkin about here. Nobody at these schools except for maybe the coaches and a handful of athletes care about these teams. Nobody can even go because a third of the school population is a parent and the rest are out on the streets breaking the law. I'm not saying every single kid partakes in these but lets just be honest a majority of them do. The school and community has so many more things to worry about, its best just to drop the football programs alltogether.
ReplyDeleteI do not like the idea that they ended the football programs. As a football player, I can relate to how someone feels when they go to football practice. Football is a way to hit somebody legally if you are having problems at your own household. Mr. Strykowski and I were talking and Manual only had about 16 players on the team by the end of the season. Yes, kids quite, but what team ever has every single kid quite. We had a number of kids quite because they couldn't do football. Also i was looking foward to the 6th class for football. Because Cathedral would most likely have gone up to 5A.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with Joey. You say that it is best if they drop the football programs. What about the kids that actually care. What are they suppose to do, just stop playing a sport they love. And if someone plays a contact sport, such as football, it is usually becuase some is going wrong in their lives. What are they supppose to do now. Pick up knitting!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Magaret. It was a bad idea to stop football. Football may not have been the main focus points in the school but it was for some kids. I love football and i do not know what it would be like without football. Since i have been playing football since i was in 1st grade.
ReplyDeleteDr. White made the wrong decision. Football can keep kids out of trouble. I think that the IPS high schools need these football programs to give the students something to work for and athletes also usually have better grades. The schools should have their own football programs so they don't have to travel all around the city just to play football.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Johnny because football and other activities can really keep students out of trouble. The decision will ultimately hurt IPS schools in the long run. The kids will get into more trouble and will not care about school.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brendan on one thing. Cathedral should definitely move up to the Super Class. Maybe the Super Class will allow schools to legally recruit people and those IPS kids who were actually good could go there and play football.
ReplyDeleteI think Dr.White made the wrong decision because for the kids who did participate in football now they have nothing. Football really does keep kids out of trouble. I believe any sport can keep a kid out of trouble especially if they are dedicated to it. He should really reconsider it. For some kids thats all they have and had.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Corey. Football can really keep kids out of trouble and always can help them to make better grades. The kids who did play football will probably start getting in trouble more and not caring.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Joey because he believes that it was a good idea to get rid of the football programs. I believe that the football programs are a great idea and a way for kids to be apart of their school and to be a apart of a team. The football team keeps them out of trouble and gives them something to look forward to. Plus, the football program is the only thing that the kids have in some cases.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brendan football is really a teenage guys life. I dont think IPS schools should take that away from the players who tried and want to play. It always lets kids take their anger out on other players and not on kids at school. It also helps kids to get their problems from home off their minds.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Dr. White is making the right decision in eliminating the programs. Many of the students at these schools are not in favorable situations. Football is one way that many students can stay out of trouble and try to improve their situation. Football can be a very valuable opportunity for the students to learn discipline, teamwork, and independence. Due to the fact that most football teams take as many players as there are available, it is obviously easier for students to get involved in football as opposed to a sport such as basketball that is competitive in making the team.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Corey saying that football can keep kids out of trouble. The more time they are on the field, the less time they are on the streets potentially getting into trouble. Many IPS students are in terrible situations and don't have a positive role model to imitate or learn from. A football coach could be the person that makes an impact on the kid's life to inspire them to make something of themselves. Many of those kids never have anyone to push and motivate them so they don't reach their full potential. Football is a great way to teach kids a good work ethic.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brendan and Corey that Cathedral should move up to the super class. The program has improved from an already impressive program. Cathedral has proven that they can compete with schools like Warren Central, Center Grove, and Carmel every year. They are almost too good to remain in a class without the best teams. If a sixth class is not created, schools like Cathedral will continue to dominate in a class that is not providing the best possible competition.
ReplyDeleteI believe that IPS, is making a regretable decision. I mean yes the football program may only be helping a few students, but that is a few students who played football instead of, i don't know..selling crack or drinking. Are a few peoples lives not worthy enough to be considered when making this decision? Do we really want that attitude at our schools? Is it not the job of the school to make sure all the students succeed and have equal opportunitly? IPS just took away that opportunity for the students of manual, marshal, and washington. I think the four things should go into deciding, but won't.
ReplyDeleteI agree with calvin, not only will this decision affect the kids at washington, manual, and marshal but all kids who participate in indiana's football programs. There will be less playning time, games, competition, wins vs. losses on the card and trophies. Taking out these teams puts a lot of stress on everybody. Plus, those kids cut from the ips schools will have to compete for spots on other teams, caushing more tension.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with joey. We should not get rid of the programs. These kids need this. So there is a lot of extra work to be put in. Are these kids not worth it? I think they are, and i believe that it is the job of the school to put on the program, or find somebody who can.
ReplyDeleteIPS is making a huge mistake by taking football out of the school system. this could cause students to turn to other things that are more harmful and self-destructive. the taking of football from those schools could cause more drug use, violence, or other things to come up in replace of football. i also agree with kylie's point that taking the program away from these kids is like saying they dont matter to the school.
ReplyDeleteI think that IPS is making a huge mistake. The dropping of football in school has to be one of the dumbest things i have ever heard. First of all football games are great ways to make teens unite and grow closer together. They are also looked forward to by students. I don't think that this will make them work any harder on school work either. If anything having the football game at the end of the work gives us a light at the end of the tunnel type thing. Without it students might turn to worse types of having fun such as partying.
ReplyDeleteI also disagree with Joey because students love sporting events. Its not even just about watching their teams play its also about having great times with their friends while watching. I have many great times with my friends while watching games. Also it helps me to focus on school so i can get to have fun later in the weekn. This example applies to most other students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kylie on the fact that these schools making this decision will affect students for the worst. They might turn to illegal things such as drinking and smoking because they dont have any incentive to look forward to on Friday nights. The students will definatly have a different attitude toward their teachings and school. They might even become much less cooperative. All teens require fun because without it we lose our minds and become very angry with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI belive it was a bad decision for ips schools to cancel there football program. If you look at roncalli for many kids thats what they look forward to every year. Roncalli in my eyes is brought together by football. We have the games with the cheer block and its just what we automatically take for granted. The football program i would think would also keep a lot of kids out of trouble and keep them focused and more focused on school and things like that. They lose the school support as well in some perspective.I believe it would cause a lot more violence throughout the students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Molly. When we were reading those articles about manual when you think about it, the school doesn't have anyone participating in extracurricular activites. And what comes from that really. It looked like teenage pregnancies and drugs and alchohol and cursing and just violence. Towards teachers and parents. So this whole decision to cancel the football programs i think is very stupid and not logical. Think of your students first and how much this effects them.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with joey. I disagree with him because look at roncalli we have a spirited filled school and we have our football teams and everything else and i think that is what keeps us together as a school. Just because a school isnt doing well now doesnt mean that it cant turn around and become a school like roncalli. If they cancel the football program then there going to have more problems then they will be able to handle. They need to keep the program going and try to get kids more active in the school programs and they will have less problems then they do now.
ReplyDelete