In the 2014 Girls Basketball State Tournament, Western Christian beat their opponents by an average of 14 points per game, the largest difference being in the championship game, which they won 79-55. This year, Unity beat their opponents by an average of 37 points per game, and their only two games that were decided by a factor of single digits were with two other private schools (Heelan and Western Christian). Unity also won the class 2A Girls Basketball State Championship game by 29 points. Private schools have been dominating the high school sports scene for a very long time, but they are not playing fair.
One of the greatest advantages that private schools have over public schools is the ability to “recruit”. Private schools are able to waive tuition for students, which makes it more enticing for students to attend private schools. Private schools can also take foreign students with no set time period and can also waive their tuition. Public schools, if they are even certified by CEVIS,
can only take a foreign student for one year, and then that student has to pay the district $5,883.
Another big advantage that private schools have is that because of their winning traditions they attract a high level of student-athletes who aren’t located in that school’s district. The more you win, the more you attract better players, it’s as simple as that. Many of these private school athletes are provided more opportunities to advance than those at public schools because of the money situation at private schools and with their families. If you can afford to pay for a private school, odds are pretty good that you can also afford to send your child to play on the best travel teams and get the best training possible. Many of those who have kids at public schools are just getting by and can’t afford the extras that those at private schools can afford. For those who are on scholarship at these private schools, odds are pretty good that someone at that school is helping pay for these same opportunities.
I am telling you all of these statistics to encourage you to make a change, and level the playing field. In the USA, 31 out of the 50 states have implemented a system to help solve this problem, whether it be using a multiplier system for enrollment, or having private schools play in their own class. The solution that I feel is best is requiring private schools to play up a class based off their success in past tournaments. Western Christian, for example, has been to the State Tournament four years in a row for class 2A. They could certainly handle the competition up a class, and need the challenge. Schools like Trinity Christian, who did not have a winning record this year, would not be required to play up a class. This would push the private programs who dominate their class, while at the same time not punish the private schools who are not as strong athletically.
It is every student athlete’s dream to play in the State Tournament, please consider leveling the playing field to make this more attainable for all schools, regardless of who they are playing for.
Updates
March 20, 2015
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have reached out to share their own experiences after seeing this. This has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined when I first started writing. None of this focus on fairness would be happening without the time you have all put into this.
Reached 100 supporters
March 20, 2015
62 Comments
One more thing about these kids. Check when these kids entered private education. These kids have gone to these schools since they were in Kindergarten. Did they get "recruited" as athletic Kindergarteners? This may be a problem with large wealthy " academies" in large urban areas, but not with the religious school in thus state.
Two words - open enrollment. The starting point guard for the LeMars boys team open enrolled from Remsen. Should they be moved up a class? The starting center for Sheldon's state championship team in 2013 open enrolled from Sibley. Should they have moved up a class?
I am not saying that Unity bought their championship-it was well deserved. I am not saying that they bought their players. However, like my letter says, there are other advantages that private schools have along with the ability to scholarship. I did not say that they shouldn't be able to play with the rest of the state, but that a multiplier, like 62% of states already do, should be used to even the playing field out. Most private schools would be able to compete with schools of bigger sizes, and still do well.
I agree totally that private schools have a distinct advantage over public schoools on how they are able to attract students for both scholastic and athletic superiority. I understand they need to play regionally for logistical scheduling but when it comes to the state tournament I think they should have seperate classifications.
I'm not even an athlete in these sports, but even I know that this needs to change. All of us should get a chance to go to state.
Then work for them!!
I am sorry life is not fair. Maybe the writer of this got to many participation truphy as a child. It's very simple why should schools that excel at sports be penalized because it is private. It's a sad day in America. Are we not free to excel in this country. Sad sad sad
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In the 2014 Girls Basketball State Tournament, Western Christian beat their opponents by an average of 14 points per game, the largest difference being in the championship game, which they won 79-55. This year, Unity beat their opponents by an average of 37 points per game, and their only two games that were decided by a factor of single digits were with two other private schools (Heelan and Western Christian). Unity also won the class 2A Girls Basketball State Championship game by 29 points. Private schools have been dominating the high school sports scene for a very long time, but they are not playing fair.
One of the greatest advantages that private schools have over public schools is the ability to “recruit”. Private schools are able to waive tuition for students, which makes it more enticing for students to attend private schools. Private schools can also take foreign students with no set time period and can also waive their tuition. Public schools, if they are even certified by CEVIS,
can only take a foreign student for one year, and then that student has to pay the district $5,883.
Another big advantage that private schools have is that because of their winning traditions they attract a high level of student-athletes who aren’t located in that school’s district. The more you win, the more you attract better players, it’s as simple as that. Many of these private school athletes are provided more opportunities to advance than those at public schools because of the money situation at private schools and with their families. If you can afford to pay for a private school, odds are pretty good that you can also afford to send your child to play on the best travel teams and get the best training possible. Many of those who have kids at public schools are just getting by and can’t afford the extras that those at private schools can afford. For those who are on scholarship at these private schools, odds are pretty good that someone at that school is helping pay for these same opportunities.
I am telling you all of these statistics to encourage you to make a change, and level the playing field. In the USA, 31 out of the 50 states have implemented a system to help solve this problem, whether it be using a multiplier system for enrollment, or having private schools play in their own class. The solution that I feel is best is requiring private schools to play up a class based off their success in past tournaments. Western Christian, for example, has been to the State Tournament four years in a row for class 2A. They could certainly handle the competition up a class, and need the challenge. Schools like Trinity Christian, who did not have a winning record this year, would not be required to play up a class. This would push the private programs who dominate their class, while at the same time not punish the private schools who are not as strong athletically.
It is every student athlete’s dream to play in the State Tournament, please consider leveling the playing field to make this more attainable for all schools, regardless of who they are playing for.
Updates
March 20, 2015
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have reached out to share their own experiences after seeing this. This has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined when I first started writing. None of this focus on fairness would be happening without the time you have all put into this.
Reached 100 supporters
March 20, 2015
62 Comments
I like some aspects of what Illinois does in that there is a success component over a number of years in the determination of moving private schools up a class, however to push private schools up a class "just because" doesn't seem right. I realize the territory they cover is unlimited, yet we see what is being done by public schools such as Spirit Lake whose own superintendent treats the school like a junior college it's not fair to only punish the private schools. My kids attend public school, but instances like this are why I can't justify a mandatory statute that private schools play up a class.
One more thing about these kids. Check when these kids entered private education. These kids have gone to these schools since they were in Kindergarten. Did they get "recruited" as athletic Kindergarteners? This may be a problem with large wealthy " academies" in large urban areas, but not with the religious school in thus state.
Two words - open enrollment. The starting point guard for the LeMars boys team open enrolled from Remsen. Should they be moved up a class? The starting center for Sheldon's state championship team in 2013 open enrolled from Sibley. Should they have moved up a class?
I am not saying that Unity bought their championship-it was well deserved. I am not saying that they bought their players. However, like my letter says, there are other advantages that private schools have along with the ability to scholarship. I did not say that they shouldn't be able to play with the rest of the state, but that a multiplier, like 62% of states already do, should be used to even the playing field out. Most private schools would be able to compete with schools of bigger sizes, and still do well.
I agree totally that private schools have a distinct advantage over public schoools on how they are able to attract students for both scholastic and athletic superiority. I understand they need to play regionally for logistical scheduling but when it comes to the state tournament I think they should have seperate classifications.
I'm not even an athlete in these sports, but even I know that this needs to change. All of us should get a chance to go to state.
Then work for them!!
I am sorry life is not fair. Maybe the writer of this got to many participation truphy as a child. It's very simple why should schools that excel at sports be penalized because it is private. It's a sad day in America. Are we not free to excel in this country. Sad sad sad
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I like some aspects of what Illinois does in that there is a success component over a number of years in the determination of moving private schools up a class, however to push private schools up a class "just because" doesn't seem right. I realize the territory they cover is unlimited, yet we see what is being done by public schools such as Spirit Lake whose own superintendent treats the school like a junior college it's not fair to only punish the private schools. My kids attend public school, but instances like this are why I can't justify a mandatory statute that private schools play up a class.