Should public and private school be separated into their own football divisions? We already gave the public school arguement. (To see the public school arguement, click here) Some public schools believe that through recruiting and increased exposure, private schools are able to build athletic dynasties and attract great athletes to come to their school, leading to state championship quality teams. They are asking for a level playing field, separating the schools into public and private championships.
Is it really that bad of an idea?
Private schools may have a thing or two to say about that...
The private school arguement...
Recruiting...Do private schools recruit? If private schools are being honest, they should always admit to some kind of recruiting. They will say they have to. Private schools have to attract not only athletes, but non-athletes also. Since enrollment drives the budget, private schools may not stay open if it weren't for alumni contributions and endowments. It isn't just athletes that are attracted to private schools, it is all potential students that may find an extracurricular activity that that school is known for.
As far as recruiting just athletes...The private school may also argue that they don't have to recruit some athletes because of the stature of a certain sport. For example, if you are one of the best CYO wrestlers in the state as an eighth grader, what school would you go to and be the best wrestler you can be? It's a slam dunk that you will go to St. Edward because of the history of excellence, and being able to wrestle against the best competition. If you are one of the best female cross country runners in the state as an eighth grader, where would you go? Probably to Beaumont, for the same reasons mentioned above. So, it isn't always about going after the best of the best, because as private schools, they may not have to.
It's a natural progression...If you are a student, and have attended a private school your whole life through the eighth grade, it's a way of life that you are accustomed to. Doesn't it make sense that going to a private high school is just a natural progression in the students education? Haven't the parents of that student shown that it is their intention to give their child a private education?
Sometimes it's the public school district...Sometimes the school district where the student currently lives has a school system that may not be as attractive as a private school. Do most parents put an emphasis on a good high school education? Probably so. Would they be willing to pay tuition to assure that? In some cases, sure they would. It the same thing as families moving into a new city because of public school rankings. Since private schools have no district requirements, isn't going to a private school despite living as far as an hour away the same thing? Private schools will argue that it is.
Athletes are just a small part of the student body...All Division I schools must have an enrollment of 350 or more in each graduating class. I am quite sure that all 350 members of that graduating class are not athletes, so the perception that some private schools are sports factories doesn't hold water. There are also educational aspects to private schools that families find attractive. Some class sizes are smaller. Some schools put a large emphasis on volunteering and civic duty.
The bottom line for the private school arguement...Is that it comes down to a choice. A choice that comes down to a whole bunch of different factors, not just athletics. There is no need to separate the schools for athletics according to the private schools, because one, it would be too difficult for the OHSAA to organize, and two, there really isn't THAT much of a difference between the schools.
In part three, we will look to see what can be done, if anything, to level the playing field.
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