*Updated as of 10/31/24
With the new school year upon us, an upward trend in enrollment continues to be seen, but adjustments to the numbers of fall sports teams remains the same. Since the completion of the new school building and the re-introduction of in-person learning, attendance numbers for athletics have increased at rapid numbers, producing an increase in cuts. Although this isn’t the first time administrators have seen such trends around fellow PPS schools, it’s new to the community.
This season, over 100 boys tried out for the soccer team, with only a total of 80 spots available. As larger numbers and cuts have transpired, athletic director Tyler Kelleher has found these new levels of competitiveness and intensity as a motivation for students to not only maximize their efforts at tryouts, but to also dedicate time to the off season. Freshmen aren’t the only ones being cut: sophomores, juniors and even seniors on several teams are told they no longer have a spot in the program, even with hours of commitment and off -season training. A part of this is due to the OSAA rule that if you’re a senior, then you have to play on varsity, senior Florence Knape explained.
Knape, a three-sport varsity athlete, currently on the girls soccer team, continues to express the potential frustrations and disappointment for seniors being cut. According to Knape, players who have attended practices since freshman year, with hours of dedication and commitment, are being cut during their final year. Because of the discouragement and adversities that can come with being cut, conversations amongst coaches and directors around adding additional fourth teams is being considered; the boys soccer team being a prime example. While Coach Uche and other fellow coaches discussed the possibility of a fourth team, issues arose. With matters such as space and equipment logistics, on top of finding another coach with little time before tryouts, the program agreed this wasn’t the season. Nonetheless, Coach Uche and others have agreed that cuts in athletics are the worst days for coaches, wanting students to be able to engage in the beloved sport of soccer. This conversation isn’t just happening in regards to soccer. Kyla Henry, head coach of the volleyball team, has had to cut around 14 to 15 girls these past three seasons. She expresses interest in creating a practice team: a team designated to encourage improvement and experimentation as well. It would be an introduction to volleyball that correlates fundamental skills and basics with fun and merrymaking. Unfortunately due to a lack of materials and funds, assembling another whole team is difficult with a full time job, Kyla explained.
With that being said, as winter sports season approaches, discussions surrounding how to adjoin practice teams need to materialize. Not all students have the ability to join organized teams, and that’s not a recent development. Regardless of logistical pieces and additional work of monitoring another team, developing a fourth team is possible and necessary to accurately represent the school’s values. Enlarging programs for several sports would ensure a balance of inclusivity, competitiveness, and diversity, permitting opportunity amongst youth to engage in the camaraderie of athletics.
The total cost for an additional team ranges from 12,000-15,000 dollars, which includes paying referees, coach stipends, and bus costs. Several schools amongst PPS have proven it’s doable, including high schools such as Cleveland, and Ida B. Wells. The amount it would cost for the school and athletic department would be 5,000-8,000, dollars which would include jerseys, equipment.
If jerseys don’t include logos and only had numbers the school could save money. With appropriate fundraising and preparation for upcoming seasons, we too can obtain fourth teams for sports like boys soccer and other programs that are in need.
