The Price of Athletics...

I'm going to reference Tony Doughtie's Blog from May 7, when he reported that the NCHSAA cut down the football season by a week in order to cut costs. This is supposed to save money on transportation. I'm not sure I get that as a cost savings measure, when most teams will probably give up their bye week and still play eleven games anyway.

Another thought that came across my mind on this measure is that we're talking about eliminating a football game to save money. Really? Football and Basketball seem to be the two sports that actually might make money.

The reason I bring this up is that the cost to high schools and school districts supporting athletic programs has to be increasing at a pretty alarming rate. Any way they can save would probably help. It probably won't be popular, either. Cutting out a week of football season or having girls and boys, jay-vees and varsity teams all playing on the same night at the same school saves money on travel expenses. Not popular, but cost saving.

I was talking with my dad about high school sports and how schools are trying to save money. He told me he could remember there being whispers of possible pay-to-play being put into place during my freshman year at Rocky Mount High. Gas prices back then were probably less than half of what they are now.

While scrolling through my e-mail, I find one from pops that sends me to www.detnews.com. An article on pay-to-play up in Michigan. The article sites several school districts and plans to increase their charges to participate in high school athletics.

Increase the charges? Yes, it seems most are already charging to play high school sports. According to the article, Birmingham School District is proposing raising their charges from $130 to $140. It does not say if that is per sport or for unlimited participation. Farmington Public School District proposes an increase from $100 for unlimited sports to $300.

If that seems like a lot of cash for one of your children to play high school sports, just imagine if you had two or three - at the same time. The article sited no discounts for a second or third child.

Then, of course, there is the Oakland County District. They will vote this month on tripling it's rates. If your child is in Middle School, it would cost $210 to play one sport. (I'm guessing it would cost the same for a second and third sport.) If you are unfortunate enough to have a child in high school, you'll need to come up with $450 for one sport.

As mind-boggling as some of those fees are, there are some fairly grim numbers cited that makes these fees a necessity. The Rochester District is facing a $14.6 million shortfall next year. Birmingham Schools is facing an $8 million shortfall, but says they are committed to sustaining the 53 varsity sports and over 100 teams.

53 varsity sports?

Let's hope the folks from Rocky Mount High don't have to start dolling out that kind of cash for their children to participate on an athletic team. I think most parents would probably rather see $1 increase in ticket prices first. Or have to watch the Freshman basketball game, then the JV Girls, then the JV Boys, then the Varsity Girls before finally getting to the Varsity Boys.

Yes, not the most popular decision, but I'm thinking it still beats paying $450 to participate in one sport.