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FHSAA eyes game cuts
Prep athletics governing board to vote April 26 on proposal
But if the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) has its way next month, the Dolphins might have to eliminate similar games in coming seasons. The FHSAA Board of Directors will vote April 26 on a proposal that would cut the schedules of all state major high school sports except football by 20 percent for the 2009- 2010 school year. Baseball, basketball, soccer and softball would have their maximum number of games cut from 25 to 20 as a means to cut expenses during a recessionary economy. "I don't understand the logic in that. It doesn't save any money," Gulf Breeze baseball coach Randy Renfroe argues. Games like Saturday's against Starkville - an interstate, Spring Break bonus game - give Renfroe and coaches like him a chance to use players who normally wouldn't play in a district contest.
Renfroe thinks a better alternative would be to designate a number of dates, perhaps 15, where schools could play doubleheaders to get more games. "We're built more for doubleheaders," Renfroe said. "We've never really had one big (pitching) ace, but we have two or three good ones who can pitch." Florida schools are facing massive budget cuts as a result of dwindling revenues. The FHSAA said school superintendents and members schools requested the governing organization to look at cutting back games. "The economy is a huge part of why this is happening," said Cristina Alvarez, Director of Media Relations and Marketing for the FHSAA. "We have been trying to find ways to help our member schools and alleviate the financial problems they are encountering. Superintendents and member schools asked us to bring this before the Board of Directors. "Many counties are starting to get rid of junior varsity and freshmen-level teams. With those disappearing, other schools within the districts won't have teams to play. This way, the districts can keep the junior varsity and freshmen teams - hopefully - and everything will be on a level playing field." GBHS athletic director Mark Kostic said schedule cuts would hurt later, rather than sooner. "It'll hurt eventually in the long run, but everybody is trying to cut back and save money," Kostic said. "It's proposed right now, but if they recommend something, it usually happens." The cuts could greatly impact the Dolphins' soccer program, where traveling to play stiffer opposition has been vital to maintaining a winning tradition. "We probably won't make the trip to Jacksonville, and it could possibly knock out the Tampa tournament," boys soccer coach Bruce Savage said. "I'm just hoping they say 20 games, plus one tournament. If you count the Tampa tournament, you've got to count that as five games. That leaves only 15 games, and that would be tough to fit in who you normally play." If the Tampa tournament counts as five games, and the Dolphins play their usual eight district games, that would leave the Dolphins with only seven other games. "Obviously it comes down to dollars and cents, but who ultimately is losing out?" girls basketball coach Jarrod Denmon said. "It's the kids. "The kids are the ones who are going to suffer. It's just a shame that things a lot of kids look forward to - like athletics - seem to be getting cut back and cut back and cut back. I know there are a lot of kids who probably wouldn't do as well as they should in school if it wasn't for athletics. (Athletic competition) is something to look forward to." Kostic said some schools in south Florida have implemented a 50-mile travel limit for away games. Fewer games might not be the only cuts GBHS athletics see next season. Coaching supplements could be victimized as well. "The bottom line is when the state legislature finishes its budget meeting and they pass it down to the counties and say here's how much you owe us and the county says the state is cutting us 15 percent, then there's going to be a 15 percent cut in coaches' supplements," Kostic said. "The percentage is going to be the same - overall, not just one team." Those cuts wouldn't affect football coach Chris Nemith and Renfroe, whose programs have operated with one fewer paid coach during most seasons. "It's discouraging," Nemith said. But, he added, "Our administration's got a tough job right now. Everyone out there is struggling like the rest of us." The supplement cut would require school and community to come together. "We had to use volunteer coaches last year, which created a backlash from some of our parents and supporters," Nemith said. "We all need to be on the same page." Since football costs the most to maintain, parents might need to shoulder more of the load. "A lot of the top-line equipment the kids want, I can't buy," Nemith said. "I can maintain it but not buy it." At the team's mandatory parent meeting on March 16, football parents will get the chance to buy shoulder pads and helmets. The supplement cuts, which would be made at the county level, would significantly affect the smaller sports like cross country, golf, weightlifting, tennis and swimming. Sally Nowling already coaches both tennis teams, while Rachel Purdy coaches both swim teams. Golf team schedules would get cut from 14 to 13. "There's no way you can do 11 matches, 22 altogether, and have one (coach). I mean, when are you going to practice?" Kostic said. While the schedule cuts would not affect varsity football, junior varsity and freshman schedules would get cut by 40 percent. GBHS' younger teams already don't play the allotted 10 games, so they stand to lose about two games. The issue is sure to garner plenty of attention in the weeks leading up to the April 26 FHSAA Board of Directors vote. "There are budget cuts everywhere. Everyone has to make them. But I'm not entirely sure if everyone understands the amazing value of sports programs," incoming GBHS soccer booster club president Jared Willets said. "Academics are key, certainly, but sports programs, when done well, as they are here at Gulf Breeze High School, it does so much for these young men and women in developing their character, their spirit - things in real life," he said. "When done correctly, it builds character to get them ready for college and beyond."
What do you think? Gulf Breeze News wants to know. Email letters to the editor (limit 200 words) to: news@gulfbreezenews. com. Include your name and phone number for verification purposes. PROPOSED NUMBER OF GAMES FOR 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR
*-these sports have preseason classics; preseason classics do not count against the maximum allotment of games. Source: Florida High School Athletics Association |
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