Chapter 8 8 Interscholastic Athletics Warren A. Whisenant, University of Miami Eric W. Forsyth, Bemidji State University C H A P T E R

Interscholastic Athletics A combination of sport offerings whereby boys and girls can elect to participate in athletics at the high school level. Key segment within the sport industry – employment (15%); 15 Billion in economic impact; Media attention devoted to segment – least of pro and college Influence of administrators – 14.9 million high school student and 49.7% play sports

Arrival of Interscholastic Athletics First intercollegiate athletics competition – Boston Area schools in 1888 Growth and size of sector in the sport industry – At the turn of century, HS sports became the largest segment of competition. Today it remains the biggest in size and variety.

Table 8.1

Governance of Interscholastic Athletics Development and growth of individual state associations Arrival of the Midwest Federation – In 1921, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan schools. Interest grew….eventually the NFHS was created and added 22 more states. (continued)

Governance of Interscholastic Athletics (continued) National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) – this governing body provides leadership for the administration of education-based interscholastic sport and non-sport activities Past leading State Based Federation Examples: –Florida High School Athletic Association (748 schools) –Minnesota State High School League (500 schools) –University Interscholastic League (19,000 schools - Texas)

Table 8.2

What is the Value of Interscholastic Athletics Programs? Three central premises of HS sport by the NFHS 1.Athletics support the academic mission of schools - 2.Athletics are inherently educational 3.Athletics foster success in later life There are Conflicting (critical) views of HS sports to the student-athlete

Critical Views (agree or disagree?) Distracts students from academics Distort educational values within school culture Life-long injuries Deprive resources from education Create additional pressures on kids Athletes privileged over other students Athletic goals conflict with academic goals

Title IX - Videos news/ # th anniversary report – fDg “Let ‘em Play” video

Participation Numbers Impact of Title IX (1972) Banned sex discrimination – Signed by President Nixon At time passed 8% were girls 2009, 41% were girls (7.5 million total) States with the most participants (Texas, 781,000; CA, 771,465; NY, 380,870) Most popular sports for girls and boys

(Guys) Most Popular Sports (Girls) Football Track Basketball Baseball Soccer Wrestling Cross country Tennis Golf Swimming Track Basketball Volleyball Softball Soccer Cross country Tennis swimming Spirit squads Golf

Table 8.3

Careers in Interscholastic Athletics Positions within professional associations and governing bodies –Executive director – like the CEO, has a huge support staff –Chief financial officer (CFO) Works with other accountants and fund raisers –Director of media relations and marketing – has a staff of design and marketing professionals –Director of membership services – collects membership dues and maintains relationships with member state associations (continued)

Careers in Interscholastic Athletics Positions at the local school level –Athletics director – responsible for all programs –Associate or assistant AD – usually a coach that is given added responsibility –Athletics business manager – fund raiser and sponsorship coordinator –Coaches and assistant coaches –Athletic trainer – injuries and rehab, preventative measures, strength training. –Officials

10 Issues Facing Interscholastic Athletics 1.Hiring experienced and certified athletics administrators (business professionals) 2.Budgetary constraints (money available for education but not sports) 3.Coach turnover and exiting (50% of coaches not teachers…change jobs after a few years) (continued)

Issues Facing Interscholastic Athletics (continued) 4.Recruitment and retention of officials (90% of administrators report an officiating shortage) 5.Participation options (non-school options taking away potential players..ex: dance, AAU) 6.Fair play (college and even pro scouts are attending more and more games) 7.Transfers (poaching of good players)

8.Parents – keep control from coaches, want a voice in the program, entitlement to play, living vicariously through kids, harder to make a connection with them 9.Media – growing concern about media presence and influence 10.Burnout of players (too much pressure and commitment at early ages)

Three Review Questions 1.What are the major operational differences between public and private school athletics departments? 2.What are some of the underlining factors that caused interscholastic sports to become a part of the educational school system? (continued)

Three Review Questions (continued) 3.What are some of the perceived benefits that students receive by participating in interscholastic sport programs?