Hypothetical District Proposal

[Billini]

The elephant in the room that no one mentions is WHEN schools consolidate or COOP, and many are talking, and this will destroy the districts!~ Illinois has to do something with small schools. In order to feed Chicago the state will force schools to do something before the state tells towns where to send their kids!!! Its coming...

This.

Demographics change. Demographics will always change and it has nothing to do with athletics. Nothing is static. That's the biggest problem and it will never be solved as it can't be solved.

It also doesn't solve schools dropping football mid-season. Or entirely all together. Good luck to the Hoopeston's (et. al.) with this set up.

In addition to demographics, some districts were struggling financially. A wind farm comes in, now, they have no financial problems. But different districts now have money problems because a large local business closed. Everything ebbs and flows.

There will Always be change. Some people really really struggle with change. Change is inevitable regardless if you like it or not.

The only long term solution for football is a 8 game regular season schedule and everyone qualifies for the playoffs. Like many other sports. The number of teams in each class will vary annually, like other sports. Top teams would (or may) get a bye depending, like the other sports. Some don't like it because - ParTIciPatIoN tRopHY. Or back in my day....Al Bundy syndrome.

You could base football 100% (or 50%, north/south) on seeding or do regional seeding, like other sports.

Otherwise there will never ever ever ever ever, did I mention ever, be a good long term solution because.....wait for it.....Demographics and financial power changes. It will always happen, you can't stop it (or even contain it).

Over the many years the district I grew up in played teams from Oakwood to Niles North (size). Pittsfield to West Lafayette (geographic & also size). From independent to a handful of conferences. It's changed and I'm not surprised.

But keep chasing those tails.

 

[AlabamaTimberwolf]

This.

Demographics change. Demographics will always change and it has nothing to do with athletics. Nothing is static. That's the biggest problem and it will never be solved as it can't be solved.

It also doesn't solve schools dropping football mid-season. Or entirely all together. Good luck Hoopeston (et. al.) with this set up.

In addition, to demographics, some districts were struggling financially. A wind farm comes in, now, they have no financial problems. But different districts now have money problems because a large local business closed. Everything ebbs and flows.

There will Always be change. Some people really really struggle with change. Others just like to chase their tail. Change is inevitable regardless if you like it or not.

The only long term solution for football is a 8 game regular season schedule and everyone qualifies for the playoffs. Like many other sports. The number of teams in each class will vary annually, like other sports. Top teams would (or may) get a bye depending, like the other sports.

You could base football 100% (or 50%, north/south) on seeding or do regional seeding, like other sports.

Otherwise there will never ever ever ever ever, did I mention ever, be a good long term solution because.....wait for it.....Demographics and financial power changes. It will always happen, you can't stop it (or even contain it).

Over the many years the district I grew up in played teams from Oakwood to Niles North (size). Pittsfield to West Lafayette Harrison (geographic). From independent to a handful of conferences. It's changed and I'm not surprised.

But keep chasing those tails.

Nope! The problem lies outside of schools... Shrinking populations in rural areas... I could take you down the rabbit hole but Im not... I will say this... Under President Reagan farmers got totally screwed and the numbers in rural areas have shrunk greatly family farms were forced into bankruptcy and bought by corporations. How many coal mines have been forced to close due to high sulfur? Millions of auto factories have closed along with tens of thousand more... All the smaller business that supplied factories when belly up... No this is never coming back. So to say districts is the answer is far away from the truth. Schools need to consolidate. There are schools with 150 or less students that are getting nothing but the basic spoon fed core requirements. An example: Kincaid, Edinburg and Morrisonville are all under 90 students!!!! WTF are we keeping these one horse schools open for??? Autonomy? Pride? Yes, Illinois is a broke state but it will be forced to slash budgets very soon... It can't continue to work at deficit!!!

Change will happen... its inevitable! The district model that people come up with will have to be constantly adjusted. We will lose no matter what... Rivalries will disappear for many reasons no matter what happens with conferences or districts. Poor Illinoisans are over taxed as it is and that will never change as well... But to keep small town schools open the these tiny enrollments is crazy!~

Something will happen... I would suggest to these one horse towns to be proactive and consolidate before George Orwell's "Big Brother" forces then to go where they may not like!!!

 

[Billini]

Nope! The problem lies outside of schools... Shrinking populations in rural areas...

When I say demographics, I'm including population. Not technically accurate but I'm using it as such in the broadest sense possible.

And I'm familiar with the farm issue. My wife was a host family for the first farm-aid. They have a bunch of Willie Nelson memorabilia from that event. They also had a news segment on their family on MTV - Rock-n-Roll News hosted by Eleanor Mondale. My MIL was on the Phil Donahue show as well all regarding 1980's farm issues.

I also worked at a coal fired power plant. It's now closed even after switching to PRB (low sulfur) coal - which the switch caused the issue you talked about.