I'm sorry, did I say #11 ?

[capnbillhitters]

I meant to say # 6

That's right, Loyola is now ranked # 6 in the country by Massey's computer rankings.

That is just sick.

GW jumped to # 33
Lville enters top 100 at # 79

 

[Gannicus]

Easily one of the best IHSA teams in history. And the best CCLB team ever based on their blow out wins over the other BLUE teams, tough schedule, and being in highest class.

 

[Brin22]

It's impressive what they are doing to the "competition." Just imagine what some of the scores would look like if they didn't pull their players in the second half.

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

I meant to say # 6

That's right, Loyola is now ranked # 6 in the country by Massey's computer rankings.

That is just sick.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad to see the Ramblers doing well. I'm not having doubts or second guessing my sentimental DS stock game decision to buy and hold Loyola all the way to the end. However, I really can do without the hype right now. Makes me nervous.

 

[Dino brown]

Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad to see the Ramblers doing well. I'm not having doubts or second guessing my sentimental DS stock game decision to buy and hold Loyola all the way to the end. However, I really can do without the hype right now. Makes me nervous.

Lol!

 

[Dino brown]

Easily one of the best IHSA teams in history. And the best CCLB team ever based on their blow out wins over the other BLUE teams, tough schedule, and being in highest class.

They haven't won anything yet

 

[Corey90]

I meant to say # 6

That's right, Loyola is now ranked # 6 in the country by Massey's computer rankings.

That is just sick.

GW jumped to # 33
Lville enters top 100 at # 79

USA Today
Has
LA ranked #2 in Midwest
GW #11
Libertyville #24

None are in the Top 25 in the country.

 

[Bowie50]

USA Today
Has
LA ranked #2 in Midwest
GW #11
Libertyville #24

None are in the Top 25 in the country.

http://usatodayhss.com/rankings/computer/boys/football/us/2015

 

[MS4EVER]

Easily one of the best IHSA teams in history. And the best CCLB team ever based on their blow out wins over the other BLUE teams, tough schedule, and being in highest class.

Slow down! This might not even be the best LA team.

 

[capnbillhitters]

Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad to see the Ramblers doing well. I'm not having doubts or second guessing my sentimental DS stock game decision to buy and hold Loyola all the way to the end. However, I really can do without the hype right now. Makes me nervous.

I'm sorry, that bird has flown.

I would love to know how you feel about Massey's early line of LA -14

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

I'm sorry, that bird has flown.

I would love to know how you feel about Massey's early line of LA -14

Massey can suck it.

 

[Dino brown]

Massey can suck it.

Lmao!

 

[Flossisland20]

I think its great that LA and Gwest are mentioned in these rankings- particularly Glenbard because they are a "true" high school team- I mean district team where all the boys live within the school district. (I also like it because my son's team almost beat Gwest this year!!). As for LA, I really don't know about from how far away their athletes come to attend that school- but at least they aren't a pure "club" team like many of the other teams in the MaxPreps Top25-- Loyola seems to be a hybrid- some locals and some recruits. To have meaningful rankings, they need to categorize these teams by 1)public 2)parochial, and 3) club. Watch some highlights of some of the "club" teams like Bishop Gorman, IMG Academy, DeLasalle (Concord, CA), or St. Thomas Aquinas........ and you'll see the huge variation between those "clubs" and an LA, or Glenbard West. (btw, you can have those clubs; I like our "house league" teams!)

here's a video sample from MaxPreps: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/cvVWFw...l-football-2015-top-25-composite-rankings.htm

 

[mchsalumni]

I think its great that LA and Gwest are mentioned in these rankings- particularly Glenbard because they are a "true" high school team- I mean district team where all the boys live within the school district. (I also like it because my son's team almost beat Gwest this year!!). As for LA, I really don't know about from how far away their athletes come to attend that school- but at least they aren't a pure "club" team like many of the other teams in the MaxPreps Top25-- Loyola seems to be a hybrid- some locals and some recruits. To have meaningful rankings, they need to categorize these teams by 1)public 2)parochial, and 3) club. Watch some highlights of some of the "club" teams like Bishop Gorman, IMG Academy, DeLasalle (Concord, CA), or St. Thomas Aquinas........ and you'll see the huge variation between those "clubs" and an LA, or Glenbard West. (btw, you can have those clubs; I like our "house league" teams!)

here's a video sample from MaxPreps: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/cvVWFw...l-football-2015-top-25-composite-rankings.htm

Here we go with this garbage. Let the good times roll.

 

[capnbillhitters]

I think its great that LA and Gwest are mentioned in these rankings- particularly Glenbard because they are a "true" high school team- I mean district team where all the boys live within the school district. (I also like it because my son's team almost beat Gwest this year!!). As for LA, I really don't know about from how far away their athletes come to attend that school- but at least they aren't a pure "club" team like many of the other teams in the MaxPreps Top25-- Loyola seems to be a hybrid- some locals and some recruits. To have meaningful rankings, they need to categorize these teams by 1)public 2)parochial, and 3) club. Watch some highlights of some of the "club" teams like Bishop Gorman, IMG Academy, DeLasalle (Concord, CA), or St. Thomas Aquinas........ and you'll see the huge variation between those "clubs" and an LA, or Glenbard West. (btw, you can have those clubs; I like our "house league" teams!)

here's a video sample from MaxPreps: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/cvVWFw...l-football-2015-top-25-composite-rankings.htm

I tend to agree on the last point. When I see most High School Basketball rankings, I want to throw up. And seeing that "High School" team that BG assembled last year, all I could do was shake my head.

I like that you separated the LA and MC from the "club" teams because I don't see them recruiting outside of their area, but what do I know. You won't see me crying foul about having boundaries either. For the most part, it comes down to coaching. Cheers to LA. A # 6 ranking is sincerely impressive.

 

[capnbillhitters]

Here we go with this garbage. Let the good times roll.

Hey mchs, my post hit after your's and I just read. I do not condone treating LA /MC any different than GW. Not at all...never.

No whining here.

 

[ignazio]

"Some locals and some recruits"

Yeah, OLPH White are the locals and OLPH Blue are the recruits.

 

[SweetWalter34]

Wasn't next year supposed to be THE year for LA?

 

[Gannicus]

I think its great that LA and Gwest are mentioned in these rankings- particularly Glenbard because they are a "true" high school team- I mean district team where all the boys live within the school district. (I also like it because my son's team almost beat Gwest this year!!). As for LA, I really don't know about from how far away their athletes come to attend that school- but at least they aren't a pure "club" team like many of the other teams in the MaxPreps Top25-- Loyola seems to be a hybrid- some locals and some recruits. To have meaningful rankings, they need to categorize these teams by 1)public 2)parochial, and 3) club. Watch some highlights of some of the "club" teams like Bishop Gorman, IMG Academy, DeLasalle (Concord, CA), or St. Thomas Aquinas........ and you'll see the huge variation between those "clubs" and an LA, or Glenbard West. (btw, you can have those clubs; I like our "house league" teams!)

here's a video sample from MaxPreps: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/cvVWFw...l-football-2015-top-25-composite-rankings.htm

What a stupid post…SourWalter.

 

[JCHILLTOPPERS]

Lmao!

me too.

 

[WP606]

"Some locals and some recruits"

Yeah, OLPH White are the locals and OLPH Blue are the recruits.

----------------
tl;dr: I think the IHSA multipler seems to work and perceived recruiting at privates is just that, perceived; privates would have been out-ed and IHSA would've sanctioned them if it was true. IMHO, Coach Holecek wouldn't consider taking a college HC job
----------------

I'm a long time lurker but only recently a registered member. Full disclosure I've put all of my kids through LA. I'm one of the outlier zip codes mentioned earlier as I live in Chicago.

As mentioned earlier, I don't remember the board taking issue when Stevenson beat LA last year (except for the fact they met in the 2nd round), or when Bolingbrook or Naperville Central beat them in the State 8a Finals (Though I do remember a NC bus having a home made "God Loves Us for Free" sign on it...very classy). The IHSA multiplier is the equalizer that forces privates/Catholic schools to play up a level(s). Why does it seem okey dokey and perfectly normal when a private loses because the public was better but outrageous when the private is ranked #6 in some computer poll most of us don't even agree with anyways (I think the poll also had BR at 95, HF at 96 iirc so judge for yourself). I guess the bottom line is the multiplier seems to work. It's not perfect but unless you want to go to separate championships, it's seems the best system. Hypothetically, if we really want to be fair, why don't we have an equalizing factor for wealthy suburban schools with the money to have great equipment and coaching vs poorer schools that don't have the funds or boosters to support the same. Doesn't sound great but in a way that's what privates have to deal with.

With regards to recruiting, if you look at a varsity roster, I think you'll see many of the kids coming from north shore schools, most went to catholic schools and as Ignazio mentioned, many coming from OLPH. I don't think it's recruiting when many of the starters come from OLPH, easily LAs main feeder which is next door in Glenview, less than 3 miles away. It's reasonable to assume if they're coming from Catholic elementary/middle schools, their familys would send them to Catholic High School as a preference. If people think private/Catholic HS coaches are violating IHSA recruiting rules, I think the market forces would have out-ed them awhile ago. And as far as scholarships go, many (and I mean many) at LA get scholarship money which are all needs based (required to fill out a FAFSA-type form).

A little off topic but with regards to Coach Holecek considering a Illini HC job, I don't think so, I don't think he'd want the headaches that go with it and I think he's happy where he is

 

[JCHILLTOPPERS]

n

----------------
tl;dr: I think the IHSA multipler seems to work and perceived recruiting at privates is just that, perceived; privates would have been out-ed and IHSA would've sanctioned them if it was true. IMHO, Coach Holecek wouldn't consider taking a college HC job
----------------

I'm a long time lurker but only recently a registered member. Full disclosure I've put all of my kids through LA. I'm one of the outlier zip codes mentioned earlier as I live in Chicago.

As mentioned earlier, I don't remember the board taking issue when Stevenson beat LA last year (except for the fact they met in the 2nd round), or when Bolingbrook or Naperville Central beat them in the State 8a Finals (Though I do remember a NC bus having a home made "God Loves Us for Free" sign on it...very classy). The IHSA multiplier is the equalizer that forces privates/Catholic schools to play up a level(s). Why does it seem okey dokey and perfectly normal when a private loses because the public was better but outrageous when the private is ranked #6 in some computer poll most of us don't even agree with anyways (I think the poll also had BR at 95, HF at 96 iirc so judge for yourself). I guess the bottom line is the multiplier seems to work. It's not perfect but unless you want to go to separate championships, it's seems the best system. Hypothetically, if we really want to be fair, why don't we have an equalizing factor for wealthy suburban schools with the money to have great equipment and coaching vs poorer schools that don't have the funds or boosters to support the same. Doesn't sound great but in a way that's what privates have to deal with.

With regards to recruiting, if you look at a varsity roster, I think you'll see many of the kids coming from north shore schools, most went to catholic schools and as Ignazio mentioned, many coming from OLPH. I don't think it's recruiting when many of the starters come from OLPH, easily LAs main feeder which is next door in Glenview, less than 3 miles away. It's reasonable to assume if they're coming from Catholic elementary/middle schools, their familys would send them to Catholic High School as a preference. If people think private/Catholic HS coaches are violating IHSA recruiting rules, I think the market forces would have out-ed them awhile ago. And as far as scholarships go, many (and I mean many) at LA get scholarship money which are all needs based (required to fill out a FAFSA-type form).

A little off topic but with regards to Coach Holecek considering a Illini HC job, I don't think so, I don't think he'd want the headaches that go with it and I think he's happy where he is

well done. nothing like a well written post.

agreed, again, it's funny...a private teams wins, they are in the wrong class (by rule) if they lose, they must be in the right class. why? because they did not win...so as long as St. Pat's does not win, they are in the right class.

 

[capman22]

----------------
tl;dr: I think the IHSA multipler seems to work and perceived recruiting at privates is just that, perceived; privates would have been out-ed and IHSA would've sanctioned them if it was true. IMHO, Coach Holecek wouldn't consider taking a college HC job
----------------

I'm a long time lurker but only recently a registered member. Full disclosure I've put all of my kids through LA. I'm one of the outlier zip codes mentioned earlier as I live in Chicago.

As mentioned earlier, I don't remember the board taking issue when Stevenson beat LA last year (except for the fact they met in the 2nd round), or when Bolingbrook or Naperville Central beat them in the State 8a Finals (Though I do remember a NC bus having a home made "God Loves Us for Free" sign on it...very classy). The IHSA multiplier is the equalizer that forces privates/Catholic schools to play up a level(s). Why does it seem okey dokey and perfectly normal when a private loses because the public was better but outrageous when the private is ranked #6 in some computer poll most of us don't even agree with anyways (I think the poll also had BR at 95, HF at 96 iirc so judge for yourself). I guess the bottom line is the multiplier seems to work. It's not perfect but unless you want to go to separate championships, it's seems the best system. Hypothetically, if we really want to be fair, why don't we have an equalizing factor for wealthy suburban schools with the money to have great equipment and coaching vs poorer schools that don't have the funds or boosters to support the same. Doesn't sound great but in a way that's what privates have to deal with.

With regards to recruiting, if you look at a varsity roster, I think you'll see many of the kids coming from north shore schools, most went to catholic schools and as Ignazio mentioned, many coming from OLPH. I don't think it's recruiting when many of the starters come from OLPH, easily LAs main feeder which is next door in Glenview, less than 3 miles away. It's reasonable to assume if they're coming from Catholic elementary/middle schools, their familys would send them to Catholic High School as a preference. If people think private/Catholic HS coaches are violating IHSA recruiting rules, I think the market forces would have out-ed them awhile ago. And as far as scholarships go, many (and I mean many) at LA get scholarship money which are all needs based (required to fill out a FAFSA-type form).

A little off topic but with regards to Coach Holecek considering a Illini HC job, I don't think so, I don't think he'd want the headaches that go with it and I think he's happy where he is

Very interesting post especially on the recruiting and financial aid aspect.

I was speaking to a player from Texas a few weeks ago and in the private school leagues are separate from the public schools and the private schools are separated in to divisions if a school gives scholarship/aid to the athletes. An interesting concept that schools would need to reveal aid levels to athletes, could the multiplier be calculated off the percentage of athlete aid ???? I agree that the current system seems to be the most even to administer in a one champion system with teams separated by size.

The scholarship/aid portion of the question is always a tough one. Yes there are FAFSA-like forms to ensure aid is need based but there are the stories of the star athlete has a job of making sure the cafeteria is clean for half tuition, urban legend or not, the stories are out there. Maybe a look at the percentage of students with scholarship/aid/job v. athletes with scholarship/aid/job is a good metric. The current system is not perfect and fair to all IHSA members but equitable most.

Great Post !!!

 

[Hinterland]

Very interesting post especially on the recruiting and financial aid aspect.

I was speaking to a player from Texas a few weeks ago and in the private school leagues are separate from the public schools and the private schools are separated in to divisions if a school gives scholarship/aid to the athletes. An interesting concept that schools would need to reveal aid levels to athletes, could the multiplier be calculated off the percentage of athlete aid ???? I agree that the current system seems to be the most even to administer in a one champion system with teams separated by size.

The scholarship/aid portion of the question is always a tough one. Yes there are FAFSA-like forms to ensure aid is need based but there are the stories of the star athlete has a job of making sure the cafeteria is clean for half tuition, urban legend or not, the stories are out there. Maybe a look at the percentage of students with scholarship/aid/job v. athletes with scholarship/aid/job is a good metric. The current system is not perfect and fair to all IHSA members but equitable most.

Great Post !!!

When you have a multiplier (which I believe can be justified) PLUS a "punishment" factor for private schools (which is not justified unless applied to all), the current system is NOT the most equitable. By the way, great post WP606. You better watch out though, you are making way to much sense. The I(P)HSA may decide to investigate YOU!!

 

[Flossisland20]

WP606:

I agree with you on the comment about recruiting being perceived. When I see a high school football coach approach a fourteen year old boy who lives far away from the school of the coach, after an 8th grade football game, and the coach gives the boy his contact information and tells the boy that he would like for the boy to play for him: yes, I seem to perceive an act of recruitment. But something's seeming to be a certain way isn't sufficient for it's actually being that way. So WP606, is there really an act of recruitment going on when I see and hear a high school coach who has traveled 17 miles southwest of where his school is, to express his desire for an 8th grade boy to play at his school, to both the boy and his parents? If not, what word or concept would be appropriate to pick out this kind of situation? These questions stand in no relation to any takes on fairness of competition in hs football; nothing in relation to LA compared to GW or any other such comparison. I hope I'm not taken to be whining. That is not the case. I'm looking to better my understanding of IHSA football and, having perceived the situation I've described, want to know what people think such a situation should be called. Also, your point relating to the resources of wealthy suburban schools compared to others is really thought provoking. Thanks for that insight. To Gannicus: lol, SourWalter.

 

[capnbillhitters]

The public school divisor (thanks ig) seems to make sense as there is a barrier ($) to entry at the private that limits attendees into few categories:

1. Devout members of the tribe
2. Those seeking a high quality education they can't get at their public school
3. Quality athlete looking for the right stage

None of these are mutually exclusive but when you remove all barriers to entry, you do tend to get a large number of students that care so little about participatory activities that they water down the relative impact individuals on campus.

Agreed that you could segment wealthy from non, but this changes depending on the sport. HC will win every golf, tennis and badminton team title for years to come because that is what they value. At OPRF, it's wrestling. (And I'm sure all those wrestlers grew up in OPRF boundaries, right?). But, they get a new football coach that brings some passion and they start to turn the tide. .

The divisor has a place and looking at the remaining teams in the top 4 classes, it seems to work. This Success Factor thing seems to be piling on. Not sure who came up with it or how long it will stay, but it does appear to make an unhealthy statement about what is "fair."

 

[capman22]

When you have a multiplier (which I believe can be justified) PLUS a "punishment" factor for private schools (which is not justified unless applied to all), the current system is NOT the most equitable. By the way, great post WP606. You better watch out though, you are making way to much sense. The I(P)HSA may decide to investigate YOU!!

Let's not confuse even, equitable and fair, all are very different. Even would be the same system for all schools - public and privates recruit for student athletes with the same cost to all. Equitable is a systems with different rules that apply to classes (public and private) of school with rules in place to equalize for the inherent advantages in the system, you may not like the setup but you know what you are dealing with. Fair is the Utopia that everyone wants were they feel their team is on an even footing with all other competitors. Let's face it even and equitable are possible and fair will never happen.

Most of these rules are put in place for 5% of the cases where the is tomfoolery going on, most of the schools follow the rules. Additionally AD's typically do not vote for rule changes, I saw one issue where 25% voted on a issue. As most organizations like this the small school dominate the number of votes and if they don't want it, it won't pass.

Recruiting is the process of attracting students to a school, the issue comes about when a coach show up 17 miles away to talk to a player and his parent and offers scholarship/aid/stipend/job to the family to attend the school. I have heard a few player who moved back to public when their aid/stipend/job was not renewed for their senior year. Is it common? I don't know but it does happen. Until everyone can look behind the curtain and see the Almighty OZ($$$$$ to atheletes) the perception will remain.

I just have put forth some ideas after observing for years, fixing it is above my pay grade and I don't want the headaches. If my ideas get me investigated by the IHSA so be it. I hope they have small hands and a gentle touch....

 

[SweetWalter34]

What a stupid post…SourWalter.

Gannicus, why so hostile?
I simply asked a benign, on-topic question and you chose to attack.
You can be better than that. We can be better than that.

 

[BretEpic]

I think its great that LA and Gwest are mentioned in these rankings- particularly Glenbard because they are a "true" high school team- I mean district team where all the boys live within the school district. (I also like it because my son's team almost beat Gwest this year!!). As for LA, I really don't know about from how far away their athletes come to attend that school- but at least they aren't a pure "club" team like many of the other teams in the MaxPreps Top25-- Loyola seems to be a hybrid- some locals and some recruits. To have meaningful rankings, they need to categorize these teams by 1)public 2)parochial, and 3) club. Watch some highlights of some of the "club" teams like Bishop Gorman, IMG Academy, DeLasalle (Concord, CA), or St. Thomas Aquinas........ and you'll see the huge variation between those "clubs" and an LA, or Glenbard West. (btw, you can have those clubs; I like our "house league" teams!)

here's a video sample from MaxPreps: http://www.maxpreps.com/news/cvVWFw...l-football-2015-top-25-composite-rankings.htm

IMG is the only school you mention that is not a traditional high school. The rest are all private schools, private schools that get everyone in their area.

 

[capnbillhitters]

BG pulled kids from all over to create an all-star team last year. It just happens to be very easy to establish residency in Las Vegas and send your kid there.

Not sure about the others, but let's be honest, if I have a kid that has a special talent, I would be sure to move into an area where my kid would be best positioned to succeed on a big stage. If I were a wrestling dad, i would suck it up and deal with a 1 bathroom house in OP. If my kid were a golfer, I would move into HC territory.

Everyone wants the best thing for their kids. The families i really feel for are the ones that invest so much time/money by moving their kids into a target school for their sport, only to have them fall short of the all-star status they imagined. How many wrestlers at OP never see the mat after a new hot shot arrives to take his spot?

 

[BretEpic]

BG pulled kids from all over to create an all-star team last year. It just happens to be very easy to establish residency in Las Vegas and send your kid there.

Not sure about the others, but let's be honest, if I have a kid that has a special talent, I would be sure to move into an area where my kid would be best positioned to succeed on a big stage. If I were a wrestling dad, i would suck it up and deal with a 1 bathroom house in OP. If my kid were a golfer, I would move into HC territory.

Everyone wants the best thing for their kids. The families i really feel for are the ones that invest so much time/money by moving their kids into a target school for their sport, only to have them fall short of the all-star status they imagined. How many wrestlers at OP never see the mat after a new hot shot arrives to take his spot?

I'm well aware of the talent on Gorman's team, but they are still a traditional private school.

 

[pjjp]

Not sure about the others, but let's be honest, if I have a kid that has a special talent, I would be sure to move into an area where my kid would be best positioned to succeed on a big stage. If I were a wrestling dad, i would suck it up and deal with a 1 bathroom house in OP. If my kid were a golfer, I would move into HC territory.

I agree with your above post up to a point. Some sports depend little on high school performance or affiliation, in order to secure a scholarship. Golf is one of those sports. The HS golf season is so short in this climate that the season has little bearing on the evaluation of kid. It comes down to what he/she does in the myriad of golf tournaments in the Spring and Summer. Most of the top kids have individual instruction from private golf coaches that far exceeds anything the HS coach does for them, so quality HS coaching is less important as well.

Girls volleyball is basically played year round. Club team affiliation and performance is more important than what a given girl does for her high school team. Baseball is similar. JCA has a pitcher, who will be a senior this year, that secured a scholarship to Vanderbilt, one of the top baseball programs in the country, before he ever threw a varsity pitch (and he pitched on varsity as a sophmore). Of course, he may never see Vandy, if he is a high draft pick.

Football is still highly dependent, as far as I know, on a kid's HS performance. Therefore, where one chooses to attend has more of an impact on whether or not someone makes it to the next level.

 

[Corey90]

WP606:

I agree with you on the comment about recruiting being perceived. When I see a high school football coach approach a fourteen year old boy who lives far away from the school of the coach, after an 8th grade football game, and the coach gives the boy his contact information and tells the boy that he would like for the boy to play for him: yes, I seem to perceive an act of recruitment. But something's seeming to be a certain way isn't sufficient for it's actually being that way. So WP606, is there really an act of recruitment going on when I see and hear a high school coach who has traveled 17 miles southwest of where his school is, to express his desire for an 8th grade boy to play at his school, to both the boy and his parents? If not, what word or concept would be appropriate to pick out this kind of situation? These questions stand in no relation to any takes on fairness of competition in hs football; nothing in relation to LA compared to GW or any other such comparison. I hope I'm not taken to be whining. That is not the case. I'm looking to better my understanding of IHSA football and, having perceived the situation I've described, want to know what people think such a situation should be called. Also, your point relating to the resources of wealthy suburban schools compared to others is really thought provoking. Thanks for that insight. To Gannicus: lol, SourWalter.

I didn't see a response to your question? I the perceived question was a good one. I had my son approached when he was in 8th grader by 2 different coaches after a game. I am interested to hear what everyone thinks. Do they think its recruiting or something else.

 

[JCHILLTOPPERS]

I didn't see a response to your question? I the perceived question was a good one. I had my son approached when he was in 8th grader by 2 different coaches after a game. I am interested to hear what everyone thinks. Do they think its recruiting or something else.

My sister was a four year all-american softball player invited to play in the olympics. I was a very talented jr high football and baseball player. I was approached in school and out of school by two private schools and one public school. they all said essentially, come to our school. I considered neither a recruitment pitch. I also think every school should do that to good players, private or public, why not?

IMO, and where this all gets twisted, is the liberal usage of the word recruitment. The way I was approached was not a recruitment. Nothing special was offered to me. IMO, the word recruitment becomes dirty when things are promised to a player to entice him to come to a school and those would not be offered to him/her if he was not an athlete.

both public and private schools approach kids, if you do not believe it, you are naive. private schools have the advantage of a larger radius to pull kids in. public schools have the advantage of no tuition. c'est la vie.In some areas one helps more, in other area the other does. the idea that only one party "recruits" is laughable - at best.

 

[USD24]

BG pulled kids from all over to create an all-star team last year. It just happens to be very easy to establish residency in Las Vegas and send your kid there.

Not sure about the others, but let's be honest, if I have a kid that has a special talent, I would be sure to move into an area where my kid would be best positioned to succeed on a big stage. If I were a wrestling dad, i would suck it up and deal with a 1 bathroom house in OP. If my kid were a golfer, I would move into HC territory.

Everyone wants the best thing for their kids. The families i really feel for are the ones that invest so much time/money by moving their kids into a target school for their sport, only to have them fall short of the all-star status they imagined. How many wrestlers at OP never see the mat after a new hot shot arrives to take his spot?

That is precisely why athletics should not be the reason for choosing a high school. How about sending your kids to a school that is the best all around fit for them. I have seen way too many parents over the last twenty years send their kids to schools for all the wrong reasons. Based on what I have observed, many parents make terrible decisions for their kids because they think their kids are special players.

 

[capnbillhitters]

I agree with your above post up to a point. Some sports depend little on high school performance or affiliation, in order to secure a scholarship. Golf is one of those sports. The HS golf season is so short in this climate that the season has little bearing on the evaluation of kid. It comes down to what he/she does in the myriad of golf tournaments in the Spring and Summer. Most of the top kids have individual instruction from private golf coaches that far exceeds anything the HS coach does for them, so quality HS coaching is less important as well.

Girls volleyball is basically played year round. Club team affiliation and performance is more important than what a given girl does for her high school team. Baseball is similar. JCA has a pitcher, who will be a senior this year, that secured a scholarship to Vanderbilt, one of the top baseball programs in the country, before he ever threw a varsity pitch (and he pitched on varsity as a sophmore). Of course, he may never see Vandy, if he is a high draft pick.

Football is still highly dependent, as far as I know, on a kid's HS performance. Therefore, where one chooses to attend has more of an impact on whether or not someone makes it to the next level.

I totally agree that it is sport dependent. I have a lax player that likely would never be on the radar were it not for his club play.

I also agree every coach recruits. A new coach comes to a school where an unsuccessful coach was ousted and they need to establish credibility with the student athletes in an effort to secure participation. He walks the halls and recruits kids to come out. As time goes on, the circle grows a little wider. Kids within school districts can sometimes choose specific schools due to unique programs. Combine that with an aggressive coach and you have a backfield full of architects.

A coach reaching out to an 8th grader to encourage the kid to consider his program is natural. If that reach out becomes improper through enticements, a sh*tstorm would occur. Lacking any proof of impropriety, anyone that complains about recruiting is displaying a sad victim mentality.

 

[WP606]

WP606:

I agree with you on the comment about recruiting being perceived. When I see a high school football coach approach a fourteen year old boy who lives far away from the school of the coach, after an 8th grade football game, and the coach gives the boy his contact information and tells the boy that he would like for the boy to play for him: yes, I seem to perceive an act of recruitment. But something's seeming to be a certain way isn't sufficient for it's actually being that way. So WP606, is there really an act of recruitment going on when I see and hear a high school coach who has traveled 17 miles southwest of where his school is, to express his desire for an 8th grade boy to play at his school, to both the boy and his parents? If not, what word or concept would be appropriate to pick out this kind of situation? These questions stand in no relation to any takes on fairness of competition in hs football; nothing in relation to LA compared to GW or any other such comparison. I hope I'm not taken to be whining. That is not the case. I'm looking to better my understanding of IHSA football and, having perceived the situation I've described, want to know what people think such a situation should be called. Also, your point relating to the resources of wealthy suburban schools compared to others is really thought provoking. Thanks for that insight. To Gannicus: lol, SourWalter.

Floss,
I agree with others that visiting & watching a prospect and handing their business card and pitching why they should attend their school (whether public or private/religious) doesn't constitute recruiting. It's just that, talk: presenting their school as an option to the potential student athlete and how they can help them grow academically and athletically. If it goes beyond that ($ incentives, booster support incentives, etc...basically the crazy stuff you hear about in college athletics) that is totally wrong at this level. I've asked my son who has played LA varsity football if he's heard of this going on and he responded absolutely not; which kinda makes sense because if they did get caught/sanctioned, this would be a huge stain on the reputation of the school and I don't think any sport state title, in their eyes, is worth that. (Different at the college level, where it
seems the big SEC/Big 10/Pac-12/Big 12 type schools can basically survive any recruiting scandal)

One other thing I didn't mention in my original post is that LA, while fielding good/excellent teams under Coach Holecek, intrinsically doesn't have a huge number of D-1 scholarship recruits (IIRC Chance Carter (2010) who attended NW was the last one before this year's class fielded 2-3 D-1s). It's a testament to the coaching they have at LA which is why you see 70-100 kids on the sidelines, at each class level wanting to play football; where other schools have seen their numbers dwindle because of the obvious safety issues. Many of those kids may not even take the field on gameday but the camaraderie they have year after year is something they take with them long after they leave high school.

 

[Bwm57]

If I were a wrestling dad, i would suck it up and deal with a 1 bathroom house in OP. How many wrestlers at OP never see the mat after a new hot shot arrives to take his spot?

I believe that I have heard it's actually a "Wrestling Apartment Building" in OP.
And yes, OP has ranked guys sitting on the bench who never regularly crack the starting lineup.

 

[bigkell]

They sure hate the privates here, but they sure look forward to see their favorite facing a private force like LA. Plenty of crowing if they win....plenty of anti-private recruiting rhetoric if they lose. SOS year after year!!

 

[capnbillhitters]

Smh