Some interesting information.

[DinwiddieProud]

There is a lot of information in this survey, (contained in the attachment below). I found the comments in the last 5 pages REALLY interesting!


http://www.vhsl.org/doc/upload/VHSL-member-survey-results.pdf

 

[falcettik]

I agree that some of the comments were quite interesting. Notably, the recruitment issue, that some feel there are too many classifications, and the old standby, tourney travel.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I was surprised when they published comments that specifically named schools. I figured they would have redacted names. Maybe this is a sign that the VHSL is going to be more transparent?

 

[mbonape1]

Interesting read. I would do away with the 6 divisions and make it 4. I think a lot of people would agree with that. However, we must understand that if we go back to only 3-4 state championships for football a lot of schools will completely be eliminated from ever having a good shot at winning one. I think we are close as we can be to truly being far with the current format.... but in general I am not a big fan of everyone getting a trophy. I think I would combine 1-2 & 3-4. I would still keep 5 - 6 separate only bc some of the northern va schools have 4000+ students. 4 Divisions and keep it at that.

I think if division 4 somehow got moved up to 5 a lot of our teams would be competitive but winning a state championship would be much harder and almost out of reach for most schools.

 

[falcettik]

mbonape1, you're a bit off on your numbers for the big NOVA schools. Yes, there are some big schools and as a group they certainly average more than any other part of the state. But none are that close to 4000+. Until TC Williams got up to around 3500 just recently (and that is a recent blip) none were ever larger than about 3200. The most recent numbers put the majority of the biggest schools in the 2200-2800 range. But I understand your point.

 

[mbonape1]

mbonape1, you're a bit off on your numbers for the big NOVA schools. Yes, there are some big schools and as a group they certainly average more than any other part of the state. But none are that close to 4000+. Until TC Williams got up to around 3500 just recently (and that is a recent blip) none were ever larger than about 3200. The most recent numbers put the majority of the biggest schools in the 2200-2800 range. But I understand your point.

I stand corrected, I looked online and I see Robinson and a few other that did have enrollments of 4000+ but it looks like those schools are 7-12 grade which I didn't know.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Interesting read. I would do away with the 6 divisions and make it 4. I think a lot of people would agree with that. However, we must understand that if we go back to only 3-4 state championships for football a lot of schools will completely be eliminated from ever having a good shot at winning one. I think we are close as we can be to truly being far with the current format.... but in general I am not a big fan of everyone getting a trophy. I think I would combine 1-2 & 3-4. I would still keep 5 - 6 separate only bc some of the northern va schools have 4000+ students. 4 Divisions and keep it at that.

I think if division 4 somehow got moved up to 5 a lot of our teams would be competitive but winning a state championship would be much harder and almost out of reach for most schools.

You make some good points. But, I think I would like to see the format stable for a decade or so. I believe six classes is a good compromise. It gives virtually all teams a CHANCE to be competitive, and potentially make a little noise come playoff time. I also like the fact that Regions can decide on the playoff format that best suits their needs. It is nice and tidy if all of the regions are made to use identical formats, but that is a little conceited. What works for the big schools in the congested areas of NOVA, and Tidewater, would certainly not be what is best for Southside or Southwest VA. And if this is a small sacrifice that has to be made to get the format situation settled down and stable for a few years, then I think it is worth it.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I common thread that appeared in the comments was the questions of open communication. And, the majority agreed, the VHSL does not do a good job of providing information to the populace that are not directly a part of the VHSL. I know the VHSL is basically a "cooperative". And as such, they leave it up the member schools to disiminate information. And that, is the problem. A few do, most don't, and a lot share bits and pieces that is often out of context.

I'm encouraged that they shared this survey on their web site. The VHSL could help their cause if they would find a more consistent method of explaining what they are doing and why.