Great news from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). High School sports are doing just fine, thank you. Nothing makes me happier than to see that their findings for the 19th straight year show that participation in athletics has increased once again.
Their figures show that the 2007-08 school year set an all-time high of 7,429,381 participants. The boys and girls each reached all time highs. (3,057,266 girls and 4,372,115 boys ) The girls figure surpassed 2006-07 total by over 35,000, and the boys passed the former record of 4,367,442 set in 1977-78.
Mr. Robert F. Kanaby, the Executive Director of the NFHS said, “The fact that we experienced all-time records for both boys and girls reflects the fact that the high school sports participation experience is more viable than ever and is of great interest to our nation’s young people.
How exciting it is to see that almost 55% of students enrolled in high schools want to be part of such a worth while endeavor as athletics.
The survey showed competitive spirit squads gained the most female participants with an increase of 16,130, followed by girls soccer with an increase of 8,913 and girls cross country with 6,973.
On the boys side lacrosse gained the most participants with 11,336 followed by boys soccer with 5,562 and cross country with 5,042. Something interesting for the Edmond community is boys swimming and diving grew by 5,156. (I noticed Edmond Schools are looking to partner up with other community resources to build a swimming complex.)
According to the survey basketball remains the most popular sport for girls with 449,450 participants, followed by outdoor track and field (447,520), volleyball (397,968), fast pitch softball (371,293), soccer (346,545), cross country (190,349), tennis (172,455), swimming and diving (147,197) and golf (69,243).
In boys sports, 11 man football once again topped the list with 1,108,286 participants, followed by basketball (552,935), outdoor track and field (548,821), baseball (478,029), soccer (383,5610, wrestling (259,688), cross country 221,109), golf (159, 958), tennis (156,285), and swimming and diving (111,896).
If it were not for all the extra -curricular activities our schools provide students, I am sure many more kids would drop out. Teaching reading, writing and arithmetic is the major charge our schools must and should provide. However, band, drama, athletics and other such activities do teach many things that can’t be learned in a class room.
Also, many who find school itself a real drag stay enrolled because of the hold the other activities have on them. I speak from experience. My feeling is instead of calling them extra-curricular activities, lets call them co-curricular activities.
Thought for the week: “Teaching students to count is important. So is teaching them what counts.”
Sports Opinion
January 31, 2009
CORTESE: Participation in high school athletics at an all-time high
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My 2010 moment
First off, I’d like to thank the Edmond sporting community for accepting me into their fold, or at least accepting me as much as possible for a journalist. It has been a great five-and a half months and I’ve had the opportunity to witness some prime time moments while at The Sun.
- SPRUIL: Woods scandal not that shocking Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
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SPRUILL: Woods scandal not so shocking
Charles Barkley warned us about it in 1993. Professional athletes should not be role models.
Sir Charles gave us this gem back then stating, “A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail, should they be role models?”
Just can’t do it. I remember vividly the day I learned this valuable lesson, it was when I got my copy of Sports Illustrated with Sooner quarterback Charles Thompson being ushered to jail in his infamous orange jumpsuit. - HARRISON : It’s time for some hoops With Bedlam in the rearview mirror and talk of freezing temperatures and possible snow this week it can only mean one thing. The winter sports season is upon us.
- SPRUIL: 'Dogs have nothing to lose Bulldogs have a chance to break another streak, which is to attempt to end the east sides dominance — Jenks and Union have combined to win 13 straight Class 6A state titles.
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SPRUILL: UCO loaded for another run
No. 18-ranked Central Oklahoma appears to be loaded for another deep run in the NCAA Division II tournament.
It’s only November and the Bronchos have only played one game, but what they showed against Emporia State in a 116-114 double-overtime win was incredible. -
SPRUIL: Playoff picture still cloudy
With most of the district’s already decided — a few key matchups still remain — it’s time to start looking at the playoff picture.
We know Edmond Memorial, Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian are in the playoffs. Deer Creek is on life support, while Oklahoma Christian Academy and Edmond Santa Fe are done for the year following Friday night. -
SPRUILL: OU's Bradford still livin' the dream
There’s still no guarantee that Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will play this season. But Sooner fan or not, you have to love the Heisman Trophy winner’s attitude.
His first start could come this week against Baylor, or it could be against Texas. You will not hear any crying from Bradford, though, that is for certain.
The media has questioned his decision about coming back. He could have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, instead he gets injured in the opener and now his future is in question.
But what seems so shocking to some across the country, really isn’t that shocking at all. Bradford is living his dream. The dream of any former high school star in the state of Oklahoma that wants to play in either Stillwater or Norman. - HARRISON: Local teams draw favorable regional assignments With the end of the regular season fast approaching, local softball teams are turning their attention towards next week’s regional tournaments. While Edmond Santa Fe is the only squad that will be at home next week, all four teams have a legitimate shot at state.
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SPRUILL: Edmond recovering from split
Things are shaping up for another great football season for local teams.
As it stands, Edmond still has two undefeated teams in Edmond North and Oklahoma Christian School. And there are signs the big three have reached a near full recovery from the spit. - More Sports Opinion Headlines
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My 2010 moment
