Most of the cries came from folks who lamented over not having a state contending basketball program.
So, in this season of State playoff basketball, why not ask the question again -- What’s more important, sports or academics?
Hardly anyone will put sports ahead of academics, yet, many sport fans will claim that they are at least equally important. But are they?
A comment was posted on this blog that suggested that Chester students will only attend places like museums if the school takes them because parents don’t do it. In a community like Chester, there are a lot of families that don’t have the means or interest, and may not recognize the importance of such exposure.
Wouldn’t it be great if the schools went on more field trips?
If Chester just got rid of it’s boy’s basketball program (which I assume is the costliest sport to operate) how many field trips could students take with the money that is saved? How many students can attend field trips with the money it takes to keep 40 basketball players on the court? How many students will be encourage to go to college compared to the handful that go from the basketball teams?
I don’t know what it cost to run a basketball program, but here in Chester it’s evident that those cost are not recovered at the ticket counter, as so few people attend home games.
Some of the cost items associated with basketball are coaches and trainers salary, gym utilities and custodial fees, referees, and uniforms. There are bus rides to the away games, and there are long chartered bus rides, hotel, and meals for those tournaments played throughout the year and at playoff time.
The boys may have 40 players on the varsity, junior varsity, and freshman team and they probably make close to 60 bus trips throughout the season combined.
How many students could you bus on 60 field trips?
Sports does keep some kids in school and a few earn college scholarships. But, the basketball team only has 5 seniors. The school has nearly 200 seniors.
To date, I haven’t heard any of Chester basketball seniors committing to college, yet. I’m sick of hearing about the two star Penn Wood seniors who seemed to have committed to West Virginia and Penn State last year sometime. Our players are just as good, if not better.
Chester’s basketball players are heavily recruited and are going to high schools all over the region. If Chester High didn’t have a team, the players would play at another school. We are doing them no favor by having a basketball program at Chester High School other than giving them a place to play close to home.
Most boys just like playing basketball. Why not have an organized in-school intramural basketball league where over a hundred students can play basketball after school against each other. If done right, the college scouts will still come.
What does a State Championship contribute to a school other than bragging rights? Can we swallow our C-Pride for a moment and consider how we can use the money we put in sports toward helping our 200 seniors get to college?
This C-Pride thing is a misnomer anyway. Most communities would love to support a winning program. Chester folks operate with the notion that they’ll only go see the team during playoff time. So, instead of spending your money at Chester High to see the team, you travel to the Villanova Pavilion, the University of Pennsylvania Palestra, and the Penn State Bryce Jordan Center and give them your money.
In my opinion, Chester residents don’t deserve a high school basketball team, and the general population of high school students deserve more.
You are one to talk. Have you checked your basketball website lately? Who are you to preach? You are much a part of the hype as everyone else. I don't know how it was when you played Basketball but here students are required to have a C and above to play. For your information, there are A students on the team. Coaches are required to keep check on behavior and academics.
ReplyDeleteChester has a bad reputation and you want to take away one of things that people all over, not just Chester, get excited about and look forward to.
Your opinion is of a sour pus. Chester does deserve a basketball team. Maybe you shouldn't come to anymore games with that attitude. Stop trashing and give Chester the credit it deserves. You are plain wrong about this. C Pride is Not a misnomer. Your opinion is worthless. Go C-Pride!!!
What would you give up to see more kids go on field trips?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Chester basketball. That's why you'll see me at the home games. I pay my $5 everytime and don't come in as the press even though there is a camera around my neck.
I got my A's when I played for da High but I knew I wasn't going to college on a hoops schoarship. You don't have to be a scholar to get a hoops scholarship. I don't get your point.
The team represents the city very well. They couldn't have a better crew of concerned coaches. I especailly love that we sport what's left of our home town talent and don't go all over to recruit just for the sake of having a good team.
I wish the Clip Joint was packed for every home game. Why isn't it, C-Pride? Who remembers the VOC? You had to beg for tickets to see a home game.
In the business world, when you lose money on your product, you close. If you continue to lose money for the sake of pride, I question your motivation as an academic entity.
Of course I'm going to hype the team on this blog. Isn't that giving them the credit they deserve as the #2 team in the state?
I'm not sure what you mean by Chester deserves a basketball team. There are a lot of basketball teams in Chester from Biddy, AAU, to Boy's Club, over 35, summer league and church teams.
Call me a sour pus, but my angst is toward the folks who should put money into academics over sports.
It's embarrassing to have the state's best basketball team in the worst performing school district.
There ought to be a law!
What are you talking about? We don't have to give up anything to go on field trips. There are grants to provide for field trips. Students went on several trips last school year.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you so upset about? No Chester students went to the Franklin Institute Science Fair and you wanted to know what the excuse was this time? Well I spoke to as many Science Teachers as I could and the event was sold out. They could not get in. Maybe if they knew you had some pull, they could have gotten in with some students.
What did you get an A for? Maybe my point is you can't spell scholarship right, meaning you can't look a gift horse in the mouth. For your information, academic scores are on the rise and most do come from the athletes. The athletes can't carry everybody. There are more stringent requirements on them. If everyone had those requirements, everyone would excel.
Chester deserves a high school basketball team and they have a good one. Is that clear enough? You are right there ought to be a law...against your ranting over this issue.
Okay, so I am wrong. Students do go on field trips based on grant money. We don't need to budget for trips. That's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I allow anonymous comments to keep me straight. I guess the other person who commented on field trips wasn't reliable.
What makes you think I'm upset? i'm as happy as can be.
On Feb 1, when I announced the event at the Franklin Institute I wrote..."I'll be there if someone wants a ride". What more did I need to say to indicate that I had some 'pull'.
The real question is, can the money spent on sports be spent to improve academics?
I'm easy. Convince me why we need a basketball team besides 'we deserve one' and I'll be willing to change my mind.
Did you know that schools do exisit that don't have sports? What do you think they focus on?
And, I never ever got an A in spelling. Thank goodness for spell check. Many of us math and science guys have issues with spelling. I'm a lot better than I used to be but I probably can't spell as good as a 5th grader. God bless editors. I envy them.
Okay, I didn't know about the offer of a ride to the Franklin Institute or else I would have tagged along. It seemed like an interesting event. I could have used the information. So I missed that posting, maybe next time.
ReplyDeleteWhy should we have to choose between sports and academics? Why can't we have both? Money should be available for both? Recently, I had a conversation with someone in the Arts. The Arts, music, was cut out of schools at one point, maybe still in some schools. The arts play a very important role for some students. Why shouldn’t we have the Arts in schools? We need well rounded students. I remember being a part of Music Theater and playing my Guitar with the band. Where are the big productions we use to have here? We should have money for everything so students can participate.
I am so sorry for those other schools without sports. I prefer a well rounded student, students who have an open mind and can converse on everything and anything.
In my opinion, the first mission of a school is academics. The arts is academics. Classes in music and art should be part of the curriculum. However, there is no class called sports.
ReplyDeleteSports is extra curricular like band, theater and chorus.
Gym classes and intermural sports (and recess to a lesser degree) can get more students invovled in sports than an expensive varsity sports program that only involve a small select group of athletes.
Churches, art centers, museums, theater companies can introduce and involve kids to the arts. Hence, the need for more field trips.
Can schools have it all? Sure. But if they are failing on the academic side, shouldn't ALL their attention be on getting better?
A good parent will not allow a kid to play sports if they are failing. Why should a school that's failing be allowed to offer sports?
I'll get excited when I see our school administration boldly tell this community that they will do all they can to get our school district out of the basement.
Is that even a goal for our adminstration?
I enjoy our chat but I wish there were many others chiming in, especailly those closer to the school district and sports than I am.
I believe student's academic improvement is a goal of the administration. Just because you don't know what's going on, doesn't mean it is not happening. I think everyone would like to see the schools improve. I just don't think getting rid of sports is the way to do it.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the chat too as long as you know you are wrong. I guess you will never know about your last statement.
Hello! Thank you!! I believe that the sport of basketball is 75% self sufficient. I've always thought that many basketball events (away/home) are sponsored and are not covered 100% under the budget of CUSD. I don’t believe that field trips are few because of budget. I believe fewer field trips are contributed by the non-participation of parents and/or guardianship of students once they arrive at their destinations. Discipline is a major factor within children and young people.
ReplyDeleteOur administration and teachers need help from our parents. I believe that academics are responsibly 50% parents, 25% students and 25% teachers. My prayer is that love returns to the home and our parents embrace their roles and enforce their responsibilities.
I am so sadden to think that our ancestors rallied for a generation of laziness. Let's have it all: sports and academics. I'm a resident who works; but, believes in volunteering. So, volunteers we need you!!
Volunteers could be: persons collecting assistance, retiree's, seniors, etc.. A village is needed once again to raise our children.
I am always wrong. It is my ploy to get experts like you to correct me and help others learn.
ReplyDeleteLook for more idiot post from me in the near future.
Hello Again Mr. Roots! I'm not writing to slam anyone in their wrong; but, I do stand up for the community for which I reside. I've resided here for the majority of my life and I am proud to be a Chester native.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your daily posts of enlightment. Thank you sir!!
May I also thank you for your courage to stir up our thoughts and manipulate us into action. This village will survive as long as their is someone willing to keep it together!!!
Thank you again. Gods' blessings be with you always!!!