School Funds for Athletics Cut

1746 Words4 Pages

According to Up2Us, a New York-based nonprofit that promotes youth sports, from 2010-2011 more than $3.5 billion in athletic funding was cut. This has been the case across America impacting athletics from youth sports all the way up to high school and college level athletics. To have more money for school funding, schools are using athletics as a scapegoat to have enough money to fund school based activities (“Baker”). Lack of funding, due to the recession’s budget cuts, for high school athletics is ultimately hindering sports teams potential, but with more efficient fundraising, better implementation of Title IV, and more athletic facility fundraising groups, a solution could be reached. The onset of club athletics, showcase sports, and college skills camps in the recent decade has caused more athletes to get noticed outside of high school athletics. This puts less emphasis on high school teams and getting noticed during the correlating season in high school. Parents are forking out money to club and showcase teams during the offseason from high school sports and come time for the high school’s season, parent’s wallets are burned out and they are giving less money to booster clubs to support the high school team. Local showcase and travel teams in the Greensboro, NC area are charging $1500-$4500 annually to provide players the opportunity to develop and become a better athlete in their respective sport. When the high school season approaches and booster clubs are offering fundraising opportunities, parents are becoming less cooperative in participating because they have already drained most of their money in the offseason (“Miller”). Title IX states that no woman can be discriminated against in any sport. This means equal mon... ... middle of paper ... ...m, construct a practice lacrosse/soccer field, and construct a covered batting cage for the baseball/softball team (“Greensboro Sports”) Funding for high school athletics is very sparse compared to the actual costs to run a promising team. With the most recent recession, travel/showcase teams taking over parent’s wallets, and misunderstanding of the Title IV amendment, funding for high school athletic teams has been dwindling in the past twenty years. Consolidation, taxing, and a well-orchestrated plans are all promising solutions to provide for high school athletics. Athletic facility fundraising groups are turning out to be the most resourceful and efficient source for raising the needed money. Fundraising is a prominent solution; however, the will and want of individual sports teams to improve their status is the ultimate way to get what each specific team needs.

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