I sure hope the kids on the Oshkosh North and Oshkosh West boys basketball teams realize how good they have it. Winning all of those conference titles. Playing for sectional championships and state titles every year. A few days in Madison every March may as well be built into the school calendar at West (we could use those as snow makeup days if the team doesn't go to state).
When I was in high school we didn't win squat. We didn't make it out of the first round of the playoffs in any year. It didn't help that we had to play teams with Tony Bennett and Jeff Messenger on them. But for us, just a win in the post-season would have been huge. Whenever I tell coaches that I played at Bay Port, I always have to preface it by saying that I went there before they got good at every sport.
We didn't enjoy the big crowds that will pack the Kolf Sports Center tonight and tomorrow. Average attendance was all of the guys who couldn't stand the coach and didn't go out for basketball--our friends--and our parents. There were some nights we were outcheered by visiting fans in our own gym. Wrestling was the big sport at that time--and they got the big student turnout and the community support.
But that was okay. We didn't quit playing, and I still thoroughly enjoyed my high school sports experience. I think you actually learn a lot more by losing than you do by winning. It's easy to come in for the morning practice they day after you win your 10th game in a row. It shows real commitment when you come in the day after losing your 10th in row. And best of all, you learn that sometimes life isn't fair. Sometimes a ref will make a bad call and you lose or someone makes a crazy last second shot. You also find out that some people are better at certain things than others--either by raw talent or hard work. Nobody said "Ashwaubenon, you have won more games than you really needed to--you should give some of them to Bay Port so they feel better about themselves."
So I hope the players and the fans at the Kolf appreciate just how special this situation is because there are a lot of us out there that never got to experience it. May the best team win.
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Big crowds will pack the Kolf Sports Center tonight and tomorrow for High Schools sport action.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell us,
Does a portion of attendance money go to the OASD? After all it is a high school sports program.
Does the OASD lease/rent the Kolf for these events; similiar to leasing or renting the Oshkosh Sports Complex?
Yes, while we may appreciate big student turnouts and the community support for these programs; one can't help but wonder how much district funding is lost to the UWO system.
ReplyDeleteThe BOE has always clouded this funding picture. With programs being cut maybe its time to clarify the sports funding picture...
How much does the OASD actually pay UWO yearly beyond the $40,000 for renting the stadium and the additional 1.5M for renovations?
Yes, it definitely would be far cheaper for each high school to build its own sports facilities, rather than piggy-backing with another instition. "Penny wise and pound foolish" that's our motto!
ReplyDeleteOr would you rather just do away with athletics as an unneccessary distraction to the students?
The games being played at Kolf tonight and tomorrow are WIAA tournament games, hosted by Oshkosh North. How that impacts the OASD, I don't know - but people should know that this weekend's Boys Division 1 sectional games are being played not only at Kolf, but also the Al McGuire Center (hosted by Germantown & Arrowhead), the Brown County Arena (hosted by Pulaski), and predetermined various high schools (based on factors concerning the facility, not which schools are actually playing).
ReplyDelete12:18PM? Why so Nasty?
ReplyDeleteSomeone is just asking some questions about the financial aspect of these games.
Why can't they get some reasonable answers to valid questions?
Is there a financial gain for North High School for hosting a WIAA game?
No one is asking if sports are important or if it would be wiser to host the games in our own facilities.
If the OASD asks taxpayers for millions to fund new schools and facilities; residents have a right to know if the sports program is funneling some revenue back to the
system programs.
"nemesis said...
ReplyDeleteYes, it definitely would be far cheaper for each high school to build its own sports facilities, rather than piggy-backing with another instition. "Penny wise and pound foolish" that's our motto!
Or would you rather just do away with athletics as an unneccessary distraction to the students?
March 13, 2009 12:18 PM"
Do you have the statistical documentation to back up what you said Nemeass?
I'd like to see you try to prove how it would be cheaper for west and north to each have a facility as fine as Titan. Or the cost to create something like Kimberly HS has.
I'll be waiting to see your documentation.
Does anyone think it is wiser to continue to pay rent or lease than buy your own.
ReplyDeleteWould you consider leasing your car year after year?
How long would you rent a house rather than but your own.
As far as Titan being such a fine facility... it should be with the OASD paying a lease of $40,000 plus 1.5M in renovation costs.
Money that is confirmed to be extra and not in the budget.