High school athletics

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I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on why this community doesn't get behind and support high school athletics more than it does? This thought occured or renewed itself when they had the Class C basketball state finals in Belgrade about a month ago. Some communities had half their towns here, it seemed. We have a lot of other things going on here with college sports, and other recreational opportunities. But the high school generally has a good "product" for most sports, and the Legion baseball team has a great facility. These are kids playing for the love of the sport. They aren't playing for tuition or money. Yet it seems like it's parents and relatives that are the only ones in the stands.
A pass or a family pass is the best value around.
In Billings, with 4 high schools, high school sports are huge. The local paper sponsors a website just for prep sports. What gives with Bozeman?
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posted on Sun, Apr 06, 2008 06:30 AM
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Athletes byellofoto4 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Athletics are important... but maybe Bozeman focuses more on the education?
Why does no one show support to speech and debate teams or the auto class like they do with football?

Just a thought.
Athletes bychaos4 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Billings has four high schools--Bozeman has one and keeps it that way so that it stays in a bigger conference and doesn't have to dilute the teams by dividing into two schools--nevermind that this would allow more athletes to play. High school kids are playing for more than a love of the sport.
Athletes byuptown4 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Ellofoto: I think that might be right that more emphasis is put on academics or the "arts" than on athletics. But generally I think a student who participates in music, speech/debate and athletics usually carries a higher GPA. I guess what I find wonder at is that we have a college with a mediocre athletic program with participants who are from out of state/town and who play for the tuition. And the stands are filled. But we have our neighbors kids out there playing for thier school and the community and they play in front of relatives only.
Chaos: I've heard that a lot of the arguement against 2 high schools is that there would be two class A schools instead of one class AA school. That is insane to think athletics could be that big of a concern to influence what would be best overall. Am curious on what it is that kids are playing for that is other than the love of the sport? I know there are the few that are good enough to get the scholorships for college, but I have always been amazed by how most kids don't want to play in college or know they aren't going to.
Athletes bySundanceGirl3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I to am actually surprised by the lack of enthusiasm this town has for high school sports. Coming from a background where my father was the Varsity Football Coach, my sister and I were competitive cheerleaders, my brother the leading soccer scorer in the state, and another brother going through the rigors of the baseball scouting season - this community seems flat when it comes to organized athletics at the high school level. Since many students don't go on to play in college - HS is a prime time to get an opportunity to play. Its also a great time for the body to push itself physically. I can't do the same flips I could at 16 and 17, that's for sure. Organized sports in HS teaches important lessons that general academics can't reach - leadership, collaboration, team-work, hand-eye coordination, and it creates a sense of pride and resilience. Plus, it keeps kids occupied on something other than TV, video games, drugs, alcohol, and so on. We have all these over-weight kids now days - why? Lack of sports? Probably. I do think that athletes tend to be involved in more activities in school as well because they learn to appreciate structured time. I was in a year-round sport, but also in Speech, Mock Trial, Yearbook Editor, and Dramatics. Plus, I had a 3.9 GPA. Athletics taught me how to push my body and my mind. Bozeman should support that in its students. Having a AA school will also assure Bozeman HS of having competition that is at its same level.
Good post byuptown3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Thanks for the post Sundance Girl. Good points all. I also really enjoyed the Chonicle article on the Clark girl. It pointed out how much higher the GPA's were for kids who participated in sports. And that those who participated in more than one sport had a higher GPA than one sport athletes.
From a selfish standpoint, I think high school athletics is great entertainment at a great price, and it brings a community together.
High School Athletes bygaryt3 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I was born & raised in Bozeman and it's always been that way. As long as the college is there, HS Sports will play second fiddle. If your kids are involved you will show up and watch the games but the other townspeople will ignore them. I lived in smaller towns such as Glasgow, Shelby and even Kalispell etc. There the entire town will show up for a game even though they don't have kids in school. I think it has lot to do with MSU being there since I'm sure Missoula has the same problems as Bozeman..