It seems like every couple of weeks there’s another cost-cutting measure by the NYPHSAA or Section 1. The spring season has already seen the number of games reduced. Next fall we’re going to get a league realignment that puts geography ahead of competitiveness.
On the table are proposals to reduce out-of-state travel and centralize state playoff sites.
Now comes word about further cuts. The state is debating a proposal to reduce the number of classes in sports. Harold Gutmann has the full story here. This would drastically change the landscape of Section 1’s rivalries. Traditional powers that have always won sections in different classes will suddenly be pitted against each other.
It’s not finalized yet. You never know how the votes are going to go. But, like the economy, you figure it gets worse before it gets better.
10 Comments
I know times are tuff for every one out there. But is enuff going to be enuff.
Jake
Any insite on the way people tend to be leaning? If they cut one class out will that affect 2 class sports such as wrestling, or can they make that decision sport by sport?
Thanks
Perhaps someone of indepth knowledge could comment. I am under he impression that wrestling is a relatively cheap sport (ie football,hockey)?? Furthermore, I thought that the state wrestling tournament has made money since going D1 and D2? If true,our wrestling representitives need facts in hand to make these points. I hope,if wrestling takes a hit,that creative funding through booster clubs could be arranged.
wont less classes make seasons longer? or is it going to be a terrible football season where teams will not even play each other but one will make it to the playoffs over another ? will there be will there be 6 leagues per class ? with 2 wild cards ? or no wildcards only division winners make it ?
wrestling is expensive, lots of bus rides, and overtime for bus drivers(tournaments) its something like $300-$450 a bus more for tournaments
Just a Fan…While many of the cuts will affect wrestling (travel reductions, cutting back the number of meets, etc.) I don’t think anything will happen to Division I and II. Football, baseball, and many other sports have five classes — AA, A, B, C, D. You can cut out one without fundamentally changing the sport. Not so wrestling, hockey, or track, which only have two playoff divisions. If they tried to merge DI and II it would basically destroy small schools. It’s too drastic a step to take unless things got really bad.
jake not too long ago there was no d1 d2 and teams like sleepy and nanuet were regularly in the top 5 at sections. granted for duals having more kids helps but in an individual sport small school doesnt matter and im dating myself but ask juan carlos garcia, phil donnley,emilo collins,raul ortiz, matt homenick, jason parker,rich conklin, and chris ewing. some of the best in section 1 history, all small school kids who prove its not about school size in an individual tournament
Not only OT for bus drivers and gas for the bus. But, keeping the clock and score as well as crowd control at home meets cost a few bucks. Add all the teams and different winter sports and it adds up. Football may be a bargin with only 8 games
oldschool…In a way you’re right. Individual sports do allow for a few exceptional kids to go far even if they go to a tiny school. But many DII champs would not have won sections if they had to meet DI kids along the way. Look at the list of DII sectional winners from last year. I’m sure you could pick out several that probably wouldn’t beat their big-school counterparts.
thanks jake, but arent section titles supposed to be for the exceptional, not the very good? thats why everyone works so hard to win one. I saw that they are not considering eliminating d1 and d2 for wrestling so its not an issue that needs to be brought up. However upstate d2 kids are better than d1 kids in many sectins which prove its not about school size its about what kind of program you have. Look at jjcr and Fox lane they are smaller than 10-15 large school programs and we all know everyone else is wrestling for 3rd come sections