It’s a crisp cool Friday night, the lights are on and your local high school football team is taking the field. This scene takes place at stadiums all across the country and has become routine in many towns. Many of these same towns are now affected by the recession that is affecting much of the country. With the recession school budgets are now being looked at more closely with millions of dollars needed to be cut from the budget. An article in Sports Illustrated brings to attention this reality of cutting programs in an effort to make budget. Now the debate comes down to where to find the money needed to balance the budget. When it comes down to teacher’s salary, new computers, or an athletic program, the education has to come first.
However there has to be more to school than just an education, part of school is becoming a well rounded person, and sports always has a place in our society. As we have discussed in class and read about in Jay Coakley’s book high school sports have pros and cons. The pros include involving students in school activities; create school unity, learning life values and lessons, and an increase in fitness and health for athletes. All of these examples show the importance of high school sports in our society, and high school sports will be a part of our society. Instead of cutting programs other options should be given, such as increased fundraising or an option to “pay to play” are acceptable alternatives.
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