Does Indiana HS Football Pay Its Own Way?

Franklin Township Schools Will Create a Tipping Point
Tim Adams - The Indiana Gridiron Digest

Many Indiana high schools are probably already instituting fees to be paid by the families of high school athletes. Many have reported that there are transportation fees and, in some instances, equipment fees that are absorbed by families. The issue has reared its head in Franklin Township Schools and I have previously sat across from Dr. Walter Bourke when he was at Mt. Vernon HS and I know he is an advocate of the high school athletic experience.

There is a barometer at Franklin Township Schools. They have a 7 million dollar short fall in the budget, but most of the patrons on The Gridiron Digest do not realize what is being asked. It is more than covering the costs of transportation and equipment, it is coaches’ salaries, and building/field utilities. The misnomer is that tax money doesn't cover the expenses of outfitting teams. This is usually covered by funds that are generated by athletics.

Just so you will know where this blog article is headed, the gate receipts of the 4 or 5 home football games usually allow for football and the other sports to pay for their equipment and uniform needs without the use of tax money. The major issue which ripples the water is coaches’ salaries, transportation costs and plant utility costs (lights and indoor climate control). As a former president of the Mt. Vernon teachers union, there would be a huge paradigm shift if “paying to play” went to cover coaches’ salaries.

If that is the case, the IHSAA would have to recognize that paradigm shift. Read the IHSAA bylaws 7.1 - 7.1.3. Honestly, this could be subject to interpretation, but as long as I have coached in Indiana, the spirit of the rule is that compensation from outside the school’s tax structure is usually frowned upon, and, of course, the other can of worms is summer camps, but let's not lose our focus. My immediate thought is if a participation fee is paying for a coach, I want to have a say in who coaches my kid. I also begin to think of entities like the Carmel Dad's Club and what role they may have in this shift of "paying to play."

And, what about injuries in a "pay to play" system? I am sure Franklin Township Schools will hand out a "pro-rated injury policy" for the return of funds paid out for a season should your child be injured and not be able to play for a full season. Dr. Eugene White has already publicly noted that his athletes in the IPS school system have a tendency to stay in school and graduate. It is not hard to imagine that the financial hardship forced upon minority families would see fewer athletes playing sports. The results would simply be lower attendance rates, lower grade-point averages and essentially the dropout rate would increase.

What is Fair and Equitable?

First, I am totally biased because I have always believed that sports are co-curricular and not extra-curricular. Making the grade in math class and excelling on the athletic filed teaches valuable lessons that create a broad educational experience for students. I have served side by side with faculty who did not share my broad view. I always smiled when they were the first one to come to me and ask me to say something to "John" about his performance in class. You and I know that both extreme viewpoints are not a correct outlook. The term "student-athlete" is packed with a true vision of what can happen with a healthy view of academics and athletics.

Second, do we throw other sports under the bus? Would football pay for itself and its coaches with home gate receipts going to football and football only? An interesting concept and one that should be explored.

Third, are club sports better than high school varsity sports? I cannot imagine anyone saying let's quit having high school basketball and create a culture of club basketball in Indiana. Yet, AAU basketball has proven itself as a viable entity. You can always lease out a gymnasium. But, it’s not going to happen in basketball because it easily pays for itself.

Fourth, are we closer to the track team being subsidized by Nike or Reebok? Or, are we closer to the swim team being sponsored by Long John Silver's and Mike's Pools and Spas?

Franklin Township’s vote may become a tipping point in Indiana high school athletics.