justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Question: Unfair Advantage?

As mentioned in previous blogs, I am truly a sports Nut, with a capital “N”! Ever since I can remember, I’ve been intrigued by competition of most sorts, attracted by the written and unwritten codes of fairness followed by the majority of teams and individual competitors.

Also mentioned in previous blogs, my small stature and less-than-coordinated nature kept me from being a serious competitor, except for tumbling as a recreational pursuit, before finally becoming a competitive college wrestler. In addition, I’ve coached various sports, enjoying that aspect of competition. In none of those personal experiences did I feel my competitors had an unfair advantage due to the benefit of drawing from a select pool of athletes.

But enough about me, and more about the subject of this blog: the relative fairness or unfairness of a particular team competing against other teams considered less “fortunate”.

I happen to live in the area of one of the nation’s most successful prep football programs, De La Salle High School, in Concord, CA. Their football team set a national high school record of 151 consecutive wins, running from 1992 through 2003. It’s an incredible accomplishment, and they continue to win the majority of games they play as well, as the mythical state champions.

Each year, De La Salle competes mostly against public schools; schools that are limited to playing students from their restricted attendance area, as well as being limited to the equipment and facilities provided by the local school boards, taxpayers, and athletic booster organizations. And for me, that’s the rub.

Many non-public schools are able to accept students from other than dedicated and restricted attendance areas, putting them at an advantage. High school athletes at De La Salle and other non-public schools can come from any place in the country. Their families often have the ability to live and work anywhere. I’m not implying that any “recruiting” takes place, but it stands to reason that if I have a son who is talented, and interested in gaining maximum exposure that could lead to a major college opportunity – and if I had the wherewithal and flexibility to live and work wherever I desire – I would likely consider an athletic powerhouse school, one where I feel my son would thrive.

So what’s a solution to something I feel is not “fair”?  The most obvious one to me is to have these non-public schools play only against each other. Is there a reason that this might not work?

Suggestions welcomed!