Banging their heads against the wall
Frustrations are running pretty high among high school teams that because they don’t have enough numbers, find that their upcoming seasons have ended before they could even get started.
While this isn’t a new issue, the prevalence and increasing number of teams finding themselves set adrift from their counterparts begs the question, what is happening to our local high school sports? Are kids just becoming too complacent to even care enough about their fellow athletes? Or, are higher powers putting the kibosh on fledgling programs that still need the guidance, backing and support from neighboring districts. The simple answer is, all of the above.
This past fall, North Branch and Bendle high schools found themselves in a similar predicament. Neither was able to field a complete boys’ cross country team, and in Bendle’s case, the entire season was canceled. The previous spring, Atherton had to sideline its track and field program because not enough kids went out for the team.
More recently, Otisville-LakeVille tried to salvage its hockey season by joining forces with Mt. Morris that did not have a team, but was literally kicked off the ice after school officials killed their hockey program. LakeVille has struggled over the past couple of years to field a complete team, and for much of last season, played with six or seven kids. This year, school officials proclaimed that 12 players was the minimum, citing a high potential for injury with a seven-member squad. With seven of its own and two from Mt. Morris, the combined team felt it could fill the remaining three slots to keep its season alive. LakeVille coach Mel Rettell has been through the wringer over the past couple of weeks, and is understandably bitter about the entire situation.
Anyone could understand his bitterness, but no one feels the impact more than the kids who just want to skate. Seniors have been denied the possibility of finishing out their final season, and what of the new team members? What kind of message are we sending these kids, and more importantly, what kind of message are they sending one another when they cannot recruit the bare minimum to compete?
So, it can be done, and in most instances, all available personnel, resources and support should be thrown at these programs to get them back on their feet.
LakeVille Schools Supt. Ted Gardella said, “Our decision regarding the hockey team was motivated by our concern for student safety. Last year, our district fielded a team with as few as seven students. We felt that number was not conducive to student safety, nor did it provide for a competitive program.”
He added, “I understand that the parents who participate in the Hockey Boosters organization are very disappointed in the decision to not field a hockey team this year. They have worked continuously to support the program, but there just was not enough student participation between the two school districts to warrant the team this year. We remain open to fielding a combined team next year.”
Mt. Morris Supt. Lisa Hagel noted, “Nine players is not enough to adequately compete in a physically demanding contact sport. As the season continues, it would not be uncommon to have a player with an injury or ineligible, making the roster even smaller and dangerous.”
Two other programs that will likely see their high school swim programs all but dry up are Flint Kearsley and Davison, another combined team. Because Kearsley will join the Flint Metro League in 2008, it violates league rules to join forces across league boundaries. Kearsley now has the daunting task of finding another fledgling program in the Metro. Clio is its best hope, as the top programs have more than enough numbers.
Lapeer, an already-combined program from Lapeer East and Lapeer West, is at a disadvantage without a pool at either school. The program has thumbed its collective nose at anyone who doubts its ability and drive, and continues to improve in numbers and performance, proving it can be done with the proper support from administration.
Safety issues aside, it’s just sad to see high school sports participation fall to the point where seasons are canceled.

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