Public Schools recruiting...

[maxstabs13]

Most people see private schools as recruiting, but in recent years I have noticed it is trending into public schools as well.

North Scott got the Seales brothers and then Marlon Stewart. One of the best players from Rock Island is transferring to North Scott now from what I have heard. Park View is a cheap apartment community in the NS school district, so it makes it easy for kids to transfer schools without dealing with the financial burden of a community like Eldridge.

Privates schools don't really recruit as people would like to believe. Parents look at and consider schools, coaching, academics, and so on to decide the best options for the kids. Some allow the kids to choose and others decide for them.

The opposite can happen as well. I know some kids who attended private schools in elementary and middle school and attended public high schools. I had a hand full of friends do that and go on to not only succeed in public high schools, but play college sports as well.

Heck, some private schools get kids from other private schools. Alleman isn't very good at basketball and thus occasionally Assumption will get some kids from Illinois private schools who go to Assumption due to basketball tradition.

 

[Hawksfolife]

In the last nine months Linn Mar has gotten an elite swimmer (Kelsey Dake from CR Jefferson), an elite womens basketball player (Amanda Olinger from CR Jefferson) and a D1 mens basketball player (Jared Printy from CR Washington) to transfer from City of CR schools.

 

[cidhawkeye]

Odd that this topic languishes. Seems that when these things are brought up in say wrestling everyone just shrugs. An elite kid moves to a private school and 'something must be done' is the battle cry. I hope people realize just how bad the double standard is.

 

[RoundMound1]

I think the problem you'll find isn't so much that people look the other way when it is a public school, although you could make that argument and I wouldn't totally disagree with you as it does seem louder when talking about privates.

I think the problem that more people have is when kids go to a private school that is in a small class located in a metro area. I haven't heard much complaining about Xavier, Wahlert, or Assumption football players until this year when they were all moved to 3A. Have always heard complaints about Assumption wrestling, however, because they compete at a lower level. Same to a smaller degree with Xavier, Wahlert and Assumption basketball.

I would say, however, that people don't completely look the other way when public schools stock up. Just speaking for Eastern Iowa, West Branch has taken it's share of heat for numerous "recruits" in the past as has Solon. Also, in SE Iowa circles there is plenty of complaining about Mediapolis benefiting from Burlington and surrounding area kids, mostly for wrestling but these kids also have been key contributors for the football program that has been rejuvenated as of late.

Just my theory

 

[mtdew_fever]

It happens in every sport. My school is public and has had two notable transfers come in for their senior year.

A number of years ago a girl transferred in for her senior year because my school had a very talented girls basketball team and she even moved from a school within the conference. That year they won the state title with her helping.

In the past 10 years, we had a high level cross country/track runner come in. He lead the team to a top 3 team finish in Cross Country and then would have had a top 3 finish in track had it not been for a dropped baton. He was a big part of both teams' successes.

In both of those cases, there was no solicitation for the kid to transfer in. However, what made them want to transfer was because my high school had some returning talent in those sports and head coaches that were respected.

 

[cidhawkeye]

Very valid points on the topic. The heat for WB and Solon may have come from some private school supporters in the area who like to ask questions when there appears to be a pretty strong double standard on these things.

 

[LukeFeddersen]

Should the transfer rules be the same? Should they consider changing them?

 

[rushtoexcellence]

The biggest problem in any of the transfers is the parents. If the parents move for a job change it is understandable. If it is just so their child can play on a better team it is the parents who are thinking too much about their kid and not all of the kids that their child has grown up with.

 

[maxstabs13]

Assumption wrestling will not change. They have someone, who I don't believe is even an alumni, who helps parents of top wrestlers in the area with tuition to get them in to Assumption.

The school isn't behind it, but I do know that with any kid regardless of the abilities they possess in sports Assumption will do as much as possible to be able to help kids attend the school. I am sure it is that way with any private school, because they need numbers to function.

Most parents these days don't see the major issues with public schools until the are in the pre-teen/teen stage. I think this is a big reason why kids go from public to private for high school. The joining of multiple junior highs and teenage attitudes/decisions can leave public schools as a not so desirable educational option for some parents, so if they can then why not send them to private schools. Private schools like Assumption, Xavier, Wahlert, etc... offer more stable coaching generally as well.

 

[Lyoncounty]

I am curious as to what % of students currently attending a high school in the state of Iowa choose that high school specifically for sports. I am going to say it is less than 1%. This seems to be quite a hot topic issue for such a small number of students.

 

[cidhawkeye]

I am curious as to what % of students currently attending a high school in the state of Iowa choose that high school specifically for sports. I am going to say it is less than 1%. This seems to be quite a hot topic issue for such a small number of students.

It certainly does.

 

[cyard31]

Assumption wrestling will not change. They have someone, who I don't believe is even an alumni, who helps parents of top wrestlers in the area with tuition to get them in to Assumption.

The school isn't behind it, but I do know that with any kid regardless of the abilities they possess in sports Assumption will do as much as possible to be able to help kids attend the school. I am sure it is that way with any private school, because they need numbers to function.

Most parents these days don't see the major issues with public schools until the are in the pre-teen/teen stage. I think this is a big reason why kids go from public to private for high school. The joining of multiple junior highs and teenage attitudes/decisions can leave public schools as a not so desirable educational option for some parents, so if they can then why not send them to private schools. Private schools like Assumption, Xavier, Wahlert, etc... offer more stable coaching generally as well.

Through in a "faith based" education & it even complicates things more.

 

[EastIowaHawk]

Sure seems as if there is a lot more movement of players between schools than there was even a few years ago. As far as recruiting, I think in almost all cases it is the parents and the athlete who initiate the move. One of the big initiating factors is that kids play together on AAU and summer teams and get to know each other pretty well. It's only natural for the kid to want a friend to come join them, and it is only natural for a kid to want to play on a good team so he may get a scholly. I think, however, that it pretty much sucks for the school and coach that they leave, but I can say that no kid makes a move without a parent helping to push them along. And sometimes the parent is pushing hard with both hands. And-- the amount of movement back and forth in middle school (before high school) is mind-blowing.

 

[badben44]

yawn....

 

[Bulldog198240]

yawn....

now that's funny!!!!

 

[EastIowaHawk]

How I wish that horse is actually deceased!

 

[Leave0doubt]

Martensdale St. Mary's epic baseball run of 88 wins was loaded with out of district talent. There is no way to say whether they were recruiting or not. However, I do believe that only 3-4 players that contributed early on were actually from the district. Others were from Truro, Lenox, Winterset, Creston, Norwalk, Indianola. It's just the nature of growing competition and the IHSAA has not the time nor resources to address the problem.

 

[Leave0doubt]

Martensdale St. Mary's epic baseball run of 88 wins was loaded with out of district talent. There is no way to say whether they were recruiting or not. However, I do believe that only 3-4 players that contributed early on were actually from the district. Others were from Truro, Lenox, Winterset, Creston, Norwalk, Indianola. It's just the nature of growing competition and the IHSAA has not the time nor resources to address the problem.

and No, they are not a private school. St. Mary's is a town.

 

[MepoDawg#]

I think the problem you'll find isn't so much that people look the other way when it is a public school, although you could make that argument and I wouldn't totally disagree with you as it does seem louder when talking about privates.

I think the problem that more people have is when kids go to a private school that is in a small class located in a metro area. I haven't heard much complaining about Xavier, Wahlert, or Assumption football players until this year when they were all moved to 3A. Have always heard complaints about Assumption wrestling, however, because they compete at a lower level. Same to a smaller degree with Xavier, Wahlert and Assumption basketball.

I would say, however, that people don't completely look the other way when public schools stock up. Just speaking for Eastern Iowa, West Branch has taken it's share of heat for numerous "recruits" in the past as has Solon. Also, in SE Iowa circles there is plenty of complaining about Mediapolis benefiting from Burlington and surrounding area kids, mostly for wrestling but these kids also have been key contributors for the football program that has been rejuvenated as of late.

Just my theory

What kids transferred into Mediapolis during high school years?

 

[RoundMound1]

What kids transferred into Mediapolis during high school years?

Good post Dawg. I should clarify that the out of town wrestling kids going to Mediapolis have done so since they were young kids (at least as far as I know). That would put them in a different discussion than other schools who get "recruits" during their high school years.

 

[Bulldog198240]

The problem is when you have private schools in a city of 50,000+ people and they're able to recruit exceptional athletes from that large base and yet play in a smaller class....if they live in a city of 50,000 they should have to play in the largest class....as far as your 1% argument it doesn't fly when it comes to athletics ...take two kids and put them on a basketball team and playing 2A and 3A it's a huge disadvantage for others ...and don't tell me the private schools don't recruit I've seen it firsthand....you think the big athletes are going to "Wahlert" for the academics?...give me a break

 

[On Wings of Eagles]

Will Bernie Sagau's prophecy of club sports only come true someday? Sometimes I feel like we are half way there.

 

[ORSKY1]

Will Bernie Sagau's prophecy of club sports only come true someday? Sometimes I feel like we are half way there.

I'm not sure that's such a bad thing for some of the sports. I could certainly see soccer,baseball, wrestling, swimming, track, softball, even basketball be at the club level in most communities. There wouldn't have to be any state border, age issues, grade issues, recruiting concerns, financing, advertising, tenure or other issues. They could play in their own leagues not for state titles but for regional titles and national championships.

In the meantime, schools could still offer school sports, but they would need some rigid rules with real teeth to keep it simple. Passing classes would matter, competing with your friends for fun would matter, bus rides and games against local rivals would matter, living in your community and not setting up pseudo residences so your child can excel at the better football school would matter. Parents are in the stands, coaches are allowed to coach without comment about why Johnnie isn't starting, parents aren't coaching, swearing, drinking, plotting against or planning for the next coach, they're just eating walking taco and cheering on their team. Oh yeah and we have to go back to the 50's. Good times....