Private schools abound at state tourney this year
DES MOINES — The abundance of private schools at this week’s boys’ state basketball tournament once again has some people questioning if the Iowa High School Athletic Association should look into an enrollment “multiplier” to determine sports classifications for non-public schools.
States such as Missouri and Arkansas use a multiplier system, while other states have separate athletics classes for public and private schools. As an example, the enrollment of Council Bluffs St. Albert (which was in the Class 1A field) would jump from 152 to 228 using a multiplier of 1.5.
There were 383 IHSAA-member varsity basketball programs this winter, including 40 from private, mostly parochial, schools. Ten of those qualified for the state tournament, including half of the eight-team field in 1A.
That’s the highest number of private-school state entries in the 2000s. There were nine private-school state tournament teams last season, eight in 2008, five in 2007 and three in 2006.
“Some people have had concerns, particularly in the smaller classifications in basketball,” admitted the IHSAA’s Todd Tharp.
There were 24 private schools in 1A basketball this season, 11 in 2A, three in 3A and two in 4A. 1A is the largest classification, with 141 programs.
Tharp said the IHSAA studies the issue every two years, putting together a committee of athletics directors and administrators from public and private schools in 2008 that recommended the status quo. He said the IHSAA is scheduled to again look into the issue beginning this summer
“We’re trying to be proactive and think outside the box,” he said. “Because we know there are many, many small schools out there.”
Cedar Rapids Xavier athletics director Mike Winker said he sees no reason for change. Xavier has been 4A in basketball the past two seasons after three state appearances in the 2000s in 3A.
“I’m in favor of keeping the system the way it is,” Winker said. “There are many other factors that determine athletics success than being a private or public school.”
A little Hawk talk
You can kind of call this year’s state tournament an Iowa Hawkeye reunion.
Former Hawkeye and professional center Acie Earl was on the Solon bench Tuesday as an assistant coach. He works with the Spartans’ sophomores.
Another former Hawk, Jess Settles, is a volunteer assistant coach for Mount Pleasant. He is a relative of Panthers’ starting center Henry Kriegel-Coble.
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Simply put, private schools have an advantage over public schools because of parent involvement and the financial resources parents bring to these schools. You see this all the time in the smaller classifications for all sports over the years. It does not seem to be a factor in Class 4A though.
Years ago it was thought private schools had an advantage because they were not limnited by a certain geographical area (school district). But with open enrollment, the public schools today should be on an even basis and is probably why the IHSAA hasn’t made a change.
That is a valid point, John David. But tend to doubt many, if any kids would open enroll at a small school such as an Olin. Just a guess.
Public schools typically have a much higher percentage of low income kids which usually leads to less extracurricular activity. With less students participating in extracurricular activities, the public schools are at a disadvantage to similar size private schools. This advantage seems to go away in large 4A schools.
The concept of a multiplier sounds like a great idea. Xavier has not had nearly as much success in 4A compared to 3A. It would be interesting to see what would happen in soccer …
The concept of a multiplier is way off base. Why punish smaller private schools just because someone is upset their school did not make state? Private schools excel because parents are involved. And because we have to pay for our uniforms, and camps, and travel expenses. Public schools can not have it both ways. They want the schools to be ran like private, but not pay for it. Sooner or later all small schools will be private- the rest will have been consolidated with other smaller schools. Then what will public schools complain about next.
JEFF (author) said:
That is a valid point, John David. But tend to doubt many, if any kids would open enroll at a small school such as an Olin. Just a guess
Yeah kids would never open enroll in a smaller school……..like Solon? Talk about an open enrollment magnet.
Solon very well could be a 3A school soon. I was talking more 1A-type schools.
Referencing Jeff’s comment #6. You must have kid(s) in a private school. It is great that you have the financial resources to send your child to a private school but your ending comments about public schools is very sad.
Here is something else to think about. Home schooling is becoming very popular choice nationwide. Almost 10% of Iowa kids are home schooled. Home school kids are now starting to form select club teams in various sports. What happens when they apply for associate membership to either the IAHSAA or IGHSAU? In the not to distant future, I could see a Cedar Rapids or Des Moines based home school organization be classified as a 1A school and easily win various state tournaments.
Having both served on the school board for a 1000 student public district and still doing contract work for several privates, it’s obvious to me that there is an advantage. I have seen privates with four coaches, all with extensive college/semi-pro/pro experience that come from outside employment. Our public school coaches are teachers first, coaches second. Secondly, I recently overheard a conversation where the coaches were discussing “scouting reports” on 8th graders, saying “I think we can get him”. I feel they should have there own clas wnen it comes to tourney time.
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To Guest from Jeff- just so you know I am not financially well off. Exact opposite. Yes my children attend a private school, but only thanks to PSAS finanacial aid. Do not pass judgement just because a child attends private school. And good point regarding homeschooled children. They already do participate in public schools. And for Pete Thompson- the same can be said about recruiting in public schools in Eastern Iowa. Without naming names there is highly talented student athlete that open enrolled in West Delaware that actually should of attended a smaller public 2A school. Again everything goes both ways-most smaller private schools are teachers first- coaching second.
Still gotta think private school have an overall advantage when it comes to athletics. Is that enough to do the multiplier? Not sure about that.
However, I find it ridiculous that a school from Council Bluffs is in the same class as schools from Lineville-Clio and Ed-Co.
Having grown up in Iowa and now living in the Chicagoland area I am very familiar with multipliers. Illinois is a mess and it hasn had much impact at the lower classes. Private schools still dominate there and public schools tend to dominate in the larger classes. However what we should really be talking about is commitment, not just to athletics but to academics. The public school drop out rate is much higher than the private schools. A kid who started out as one of seven or eight talented players as a freshmen may be one of two or three as a senior because the others have left school or the game in public schools. In 2009 Waukegan High in Illinois made it to the elite eight in soccer( largest class) with a team dominated by 9th & 10 graders. In 2010 Waukegan was horrible becasue the majority of the players from 2009 had either dropped out of school or were academically ineligible to play. Start with commitment to education
Nice, thanks! Maybe you can do a follow up post about it?
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