09-22-2009, 09:05 AM
Waukegan could make big splash by adding to its pool of sports
Comments
September 22, 2009
Each of us has, stashed away in a coat pocket or desk drawer or the glove-box of the car, an assortment of lists, covering just about every topic you can think of and covering about every length there is.
For example, the longest list in the humble dwelling we call home most definitely is the one for favorite kinds of cookies.
At the top, of course, is the double-stuffs of those Keibler elf-types. But the long, long, long list also includes double-stuff yellow Oreos, double-stuff regular Oreos, virtually every kind of peanut-butter or chocolate chip cookie on the shelf, pinwheels, and even includes peanut-butter Twix bars, although a judge's ruling is needed on that one to determine if it qualifies as a cookie or candy bar.
» Click to enlarge image
FILE PHOTO It would be interesting to find out how many high schools in the state have a swimming pool in the school, but no boys swimming team. That's the current situation at Waukegan High. This empty pool, by the way, doesn't stay empty for long. It's the new pool at Glenbrook South High, which competes in the same league as Waukegan.
» Click to enlarge image
FILE PHOTO It would be interesting to find out how many high schools in the state have a swimming pool in the school, but no boys swimming team. That's the current situation at Waukegan High. This empty pool, by the way, doesn't stay empty for long. It's the new pool at Glenbrook South High, which competes in the same league as Waukegan.
As for the short, short, shortest list, well, that's an easy one too.
It's the list of things the guy writing these words does reasonably well ... and it's pretty much one item long.
That is, he's pretty good at telling other people how to spend their money.
Which brings us to where we are today ... or tonight, to be exact, because that's when some people involved in youth swimming in Waukegan are going to make their pitch to have boys swimming included as a sport at Waukegan High.
Currently, there is a girls swimming team, but no boys team, as the latter was among a list of several sports that were folded many years ago due to the school district's financial woes.
The movement to have a boys program is being led by Mike Howard, who, not surprisingly is the father of three talented swimmers who would represent Waukegan High in the pool, given the chance.
To that end, Howard, wrote a letter to school-board members urging them to add boys swimming to the school's athletic program.
Here's part of what Mike had to say:
"Waukegan is the only one of the 12 schools in the Central Suburban League that does not have a boys swim team. I personally know of families who have moved out of the Waukegan School District area so their sons, who have dedicated years swimming for area feeder teams like the (Waukegan-based Northern Lake County YMCA) Seahorses, can swim at the high-school level.
"When these families move, the city loses sales- and property-tax revenue, the schools lose quality student-athletes, and the community loses the chance to rally behind another winning high-school team.
In addition, a strong swim team is an excellent hiring base for swim instructors and lifeguards for the Waukegan Park District, Lake County YMCA, and the Waukegan City Beach.
"It is time for the Waukegan community to support reinstating the boys swimming team. I appreciate the Waukegan School District budget is tight and has many priorities.
However, the pool exists and swimming equipment is minimal compared to other sports. Bringing back the boys swim team is a way for the district to invest today in a healthier and more vibrant student body and community.
As an alumnus of Waukegan High School, I can personally describe the benefits I gained from my participation on the swim team. The team played an integral role in my high-school experience and provided me with growth experiences and relationships I would never have forged in any other sport. Swimming can reach the student who wants to be involved but may not view themselves as the traditional athlete, like a basketball player or wrestler."
Mike has much more to say, but you get the point.
He also noted that 3-4 talented swimmers from the Seahorses will be entering high school in the next two years, and that at least 20 eighth-grade boys have shown an interest in being part of the swimming team.
Obviously, Mike has a lot of good, positive points.
And the hope here is that Waukegan does add boys swimming to its athletic program for next year.
But the real hope is that Waukegan doesn't stop there.
Besides swimming, there is a huge need for boys bowling and girls bowling teams at the high-school level.
Right now, the only winter-season sports for boys are basketball and wrestling, and the only winter sport for girls at Waukegan High is basketball.
Adding bowling and swimming would get more student-athletes involved in sports which would seem to be a good thing.
Of course, the name of the game is money. There's the cost for coaches, and the costs to transport athletes to the meets, and, for sure, there are other costs that we haven't thought of yet.
So, maybe the money isn't there.
But if it is, boys swimming, boys bowling and girls bowling would be nice additions to Waukegan High's athletic program.
We're rooting for Mike Howard tonight ... and for our young bowlers everywhere.
May the pins fall your way in the next future. EXTRA POINT
Comments
September 22, 2009
Each of us has, stashed away in a coat pocket or desk drawer or the glove-box of the car, an assortment of lists, covering just about every topic you can think of and covering about every length there is.
For example, the longest list in the humble dwelling we call home most definitely is the one for favorite kinds of cookies.
At the top, of course, is the double-stuffs of those Keibler elf-types. But the long, long, long list also includes double-stuff yellow Oreos, double-stuff regular Oreos, virtually every kind of peanut-butter or chocolate chip cookie on the shelf, pinwheels, and even includes peanut-butter Twix bars, although a judge's ruling is needed on that one to determine if it qualifies as a cookie or candy bar.
» Click to enlarge image
FILE PHOTO It would be interesting to find out how many high schools in the state have a swimming pool in the school, but no boys swimming team. That's the current situation at Waukegan High. This empty pool, by the way, doesn't stay empty for long. It's the new pool at Glenbrook South High, which competes in the same league as Waukegan.
» Click to enlarge image
FILE PHOTO It would be interesting to find out how many high schools in the state have a swimming pool in the school, but no boys swimming team. That's the current situation at Waukegan High. This empty pool, by the way, doesn't stay empty for long. It's the new pool at Glenbrook South High, which competes in the same league as Waukegan.
As for the short, short, shortest list, well, that's an easy one too.
It's the list of things the guy writing these words does reasonably well ... and it's pretty much one item long.
That is, he's pretty good at telling other people how to spend their money.
Which brings us to where we are today ... or tonight, to be exact, because that's when some people involved in youth swimming in Waukegan are going to make their pitch to have boys swimming included as a sport at Waukegan High.
Currently, there is a girls swimming team, but no boys team, as the latter was among a list of several sports that were folded many years ago due to the school district's financial woes.
The movement to have a boys program is being led by Mike Howard, who, not surprisingly is the father of three talented swimmers who would represent Waukegan High in the pool, given the chance.
To that end, Howard, wrote a letter to school-board members urging them to add boys swimming to the school's athletic program.
Here's part of what Mike had to say:
"Waukegan is the only one of the 12 schools in the Central Suburban League that does not have a boys swim team. I personally know of families who have moved out of the Waukegan School District area so their sons, who have dedicated years swimming for area feeder teams like the (Waukegan-based Northern Lake County YMCA) Seahorses, can swim at the high-school level.
"When these families move, the city loses sales- and property-tax revenue, the schools lose quality student-athletes, and the community loses the chance to rally behind another winning high-school team.
In addition, a strong swim team is an excellent hiring base for swim instructors and lifeguards for the Waukegan Park District, Lake County YMCA, and the Waukegan City Beach.
"It is time for the Waukegan community to support reinstating the boys swimming team. I appreciate the Waukegan School District budget is tight and has many priorities.
However, the pool exists and swimming equipment is minimal compared to other sports. Bringing back the boys swim team is a way for the district to invest today in a healthier and more vibrant student body and community.
As an alumnus of Waukegan High School, I can personally describe the benefits I gained from my participation on the swim team. The team played an integral role in my high-school experience and provided me with growth experiences and relationships I would never have forged in any other sport. Swimming can reach the student who wants to be involved but may not view themselves as the traditional athlete, like a basketball player or wrestler."
Mike has much more to say, but you get the point.
He also noted that 3-4 talented swimmers from the Seahorses will be entering high school in the next two years, and that at least 20 eighth-grade boys have shown an interest in being part of the swimming team.
Obviously, Mike has a lot of good, positive points.
And the hope here is that Waukegan does add boys swimming to its athletic program for next year.
But the real hope is that Waukegan doesn't stop there.
Besides swimming, there is a huge need for boys bowling and girls bowling teams at the high-school level.
Right now, the only winter-season sports for boys are basketball and wrestling, and the only winter sport for girls at Waukegan High is basketball.
Adding bowling and swimming would get more student-athletes involved in sports which would seem to be a good thing.
Of course, the name of the game is money. There's the cost for coaches, and the costs to transport athletes to the meets, and, for sure, there are other costs that we haven't thought of yet.
So, maybe the money isn't there.
But if it is, boys swimming, boys bowling and girls bowling would be nice additions to Waukegan High's athletic program.
We're rooting for Mike Howard tonight ... and for our young bowlers everywhere.
May the pins fall your way in the next future. EXTRA POINT