THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 27, 1995 TAG: 9508250175
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
AT A TIME when some schools are adding sports programs, there is a concern about adequate funding for athletic competition already in progress at Portsmouth schools.
The 1995-96 season will be the last in the Southeastern District for the three city schools. Norcom, Wilson and Churchland are headed into the Eastern District next year with the five Norfolk schools.
Hopefully future schedules can be structured to continue many of the Portsmouth-Chesapeake rivalries that have produced the major gates.
At the Portsmouth Sports Club Monday Raymond Hale, Churchland's principal and the chairman of the 38-school Eastern Region, pointed out a possibility of the revenue problem at the outset of the new school alignments.
``Our best gates are with long traditional rivals,'' pointed out Hale. ``We stand to lose financially. If there is a revenue problem, we will have to do away with some sports.
``This does concern me because it has been well documented that generally kids who take part in extra-curricular activities do better in the classroom than those who do not participate.
``But if we don't get more money coming in, we will have a problem.''
Hale is not the only person who has expressed concern. Although Lew Johnston, head football coach at Western Branch, doesn't mind the realignment, he realizes the switch will take some getting used to.
``I think it's going to be a big adjustment for everybody,'' he said. ``Our big rivalry games have always been with the Portsmouth schools because they're so close.
``The positive thing for us is having the two Suffolk schools (Nansemond River and Lakeland) in the district. We've already got a rivalry going with them.''
The Bruins have scrimmaged both schools in recent years.
Some people involved in the issue think it's too early to be sounding an alarm.
``I don't think (realignment) will be a factor. If you have a good football team, they'll come see you play,'' said Deep Creek principal Nat Hardee. ``With Lakeland and Nansemond River in the district, that gives us eight teams. I think we'll be able to pick up three games. We've had a very good relationship with Portsmouth.
``They'll probably gain (gate receipts) in basketball because of Granby and Booker T. and Maury. Hopefully it'll even out.''
Hale said he had been approached by individuals interested in expanding athletic programs in the Portsmouth high schools, adding varsity boys volleyball and junior varsity soccer.
``Right now we have income coming from football, basketball and wrestling. We don't charge for many of the minor sports we put on.
``Basically we get a sum of money to operate our extra-curricular activities and must raise the rest through ticket sales and fund-raisers.
``I personally feel there is too much fund-raising going on by the kids, such as selling doughnuts. But we are at a point where we need more money or play less sports.''
With the closing of Cradock and the demolition of Frank D. Lawrence Stadium, Churchland now has the only football stadium in the city.
The three high schools will be playing all their home games at Churchland Stadium this fall.
``Actually we have worked out a pretty good schedule,'' said Hale. ``There's just a game or two on Thursday nights and a few games on Saturday. The rest are Friday night.
``But what if we have rain? If it rains, we'll probably play in the rain.
``And that will be another revenue problem.
``Down the road,'' said Hale, ``we could have some hard decisions to be made.'' MEMO: Staff writer Julie Goodrich contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Will Churchland still play Western Branch in 1996? Realignment could
jeopardize traditional rivalries.
by CNB