THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996 TAG: 9602080537
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
The Virginia Beach School Board's proposal to cancel high school athletics this spring to help alleviate the district's expected $4.4 million budget shortfall has drawn criticism from Beach District coaches and athletic directors.
``(The kids) didn't do this,'' one Tallwood High coach said on the condition of anonymity. ``Why punish them because the people at the top messed things up?''
The board offered 15 money-saving options at Tuesday's meeting. The list was sent to City Council with a request for a commitment to fund the potential shortfall and with the understanding that the board would have to make the cuts suggested on the list if no additional revenue was forthcoming.
And more funding appears unlikely. Beach council members on Wednesday said they didn't have the money or the will to bail out the school system again. The issue will be discussed at the council's meeting on Tuesday.
Cutting spring sports would save $360,000.
The Beach District season provides competition for nearly 2,000 athletes in 11 varsity and junior varsity sports. Baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls track and field and boys tennis make up the spring high school schedule. Practice is scheduled to begin Feb. 26.
Dropping such programs, even for one year, would have a significant impact, according to those potentially affected by the proposal.
``I don't think the public would accept such a thing,'' said Roy Ammons, Kellam student activities coordinator for the past 33 years.
Many coaches don't think the proposal will be adopted and others see it as a political ploy to force City Council to come up with the money.
``In Northern Virginia, they cut back on the number of games to save money and that's something I could live with,'' said Cox girls soccer coach Terri Sawyer, whose team made it to the state semifinals last year. ``But to eliminate it altogether . . . that's ludicrous.''
The biggest concern from coaches, athletic directors and principals was for the athletes.
``I'm concerned that they're even thinking about it,'' said Green Run baseball coach Jeff Ballance, whose Stallions won last year's Group AAA state title. ``We created a lot of excitement and had the support of other schools and coaches when we won last year.
``I can't imagine taking the opportunity for something like that away from us.''
Potential scholarships were another concern.
``It could be the difference in getting a free college education,'' Ballance said. ``That's all I can think about with this - what's it going to do to the kids?''
Several principals contacted said they couldn't comment, but admitted not liking the thought of dropping spring athletics.
Doris Reidel has been the student athletic coordinator at Princess Anne for 18 years and said she'd never heard of such a drastic measure before.
``But then again, (the school system) has never been in such a mess as this,'' she said. ``I just hope that something else can be done, because is doesn't seem fair to the kids.'' by CNB