THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 6, 1996 TAG: 9610030198
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jeff Zeigler
LENGTH: 59 lines
A story I did last week got me to thinking a little bit about the priority people put on certain high school sports and the apparent disregard for others.
The story was about four junior varsity cheerleaders (yes, cheerleading is considered a sport) who were trying to raise money for a trip to Hawaii. The cheerleaders, because of their excellent performance at a cheering camp, were selected to perform at the NFL Pro Bowl in February 1997. The only catch was that they had to raise $8,000, on their own, by November 1 to be able to make the trip. It struck me as odd that they had to raise the money themselves, with no help from a booster club, which is supposed to support all athletics.
It also occurred to me that high school football players or boys basketball players would seldom, if ever, have to hold a bake sale or sell raffle tickets for any reason.
It seems it's been that way forever. But it doesn't have to be. All student athletes are putting forth a tremendous effort, not just the revenue-generating athletes.
I have been as guilty as anyone for not playing up girls sports and ``non-revenue'' sports. A few years ago, I barely got out of Gates County with my hide when some parents found out that I wasn't covering the girls basketball team. It turns out the Lady Barons won the conference that night as I sat and waited for the boys game to begin.
As I crossed the border of Gates and Pasquotank counties I kind of laughed it off, until the next day when the parents called my editor. You can bet the Gates County girls were on the front page of the sports section the next playoff game.
A call to the reporter or the editor. Perhaps that's what it takes to get more coverage of girls sports and ``non-revenue'' sports like tennis, track, and volleyball. It's hard for me to keep up with everything that goes on, particularly since I'm only doing this part time. Usually if someone approaches me about an interesting story involving a sport other than football or basketball, I will respond to it.
Having run track and cross country in high school, I probably should be more sensitive to the issue. I remember when the school used to hold pep rallies in the fall. Oh sure, they would include the other fall sports in the rally. But all of us knew the rally was really for the football team, which was one of the worst teams in the school.
One particular year I remember that the Cranford (N.J.) High School football team was 2-8. Still, people stood out in the freezing cold and rain and paid good money to watch the Cougars get trounced by Elizabeth High School on Thanksgiving Day. Meanwhile, the cross country team won the conference championship that season. I bet I could count the number of spectators on one hand.
Since many stories in a newspaper are based on readership potential, it would also help if fans would support these other sporting events. There is great interest in football and basketball. It is obvious by the attendance at these events. It is also obvious that there is less support for track, even though more athletes are involved and it takes every bit of skill and conditioning as football does.
Make a non-football or basketball players day. Attend a so-called ``minor'' sporting event this year. Then I'll really have something to write about. by CNB