Public schools getting beat by public schools is not the issue. Yes, there are lots of unfair things in the world. Inner city/urban schools certainly do not have the many things large suburban districts take for granted: artificial turf football stadiums, immaculate soccer fields, swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnastics programs, etc. Smaller rural districts also do not have these amenities. But, using Cokelys "ironic", how do the private schools dominate even the suburban schools in athletics. As for percentages you need to look at the history of state championships in all sports. Aquinas soccer approaches 100%. You list the Volleyball success at Bishop Miege. How about the baseball championships of Bishop Ward, or the string of football success by Pittsburg Saint Marys Colgan. Or, KCC successes in socer and basketball. And then Topeka Hayden in football and basketball. This forum started out to discuss the NCK League to split 4A into two classes. Several poster said the basis of this NCKL proposal was that public schools in that region were tired of losing year after year to Hayden.

You keep alluding its better coaching in the private schools. And yes, there are some long term successful public school programs. You best example is SMNW Cross Country. But, looking at the history of state championships--I do not see SMNW championships in other sports. As for Hutchinson football, see no history other than football of championships in any other sport. Smithcenter is on a roll I think in football and I think baseball. So what? Way up and out there is another world, plus the private schools they have to play are not perinnal powers in any one sport (although several of the smaller private schools fill up the state level brackets--and often win their own championships. Emporia is and has been an outstanding wrestling school. But, I see no private schools in Emporia, Hutchinson, Smith Center, and a host of other towns/school district that siphon off the athletic talent. As I said previously, coaches without the athletes are just PE teachers.

I said in a post yesterday that I now conclude the best course of action is perhaps to go ahead and separate public and private schools--no competition in any sport. Private school leagues, private school championships, perhaps even a separate private school activites association (Cokely and MFE would then not have to get wound up about KSHSAA, public school administrators and administrations, or public school kids). If private schools want to fill out a schedule, play Rockhurst or a couple of the other private KCMO private schools, go play Springfield Catholic--they have comparable sports records as Kansas private schools. Wichita area private schools can travel into Oklahoma searching for teams to play. From one of your latest post you seem to agree with separating the schools, plus something about the coaches could then help coach your club teams, and you would not be bothered by other KSHSAA restricytions (is that Cokely's out of state travel restriction, or his out of season coaching by the HS coaches).

Bill Mason
Lansing

I know there are spelling and grammer mistakes--everyone get over it. Still waiting for RichardD--who gets upset at such errors and likes to call people stupid-- to get a spell checker installed.