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Thursday, November 8, 2007
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BHS coaches, athletes express range of concerns
Sports Editor Brainerd School District's failed referendum drew reactions from Brainerd Warrior coaches and athletes that one might expect.
As a result of the rejection, all middle school athletics/activities may be eliminated along with 18 of the high school league sports and all other clubs and organizations with paid advisers.
Coaches' and athletes' reactions ranged from concern to shock to disappointment.
"My concern is about student-athletes and those students who not only enjoy academics, which they ought to, but all those who enjoy activities that happen after 3:30 p.m. Not just athletics, but the arts and clubs," Brainerd football coach Ron Stolski said.
He added that "what seems to me is going to occur is additional financial burden will be put on those who not only deserve, but often need the values and experiences that after-school activities can provide, like music and the arts."
Warrior girls' swimming and diving coach Dan Anderson said he was "about as disappointed as can be, to put it mildly," following the failure.
"Whatever cuts are going to be made a lot According to the Minnesota State High School League Web site BHS offers 33 sports and activities:
Adapted floor hockey; Alpine skiing (boys and girls); baseball; basketball (boys and girls);
Cheerleading; cross country running (boys and girls); dance team, jazz/funk and high kick/precision; debate;
Football; golf (boys and girls); gymnastics; hockey (boys and girls);
Music; Nordic skiing (boys and girls); one-act play; soccer (boys and girls);
Fast-pitch softball; speech; swimming and diving (boys and girls); tennis (boys and girls);
Track and field (boys and girls); volleyball; wrestling.
of kids are going to miss out," he said. "As a parent you simply want your kids to have the same opportunities you had. I had the opportunity to play sports. I hoped my kids could, but that probably isn't going to happen.
"Some might take this as sour grapes but it's just disappointing. If I'm not coaching next year it's not the end of the world but it probably will be for many of my athletes."
Junior football player Mike Gervenak said "everybody is kind of in shock that it didn't pass."
"For the junior class a lot of us are just happy we got through the junior high level," he added. "With my younger brothers and their grades they're worried about ... what chances they're going to get. The biggest thing, as far as sports, is we don't know exactly what will happen and how to deal with it.
"Everyone is talking about it. Right now you don't know if you should just panic because you don't know what will happen for sure. They've been talking about doing it for a long time. When the cuts actually happen is when everybody will start really worrying about it."
Alex Rahn, another football player, said many students may not be able to participate in activities.
"I was talking with some juniors in some sports that could be cut and I heard some have thought about moving," he said. "It could cause other kids and families of younger ages to possibly move out of Brainerd. It's pretty big.
"Classes could be a lot bigger next year. All gym classes probably would be cut and all those activities. I just hope we can bounce back from this."
Junior swimmer Bailey Geraets thought the consensus at school was that students were disappointed
"I think we're all worried a little about what will be cut and what's not going to be cut," she said. "A lot of rumors have been going around during school about what will be cut. Some think everything will be cut.
"We're trying to stay optimistic. We're getting ready to swim in the sections Friday. I think this will make us swim harder and with a little more determination. Everyone is just worried about next year to see what will be cut."
Geraets said the referendum was a hot topic of discussion all day.
"It started at 7:40 when I got to school this morning and it hasn't ended," she said. "I think the disappointing thing is this is what a lot of people are passionate about, this is what we're really into."
MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.
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