This column was originally published in the March 15 edition of The Journal-News
On Tuesday
night, the Litchfield school board had to make a decision that I wouldn’t wish
on my worst enemy. With the state of Illinois swirling further down the toilet,
the district continued to lack funds, meaning that jobs and programs would have
to be cut. It was the board’s job to figure out what and who made it through. In the end, 14
staff members, nine coaching positions, and 11 middle school and high school
extra-curricular activities didn’t survive the chopping block, including the
boys soccer, girls softball and both golf and cross country programs. My heart
goes out to those who lost their jobs, and I sincerely hope that some of those
positions will be reinstated.
As for the
athletic cuts, which hit hard for me, now is not the time to lament that they
are gone. Now is the time to figure out what to do next and how to somehow keep
these sports alive. Success isn’t
everything, but in recent years the programs that were cut have produced
regional champions (girls softball in 2011 and boys soccer in 2009 and 2010)
and state qualifiers (Victoria Quarton in cross country and Brandon Stieren in
golf just to name a couple). While those successes will always be a part of the
school’s history, if these programs don’t continue, they will always be a
bittersweet memory of what Litchfield once had.
The cuts at the
middle school level will also have a big effect on the high school teams. I
would think that football should be fine, considering that the JFL Titans
thrived before the school took over the program a few years ago. But wrestling
and volleyball could take a major step back. The success of
the middle school wrestling program, which has sent kids to the state
tournament each of the last 12 years, has had a direct effect on the success of
the high school wrestling program, which has been one of the best in Class A in
the state. As for
volleyball, the high school program won its first regional game since 2005 and
has increased its win totals each of the last four seasons. Without the middle
school program, which was coached by high school head coach Gena Elliott and
Jennifer Ruschhaupt, that step forward could be followed by several steps back
if future players don’t get to learn the fundamentals at a younger age.
When it comes
down to it though, the true value of these programs isn’t measured in wins and
losses, but in how they affect a student’s life. I recall Terry Todt saying at
an MTXE check presentation that not all learning is done in the classroom.
Sometimes it’s done on a playing field. Sports are not
the end all, be all, for high school, but they can be a valuable tool to teach
responsibility, accountability, teamwork, leadership and numerous other traits
that can be helpful in the real world.
Personally, I
have many fond memories of the sports that were cut, in particular the boys
soccer program. In 2009, I watched as Dylan Treece netted a game tying goal
that went off either Travis Blom’s head or Metro-East Lutheran keeper Chris
Fulkerson’s hand to send the rain soaked game to overtime, where it ended with
a Devon Fenton goal in the final 30 seconds. Not only was that game one of the
best I’ve seen in my time at the paper, but it was also the wettest I’ve ever
been with clothes on and resulted in me needing to replace my waterlogged cell
phone. Moments like
that 2009 game and Devin Brakenhoff’s go-ahead goal in the final two and a half
minutes of the regional title game against then-undefeated Lincolnwood are the
things I will remember about Litchfield soccer whether last year was the final
one in the program's history or not.
But my hope is
that it will be back, along with the rest of the programs and jobs that were
cut on Tuesday, however unlikely that may be. While I may not
be able to help out much financially (most of my disposable income will be heading
to a college fund for our daughter Grace), hopefully I can lend a hand someway
to ensure that when fall and spring come around next year I will be watching
the Panthers on the pitch, on the course, and on the diamond.
Nice blog Kyle. I am hoping that some funding will find its way to Litchfield and that a couple of these programs can be restored. Like you said, kids who participate in sports learn so many life lessons that will help them in HS, college, their first job, I could go on and on. In addition, sports are so important to the community. Someone looking to raise a family will look at more than the educational opportunities provided but also the sports programs and the opportunities they can provide. Hopefully, the school board, LHS administration and the Litchfield community can work together to provide our students and children with a balance of education and athletics.
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