TheEgoHasLanded

GregC You do pay the same in dues...but you do not pay the same in gate money and playoff revenue. That is why the NCAA cracks down on the smaller schools but refuses to give the powerhouses like Alabama the death penalty even though they repeatedly violate rules.

Reasons private schools are winning... 1-better student participation rate. 2-year round weight lifting programs. 3-better facilities 4-more coaches, perhaps better coaches (the second is an opinion) 5-open zones I do not believe the first four are reason that you seperate the private schools. The public schools could match all of those things if they wanted to, they just choose not to, therefore I don't buy that claim. I've always said we do not give pity to small colleges who play D1 compared to bigger schools that play D1. The fifth reason, I include, not because I believe it is a absolute reason for privates winning (I actually think it is mostly the first reason). But public schools do not have that ability to get any player they want (unless you include Alcoa, Tyner, and all the Memphis City Schools) therefore it is a reason. There is nothing that can be done...if you split the private schools you still have those other schools with open zone access playing against you, and you will ask them to leave.

"But we are 20% of the menbers of the T$$AA (40% if 2A is included). " No you are not 20% of the TSSAA and you are not 40% of the TSSAA if you include 2A. You forgot about D2 and even if you actually did make up 40 percent of the TSSAA schools, you do not make up 40% of the actual student enrollment across the state! The 5A, 4A, 3A, D2-AAA, and D2-AA schools are larger and have more students, athletes, coaches, boosters, teachers, etc. A change like this affects them more than it does you because it affects more people. When you try and change a problem that affects only a handful of small schools, but "hurts" the rest of the association...I have a problem with that. Please do not think you are 20%, you aren't. The D2 schools are the ones who are really wanting the change...they want all those private schools to go D2, so traveling costs will go down, competetion will be better, and perhaps...they can all leave the TSSAA, they feel they are misrepresented...The D2 state championships don't even take place in Murfreesboro for football or basketball! So, Ego, and I'm asking, certainly not telling..... are you suggesting that nothing will be done? I'm not going to suggest anything. The TSSAA got embarrassed by the BA lawsuit and have to be careful what they do. They do not want to risk losing schools (BA tried to leave the TSSAA and get other schools to follow" The TSSAA cares least about the small rural public 1a schools. They are small, they are rural, and they are only 1A . All the other classes are much bigger with exception to probably D2 but D2 brings in so much money through football (MBA, best team in the state; BA also draws well). Also they know the D2 schools will easily leave if you upset them. I do not know what the future holds, I thought a split would come, but it didn't...so perhaps a multiplier, or perhaps nothing...I really don't care, I just get on here to clear the private school perception that some people have.

Well the TSSAA can not tell the Memphis City School Board how to run themselves... If your school is not 1A then it is 2A and many of the current 2A and 3A schools in Memphis would then drop down and eventually play your school...it almost seems as though you do not care about the Memphis schools because you don't have to play them at all since they are in a different classification? I know you aren't just looking out for you own school are you?

I know you don't really care about the small rural public schools,VG(and your buddy EGO) Don't make assumptions...I don't believe that small rural public schools should directly change the face of high school athletics in this state. For one very good reason...They are small! A split would change all of the public schools and D2 schools because of reclassification. Do you change the majority because of an outcry by a minority? Sometimes yes, but normally No.

Antwan, I would believe your statement "we don't want to play the privates because of their advantages" IF...some of the 1A and 2A schools didn't have the same advantages. Alcoa...Great school district, more football state championships than 95% of the teams out there...and oh yes, OPEN ZONED. Tyner...Magnet, free, great football team, best football player in the state in Demonte Bolden...OPEN ZONED. Someone also said that South Pitt is open zoned? I don't know, I've never been there, but if that is true, then you need to explain yourself. We could also talk about all the Memphis City schools such as Mitchell High School in AA. They went to the state championship last year, have a brand new school, great football coach (former U of M player) and great facilities...their coaches make more money than 95% of private school teachers...in fact the only two private schools who pay their teachers what the city school teachers make are Hutchison and MUS (both D2 schools!!!) Mighty Mighty Mitchell, Carver, and other really good 2A schools would move back down...it would just start all over...you'd be losing to schools that are open zoned.

Anderson just can't coach...he has more talent on that team than any other team possibly in the entire state! Ridgeway has great young talent in Mincy, Rice, and Niles...all three could go D1, and Henning is a much better coach, so I'd put them ahead of Hamilton. When you think of all the great players Hamilton has had lately...Paris London, Billy Richmond, Shawne Williams, Antonio Rambo...you scratch your head and wonder where the titles are. I would probably put Fairley ahead of Hamilton as well...that inside duo is tough to stop.

The fairest thing is to go to a multiplier just because private schools have two times the turnout that most public schools have...I buy that, I believe that is a valid reason, and therefore I support a multiplier, I just know that the cloudlands of the world will still not find "a whole new world." And if they think they will, they are wrong. Then they will complain about other schools having a larger enrollment. I am reminded of some old adages "the grass is always greener on the other side," and "you can't have your cake and eat it too." And I'd love to have you comment on that particular scenario, if you please; but it would probably take ten-plus years to level that particular playing field. I assume you are wondering about my comments involving a new D2 involving all private schools? The playing feel is not level now, with my school of 250 boys playing MUS, MBA, CBHS all of which having over 600 boys. Father Ryan is 1000 co-ed compared to the largest D2-AA school, Briarcrest, which has around 500 kids co-ed. If you move all of the private schools to D2...they will leave D2. They will have no representation and will want to make their own rules, keep their own money, etc. The TSSAA will lose a lot of their revenue which means the public schools will have to pay more money for referees, tournaments, possibly insurance, etc. Travel costs might also go up as well. Also, the privates will form their own by-laws. Recruiting could very well be legal under the new guidelines...Financial aide would certainly be present. You could have private school coaches banging on the door of stars offering them everything under the sun. Is that a little extreme? Yes, but I also know that if you have no rules...anything goes. They could take public school kids and have them start as soon as they started at a private school. I have played some of the current 1A private schools...they would get it handed to them in some sports...JCS, Ezell, and a few other 1A privates had a very tough time with my high school. I think they would do well, but they would not be willing to offer as much financial aide as some of the other schools (which is really unfair) and opens up even more problems for the TSSAA. By moving to a multiplier, you affect, 1A, 2A, 3A, and possibly 4A and 5A. A split affects every party involved. When you think of those scenarios, you can see why the TSSAA was not in favor of a change (not only that, they don't want the privates to leave, which is what BA tried to do a while back).

20% That means 1 basketball player out of 5. And two guys on the football field out of 11... Gosh!!! That is really troubling. I doubt those 20% are always on the court or on the field much less all-state players...

I know the Memphis city schools recruit and I can't prove that...nor am I asking for changes...what is your point The Memphis City Schools are open enrollment I would like to quickly run down some of the schools in Memphis and some of the great high school players. Melrose-Cedrick Wilson 49ers, Dewayne Robertson UK and the Jets, Ellix Wilson UT, Kindal Moorehead Bama Hamilton-Paris London Memphis, Shawne Williams Memphis, Will Smith Colorado White Station-Robert O'Kelley Wake Forest, Dane Bradshaw UT, Jonathan Ball Ridgeway- Pierre Niles, Jordan Mincy, Michael Rice All of these kids are great players... many of whom do not live in the district...Michael Rice used to go to White Station, Mincy used to go to Briarcrest, Will Smith lived about 45 minutes from the city of Memphis and went to Hamilton. These kids are out of zone, and probably talked to a coach before going to the particular school they go to, but I do not complain, nor do I care... The reason I don't..is because it's not about winning... (My school is personally affected by some of these individuals btw)

krichunaka - I didn't know you had kids, I have no idea how old you are, what you do, who you are etc...I've only seen your posts for the last week, I don't get on here as much as I used to. I'm not talking about your kids. By kids I'm talking about the rural 1A kids, I thought you were trying to compare there lives to the kids in Memphis...someone said they didn't know who their parents are, which is very sad, but I still do not think the hardships in East TN can be compared to Memphis. Even if it can, it still is not relevant to this discussion, unless you are talking about economics and I'll give the same response I gave before... "That is not the private schools fault that 1a schools do not have money." The Yankees do not get punished because the Mets, or whatever team you want to insert, do not have as much money as the Yankees. UT does not get punished because their athletic budget is more than the University of Memphis. Nor does Memphis or the Mets get a break because they have less money...all of these teams play each other. Just so everyone knows... I'm not trying to preach to anyone, but I do not want to hear this "woe is me attitude" which is what I thought I was hearing...If I wasn't then thats fine. I went to a D2 school, I could care less what you all do, but you guys think that you have it worse than just about anyone...when you all should be blessed to be playing. I've said it many times and I'll say it again...My school has about 250 boys, we play MBA (Best football team in the state) and they have 700 boys...we play them in all sports but basketball...their facilities, tution, coaches (they have all american Jeff Rutledge as their coach) far surpass ours...I don't complain...and I'm not going to listen to other people complain when they are going against schools that have the same size.

I work in orange mound every day of the summer...my dad lived there till about 76... You're right, I didn't live there in 73, I lived there in 2003, which is still oftly dangerous... I also work in an area called Vodoo village, which is probably giving it more credit than it deserves...I usually leave these places by 7am cus of how dangerous they are. I'm not comparing the incomes of the two (O.C. and East TN), but if you want thats fine... Compare the safety of the two... The Commercial Appeal did an article about some of the schools such as Memphis East, and the children that go there. 73% are given a free lunch every day cus their parents can't afford it...It's pretty bad here, and the whole point is, they ain't complaining, even though they do go against schools such as Maryville, Hillsboro, and other 4A schools whose incomes are much higher than the actual city of Memphis. These kids ain't complaining...

Very well put, EGO. I agree that South Florida will do real good "real fast." And that's precisely my point: The fact that schools are located in certain places, and have the availability of money, students, facilities, etc.... that's exactly why they can be not only good, but very good, "real fast." The point is you're saying the same thing the rural publics have been "complaining" about for several years now. And you're right, they (we) are complaining. But to clarify what you say you "don't understand:" Your suggestion that smaller public schools who many of them are about as good as they're going to get; that they should simply "choose not to compete." Which is the brunt of the "complaint." They simply cannot get as good as those of much higher means and standards. What you seem to really be saying is: They aren't good enough. Leave them out of the sport. Other than allow them to play for championships.... on a fair and balanced playing field. And by the way, they do want to compete. And it's arrogant to even suggest that any team, simply because they don't rise to the level of the more privileged privates, shouldn't be allowed to play... that's quite aloof. Oh, and to Volunteer General: The key word you used was; "FORCED." Again, more arrogance. krichunaka- If you are going to say some schools will do better because of where they are located (a fact that I agree with) then I will say that Memphis should be dealt with harshly...Memphis has the best athletes throughout the state...Look at the kids that go on to play D1 sports, and I would bet that Memphis has as much or more than anyone else...Shawne Williams is the best basketball player in the city, White Station is the best basketball team. The best baseball player last year was Stuart Pomeranz, I believe he was drafted in the first round...Matt Cain from Houston High School also went first round, we could then talk about NY Jets first round pick Dewayne Robertson, 49ers wide receiver Cedric Wilson, and many other great football players from Memphis... We do not however, reward or punish Memphis for it's location and abundance of talent...just as we do not reward or punish private schools for their location, abundance of talent...or even open zones. I'm not saying that public schools shouldn't compete...I'm saying they shouldn't complain, and if they do not have the facilities, coaches, athletes, teachers, or anything else...then leave. Leave the TSSAA. SBEC left the MPSSA and went to the state championship in D2-A the last two or three years and won it this year...they are located in Southaven, MS...which obviously is not in TN. The board deceided that there is no need for a split, and if you apply a multiplier that is fine, but you will then be playing schools like Huntindon, Tyner (who has the best football player in the state and has open zones...oh lala), Alcoa (a great tradition) and many other AA powerhouses...I don't think the grass will be greener in this case.

Umm ok... St. Johns doesn't play them in football, and isn't a football playing member, not because they aren't good, but because they aren't Division 1... They might not even have a team period, I'm really not sure. If they were D1 I'm sure they would be in it. Perhaps your public schools that are struggling should just drop the sport instead of complaining, If you can't compete in terms of numbers, money, coaching, facilities, then you probably should think about dropping or not having a team...thats what St. Johns did. As far as UCONN--They've only had a Division 1 team for about 2 years, they just now went D1 in football...of course they aren't going to be good for awhile, the point is, they tried to get better. They built a 90 million dollar stadium (part of the reason they are suing Miami) to boost their program up. I wouldn't be surprised if soon they become pretty good in football. University of South Florida recently went D1 in football (about 2 or 3 years ago) and because of where they are located, have the chance to get good real fast...last season they weren't eligible to go to a C-USA bowl, but they had a great record versus current CUSA teams and if they had been eligible, they would have gone. Uconn chose to play Miami, Vtech and other schools like BC, they didn't wimp out...and they didn't complain...I don't understand where you are going with that argument, perhaps the public schools should either upgrade their facilities (which is what Uconn did) or simply choose not to complete (which is what St. John's did) I think you kinda proved our point.

Where did you learn they get 20% out of county? How far out of county? Are these schools directly on the outskirts of the county...or are they strategically placed in the middle of the zone. For the most part, JCS has struggled in football...they did win it this year, but to compare them in football to USJ is probably not a fair comparison year in and year out.

Why does it matter if it has to do with 1A? Do you only care about 1A schools! Mitchell is AA, Ridgeway was AAA, and Maryville was AAAA. Only talking about 1A is stupid because there are many schools that will get affected, plus the D2 schools. Your actual post is not stupid, I'm sorry if thats what you thought I was saying.

They voted in the best way they could...their vote also reflected how the schools across this state wanted.

just making an argument doesnt make it credible. HAHAHA you are right lazarus, the TSSAA board agreed with Volgen and Me...it seems that your argument wasn't credible. krichunaka- I missed the part, where it was the private schools problem that your kids do not work out year round...perhaps this is why private school supporters say you should work harder? Don't even go in to this thing about not knowing who your parents are...I've lived in Memphis, TN for 20 years and every day I see worse things then most people around this state have even thought about. I've been within a birds eye view of Kingsbury, Melrose, and many other schools...I've been offered drugs, sex, and 19 inch color tv's for 20 bucks...I've almost gotten robbed numerous times...Don't ever, EVER! make it seem like you and your kids don't have it good compared to other kids in this state...I live in East TN, there is a HUGE difference between the two. Everyone here should be thankful for what they have... (including coachT.com) perhaps it is not a private-public issue, but a rural-metro issue, or a financial issue, or an open/ closed zone issue (which is what I think it is).

Yes there are a few in 1A. Mitchell High School, which has a brand new High School, went to the state championship last year against Lipscomb and went to the final four in basketball...no one says anything. Alcoa is open zoned, which I believe finished in the top 4. Maryville is open zoned, and one could make a case they have been the best team in the state three out of the last four years. Ridgeway is open zoned and they won two out of the last three state championships in basketball, and last years state championship in AAA for football. The complaining is stupid, when you think about how many schools have open zones that are public or magnet.

White Station is the best school for basketball and it is public... Where is the advantage at? Compare them to MBA, who is downright pathetic, yet probably has around the same amount of boys...both schools have open enrollment, and MBA has better facilities... What is your rebuttal for that? We can also talk about baseball...two schools, Houston and Farragut come to mind...which were better last year than any other private school... I'm not saying publics are always better than privates, or vice versa... P.S. I respect your post, I enjoy talking to people that are as professional as you, I do not make many posts on here because people get personal...keep writing the way you are, and you will get a lot of respect, from those who agree, and disagree with you.

I'm all for a multiplier for open zoned schools...I have seen schools use that to their advantage for years...I'm not going to lie, WSHS and Ridgeway benefit from open zones... Pierre Niles a sophomore who was invited to the Nike Camp was supposed to go to Briarcrest after going to Tredwell and Westside last year, he is now at Ridgeway. Do you honestly think he just walked in there without talking to Coach Henning at all? Would you do that if you were him? RHS is a very good team already with Jordan Mincy and Michael Rice, I'm sure he wondered about playing time or if there was a spot on the team for him. Put a multiplier on them if you want (I honestly could care less what they do, I root for D2 schools) but if you do that, then you are going to put some of those AA schools back in with the A schools...pick your poison.

You wouldn't believe it...but there are several thousands of kids whose parents do not pay taxes because they can't afford it, yet still get to go to schools because of my tax dollars. That is, a free education for them. In fact, I read just yesterday how all Memphis City Schools must have internet connections in every school and I thought to myself how lucky these kids have it compared to some counties in the state of TN. I'm not complaining about it, because I think it is the right thing to do, and I also believe that it will help the economy eventually. Perhaps you would like to address my two previous posts, instead of picking out one line and trying to question it.

I like how you respond to one of the several points I made that disagree with you. My parents sent me to a private school, not because they wanted me to have an advantage, but because they didn't want me to get shot! The city schools in Memphis are nice, but there are more problems there, then at the typical private school. I went to a church of christ school...I'm not C of C. For college, I go to UTK. Which is a public institute and two semesters at UTK are still less expensive than at my high school. Kids go to private schools for a variety of reasons... 1-religion 2-safety 3-education 4-athletics (that same point can be said for public schools) 5-location (same point can be used for public schools) 6-forced to go...if you are the son or daughter of a worker at a private school, many times the schools ask that your child go to their school. There are many other reasons that you go to a private school...a free education, is a reason you go to a public school.

You're right, Privates do not get special ed kids. We also don't get athletic funding, or money to pay our teachers and coaches from the state of TN. We have to raise it, stop your complaining, you get a free education I don't know why that doesn't sink in for you. Get rid of the Maryville's and the Alcoa's the Memphis Mitchell's, the Westside's, Tredwells, Tyner's and all the other schools that have open enrollment. The best football player in the state goes to a Magnet school...He doesn't go to a private school he goes to a school that is treated like a private except it is free! The best basketball player in the state, Shawne Williams, goes to a school that has open zones. No one else complains about this but you! The best basketball team over the last three years is White Station High School...they also don't have zones...no one is complaining about any of this, cus it isn't as big of an advantage as you make it out to be. The reason that WSHS is so good is because Terry Tippett for WSHS is one of the best coaches in the entire state. They have some of the best facilities, and some of the best academics anywhere in the country! It has nothing to do with the fact that they have open zones...every school in Memphis has open zones! Just because a school has open zones doesn't make them good...especially when you add to the fact you have to pay several thousands of dollars each year! Get rid of those zones, and then you can complain, until then, your argument (which was shot down a few weeks ago across the state) just doesn't hold water.

The best sophomores are: Brandon Wright Pierre Niles...I have personally seen Memphis coaches looking at him as well as ASU, Murray State, etc Thad Young...The sky is the limit for this kid, I think he is a better player actually than BWright just because he is playing much better competetion and eventually it will pay off...his dad was a professional and is teaching this kid a lot...I really like watching him play.