South’s Athletes Decline in Number
Varsity girls getting ready during their last practice before the North/South game.
January 24, 2017
As a young athlete, I could not wait for high school sports. It all seemed so much bigger than me, like high school would be the peak of my life. Once high school finally hit, I realized that it wasn’t reality.
In recent years, the number of South High athletes has dropped. Whether the drop in numbers was significant or not, teams are losing value, and high school athletics are being deprived of meaning. Where has the meaning gone? Athletic Director Chris Hein shared his insight.
“When I think about girls’ basketball there is a trend statewide. Numbers in girls’ basketball are down statewide. I think part of that is due to the junior programs, and kids getting cut or not playing a lot.”
If the athletes aren’t being valued at a younger age, they then believe they aren’t good enough and in turn don’t continue in the sports the have a passion for. Skill is something that can be worked on and improved, but heart is something you either have or you don’t. Hein also said,
“I think another big thing for some sports is that club is taking over. Kids want to focus on just volleyball, so now they’re not going to go out for basketball.”
Hein also mentioned the conference South is a part of. For example, Preble has 1,100 more kids than we do, so in order to be successful, we have to go above and beyond the hard work Redwings put in already in order to beat them.
Junior Tessa Priebe explained a few things about her experience with high school sports. Priebe has played volleyball since she was in fifth grade, but she decided to go another way starting her junior year.
Priebe shared,
“I started playing volleyball in 5th grade, and was swimming on a club team for as long as I can remember. I started out at the YMCA on their club team. I stopped swimming in 7th grade to concentrate on volleyball, and I played volleyball Freshman and Sophomore year. I regretted not continuing swim. I lost my passion for volleyball, and would have gone further in swim then volleyball. I’m really happy with my decision and I love swimming!”
Junior Blake Posewitz also talked about why he decided to not go out for basketball after his freshman year.
“I wanted to focus on school because I realized that it was a lot more important than sports. Basketball was a year round sport and I couldn’t be able to give 100% to the team because I enjoyed other things too. Not playing basketball has allowed me to raise my grades, find new hobbies and has given me time to think about my future more seriously.”
There is no clear answer to this question for why the numbers in certain sports are declining. Our numbers are down, but our spirits are up, Go Redwings!
Michael Rank • Mar 13, 2017 at 9:07 pm
All do respect to everybody’s opinion on here, I’d like to address some of the issues mentioned above.
The 3pt Club is in incredible shape, we have a board that puts in more time and effort than any committee at South High School. I’ve seen it first hand. I recently stepped down from coaching to spend more time with my family. The program is in great shape and I am hoping the next coach will take it to another level. You can see what the 3Pt Club has all done in my four years at: http://www.redwingbasketball.net
The Fox River Classic Conference is NOT even close to what the Fox River Vally Conference was. Todays FRCC is extremely competitive and South High is one of the smallest schools enrollment wise. Adding Bay Port, Pulaski, De Pere, and Ashwaubenon, and losing West and East, makes every game very competitive. We are also dealing with many other factors at South, that we weren’t faced with 10 years ago. Many locals I talk to, didn’t even know we don’t have GB West and GB East in our conference anymore.
I cannot speak for soccer, out of my knowledge.
Losing middle sports back in the 80’s was a huge loss. The powers that be didn’t think it would have an effect the future of athletic programs in the high schools, but it has negatively hurt the programs for years and years. I have seen middle school student athletes shocked at having to practice 5 days a week, having to pass their classes, and balance it all together. It would be nice to have middle school students experience this accountability before they get to high school.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Rank
Class of 1993
Aaron levanduski • Feb 24, 2017 at 9:40 pm
The problem at Sheboygan South has nothing to do with “participation”. The area youth programs are doing fine. The problem is their is no progression at South. I know for soccer there is no off-season plan at all for those who want it. They are left to fend for themselves till the season starts. I understand off season shouldn’t be mandatory, but it certainly should be encouraged. You can’t compete at this level if you don’t work at all in the offseason. Losing isn’t fun. It just isn’t. Eventually they will give up. Coaches need to be held to a higher standard!! And that is why the #’s are dropping. The students have no faith in their coaches! Some of these kids want to play in college. Just because you don’t think it’s likely they will go pro doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the chance! North has a very strong program. And the area select teams are very good. South could compete with some effort. They put nothing into it and don’t care about their success level. So good players are going to North.
Kim Canisius-Hemsing • Jan 28, 2017 at 3:50 pm
Very sad to hear. All four of my sons were involved in South sports and as recent as 7 short years ago my youngest son, Christopher Hemsing played South Soccer and Basketball. The athletes were focused, invested and worked hard at their sports. They packed the Armory and Acuity Fieldhouse for all of their games. According to the article athletes numbers are declining and by the look of the crowds in the stands, those numbers have declined as well. I don’t know why and don’t have an answer but very sad to see this occurrence . It was an exciting, electric time during the course of all 16-ish years that our sons were involved. Maybe it is simply the sign of the times, but sad nonetheless.
Anne Schroeder • Jan 26, 2017 at 10:11 pm
I graduated from South in 1983, my children in 2013. There was no comparison, as South as lost almost all of its traditions. My children were not even aware there is a school song? Home coming parades and float building are non existent . I attended a pep rally where there were no cheerleaders. These things may not seem important but by participating they also show their pride. I was a member of the 3 Point Club for 4 years. It was a well run support group for the feeder program to the basketball team. I’m not even sure if it exists as the funds and savings that we had so proudly accumulated were misused. Whether it’s diversity, lack of interest or possibly the wrong people being put in charge of the programs, I am sad to say I hold very little pride for what has gone on at South since my husband abd I graduated. I hope the climate changes and that the administration can figure out how to get get the entire South high student body and staff back on board.