High School Sports Cuts

[Vapoke]

What is happening in Wyoming? Is the legislature hell bent on cutting sports at UW and in the High Schools ranks?

Some recommendations in the article make sense on Scheduling Friday and Saturday. A big one that people have tried for is two classes for Wrestling in Wyoming so that one may finally get the traction.

Wyoming Prep Sports Could Soon Look Different After Funding Shakeup

Wyoming High School sports face tough cuts as funding drops from $46.3 million to $42.4 million, forcing potential changes to programs and activities vital for student engagement and local economies.

wyopreps.com

 

[LanderPoke]

Thanks freedom caucus !!!

 

[Vapoke]

Thanks freedom caucus !!!

I see John Bear is running unopposed in the Gillette again with his patsy down in Wheatland. Not sure Wyoming residents will ever learn to stop voting in carpet baggers.

 

[laxwyo]

I really don't understand why we have high school sports. I played legion baseball. Hockey is completely outside of the high school ecosystem. By the time kids are in high school, the ones with any talent are playing on traveling teams. Soccer has the Avengers and the high school soccer team stinks. I could easily be convinced its not in the purview of secondary education. Lets not act like its some kind of drastic idea not to have sports associated with the education system.

 

[Vapoke]

I really don't understand why we have high school sports. I played legion baseball. Hockey is completely outside of the high school ecosystem. By the time kids are in high school, the ones with any talent are playing on traveling teams. Soccer has the Avengers and the high school soccer team stinks. I could easily be convinced its not in the purview of secondary education. Lets not act like its some kind of drastic idea not to have sports associated with the education system.

I mean that is one take at it. Club sports are destroying youth sports in general because of costs. Somehow, Wyoming hockey has stayed relatively cheaper than other areas I have played and coached at. Though in those other areas kids are getting recruited to college and major juniors.

Legion baseball is not cheap I just looked at Laramie Rangers at it is a $1,750 registration fee. You want to give the youth activities outside of school and without sports you have youth sitting around and idle hands and minds generally does not do well for the community.

Counter-point is education and sports 100% go hand in hand when hiring new teachers/coaches form outside of 307. You can bring in better teachers if they are also good coaches in their respective sport.

 

[LanderPoke]

Is any activity not strictly education under the purview of secondary education?

 

[PAPoke]

I really don't understand why we have high school sports. I played legion baseball. Hockey is completely outside of the high school ecosystem. By the time kids are in high school, the ones with any talent are playing on traveling teams. Soccer has the Avengers and the high school soccer team stinks. I could easily be convinced its not in the purview of secondary education. Lets not act like its some kind of drastic idea not to have sports associated with the education system.

The argument that high school sports are obsolete because of the travel circuit overlooks the fundamental difference in why these programs exist. Club sports, whether it’s AAU, Legion, or high-level soccer academies, have increasingly shifted toward a "pay-to-play" business model. When major sponsorships and shoe deals become the driving force, the focus inevitably moves away from the average student and toward the elite few. It’s becoming a money grab that prioritizes exposure over development.

Scholastic sports are designed as a learning environment. This is especially true at the sub-varsity level, where the goal isn't just winning championships or securing scholarships, but teaching discipline, teamwork, and resilience within an educational framework. These programs provide a structured, safe space for students to grow during those critical hours after the school day ends. An argument can be made that this does not exist at all levels of high school sports, but by and large i thnk it still rings true.

As someone who works in sports, there is a significant security and accountability gap. The scholastic environment requires rigorous background checks, professional certifications for coaches, and institutional oversight that many private travel organizations simply don't match. Suggesting that we should move sports entirely out of the secondary education system is shortsighted because it ignores the essential role that regulated, education-based athletics play in student safety and character building.