LaSalle Lions 1976

I'm curious how other states "make it fair". I know this isn't the most reliable state but Indy metro is 2.1 million. Next biggest is Fort Wayne at 418,00 Illinois is worse with Chicago at 9.6 million. Next biggest is Peoria at 400,000. I bet there are other states that have bigger gaps. I know Chicago had it's "Chicago Bowl' to determine city champ years back. I don't think you could ever make the tournament fair, no matter what you do. I just think there are some schools who aren't very committed to football and never will be.

The one thing you know for sure is that these coaches won't end up in South Bend, Gary, or Hammond.

Jeeze...you all are ruining my Festivus

One reason that hasn't been talked about is the lack of quality coaching, especially in lower income urban schools. I have seen coaches desperate to find coaches, especially at the lower levels. Some haven't even played football. I have seen no teaching on how to block or tackle. This is the real issue, training of our lower level coaches. If the school can't find qualified coaches, then they should suspend their program until the get qualified coaches. That is the elephant in the room.

Clay will never be contracted. The South Bend schools do not want to give up another building to the charter schools. However, I do believe some schools should be relegated to a lower class.

One thing that hasn't been discussed is the environment and culture of school administration when it comes to competing. All schools want to win, but some won't pursue the resources needed to win. Many adults don't wish to put the time and effort into what is needed to win. They love have the shirt on Friday, but not willing to put in the effort the other days of the week. Many kids have other things in their lives competing with football. Many do not want to "waste" their time not being properly prepared for the games. You can't fool kids, and many of them leave.

Both...usually the best athletes don't have the grades to participate, and transferring is a common activity amongst all South Bend School students

Getting back to the theme of this topic, I think there are a lot of reason numbers are down, but the two that seem the biggest to me are eligibility and just not wanting to play. In South Bend, basketball is king. Everyone looks forward to it, good crowds, and good competition. In football, small crowds, most students are there to socialize not paying attention to the game. I don't think football will be a thing in South Bend. Since contraction is not on the board, South Bend will have 4 struggling programs.

As a side topic: In the 1966 MLB Draft (first ever), three Indiana High School players were drafted 12th round Larry Bishop C by the California Angels from Indianapolis Howe 9th round Dan Bootcheck P by the Detroit Tigers from Michigan City (I think his grandson also played for the Angels as well) 4th round Karl Simon OF by the Chicago White Sox from South Bend Central

St. Joe's issue is far different. Their feeder, the ICCL, has been struggling. There was no football in 2020. They are struggling to have 4 teams every season. The better teams also feed into Marian.

I thought South Bend Turned a corner back in the 80s when they moved junior high football to the spring. There were able to get much better coaching. That being said, it is very difficult to find quality coaches to coach at that level. There is no youth football league, so instruction comes at the very basic level. I agree with X that there are more problems than football in South Bend Schools. I believe that South Bend, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and Indianapolis are the only districts with at least 4 high schools and they are have at least one successful program every season. Maybe we need to reach out to them.

In South Bend, the City government and the school board aren't associated. Although efforts are being made.

All South Bend schools shut out this week. Things must get better. The coaches are coaching, and the players are playing. Knowing that there is no consolidation in the near future, what steps do the 4 schools need to take to get better.

Mr. Spicer was probable a straight on kicker. Awesome

Maybe they have trouble getting teams to play them...can't have too many bye weeks in a season