Two years ago MSHSAA was given a proposal from the MOFBCA on how to better address the inequality between classes in football. The FBCA presented a first draft as to which MSHSAA said “NO” there will be only 32 schools in Class 6. I would assume that is because they already broke Class 5 in half years ago and created Class 6 due to “INEQUALITY”. I mean, realistically how can a school of 1250 compete with a school of 2500 on a consistent basis. Honestly, that is apples and oranges. So a change was made and is still adhered to. The MOFBCA came back with numbers and research to support the plan of 32 schools in Class 6 and then equal distribution of 58-60 schools in each Class 1-5. This plan was not nor will ever be perfect for everyone, but it did address the issues of equity from class to class and lessened enrollment differential from bottom to top of classes. Provided some consistency.
MSHSAA put the proposal on the questionnaire last Spring, not the ballot, since it does not need to be voted on by member institutions. The vote was quite favorable. I would assume the no votes were the 69 schools in Classes 5 and 6 and those that are on the fringes of each class. Funny how people care more about their own story than the actual perpetuation of a sport and equity for all. The change was going to be planned for Fall 2018 to coincide with the new classification system of counting grades 9-11 and the release of districts after the first two weeks of season to insure teams “MAKE” for the season. (Both VERY GOOD ideas and solve problems) They have tabled the change after realizing that they might need to look at other sports as well. AD HOC Committee was formed, which means in MSHSAA timetables we might see change in 3-4 years. That was what it took to reach our current district and playoff format.
So we will continue to see the largest two classes in football with 32 teams in Class 6 and 37 teams in Class 5 have half as many teams to compete against for a championship, carry the lowest enrollment differential of all classes, play one less game and even incur a bye during the season. These are the same schools that have extensive rosters, more than three levels of football, two platoon on offense and defense, and have not just more football players that specialize in one sport, but more kids that specialize in just one sport in other sports as well. Now the news coming out of the AD HOC Committee and the pamphlet distributed from MSHSAA wants their MAGIC NUMBER in enrollment differential to stay under 2.0. So I am to understand that we don’t want a class to have more than twice the lowest schools’ enrollment. But MSHSAA is throwing out the outliers for the count, Class 1 and Class 6? If Classes 1-4 can be at 2.0 or close to it why can’t classes 5 and 6? Currently Class 6 is 1.43 and Class 5 is 1.31 and Class 1 is 2.24, Class 2 is 1.71, Class 3 is 1.75, and Class 4 is 1.83. So if we took Class 5 years ago and split it to give us Class 6 and add a class because 2.0 was INEQUITABLE, then why is it ok to be that or close for everybody else? Sounds like VOODOO math and POLITICS to me. The top two classes, 69 schools are favored over the remaining 256. Don’t want to see the 256 favored over the 69. How about they all operate under the same rules.
It is January! Yes, things should be evaluated for all sports. I am just commenting on football since it is the one I have followed most closely. Get it fixed! Get to work and get it done. No, let’s wait and keep it wrong. This is where people come out of the wood work and talk about get better, no excuses, and teams winning or losing. I will get the “WHAAA” and crying noises, and teary-eyed emoji’s and fans in big schools will get mad because I speak against their gravy train. Not against them, just want to see some changes that benefit MOST. I don’t care that Lamar, Webb City, Valle Catholic, and CBC win every year. They are better than everybody else and just keep proving it. Good for them! I could care less about the public vs. private argument. I could care less about how many contact days there are in the Summer. Let’s start changing and caring about things that matter and effect the most. There is no perfect system but it would just be nice to see a consistent system. You don’t wait to do things right! Get to work and figure it out. A lot of smart people just need to get it done and put POLITICS aside and make the decisions that those in leadership positions need to make. If that is, they really do want FAIR and EQUITABLE.
MSHSAA put the proposal on the questionnaire last Spring, not the ballot, since it does not need to be voted on by member institutions. The vote was quite favorable. I would assume the no votes were the 69 schools in Classes 5 and 6 and those that are on the fringes of each class. Funny how people care more about their own story than the actual perpetuation of a sport and equity for all. The change was going to be planned for Fall 2018 to coincide with the new classification system of counting grades 9-11 and the release of districts after the first two weeks of season to insure teams “MAKE” for the season. (Both VERY GOOD ideas and solve problems) They have tabled the change after realizing that they might need to look at other sports as well. AD HOC Committee was formed, which means in MSHSAA timetables we might see change in 3-4 years. That was what it took to reach our current district and playoff format.
So we will continue to see the largest two classes in football with 32 teams in Class 6 and 37 teams in Class 5 have half as many teams to compete against for a championship, carry the lowest enrollment differential of all classes, play one less game and even incur a bye during the season. These are the same schools that have extensive rosters, more than three levels of football, two platoon on offense and defense, and have not just more football players that specialize in one sport, but more kids that specialize in just one sport in other sports as well. Now the news coming out of the AD HOC Committee and the pamphlet distributed from MSHSAA wants their MAGIC NUMBER in enrollment differential to stay under 2.0. So I am to understand that we don’t want a class to have more than twice the lowest schools’ enrollment. But MSHSAA is throwing out the outliers for the count, Class 1 and Class 6? If Classes 1-4 can be at 2.0 or close to it why can’t classes 5 and 6? Currently Class 6 is 1.43 and Class 5 is 1.31 and Class 1 is 2.24, Class 2 is 1.71, Class 3 is 1.75, and Class 4 is 1.83. So if we took Class 5 years ago and split it to give us Class 6 and add a class because 2.0 was INEQUITABLE, then why is it ok to be that or close for everybody else? Sounds like VOODOO math and POLITICS to me. The top two classes, 69 schools are favored over the remaining 256. Don’t want to see the 256 favored over the 69. How about they all operate under the same rules.
It is January! Yes, things should be evaluated for all sports. I am just commenting on football since it is the one I have followed most closely. Get it fixed! Get to work and get it done. No, let’s wait and keep it wrong. This is where people come out of the wood work and talk about get better, no excuses, and teams winning or losing. I will get the “WHAAA” and crying noises, and teary-eyed emoji’s and fans in big schools will get mad because I speak against their gravy train. Not against them, just want to see some changes that benefit MOST. I don’t care that Lamar, Webb City, Valle Catholic, and CBC win every year. They are better than everybody else and just keep proving it. Good for them! I could care less about the public vs. private argument. I could care less about how many contact days there are in the Summer. Let’s start changing and caring about things that matter and effect the most. There is no perfect system but it would just be nice to see a consistent system. You don’t wait to do things right! Get to work and figure it out. A lot of smart people just need to get it done and put POLITICS aside and make the decisions that those in leadership positions need to make. If that is, they really do want FAIR and EQUITABLE.
