WPIAL executive director Tim O'Malley is meeting with high school principals, athletic directors and football coaches at Elizabeth Forward tonight to discuss the movement toward a six classification-system for PIAA football. Another meeting takes place Thursday at North Allegheny.
Many in the WPIAL is opposed to the idea. Many outside the WPIAL are in favor.
The Observer-Reporter recently did a story on the topic. To read,
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/04-11-09-scholastic-notebook
If the PIAA Board of Control approves the third and final reading, the WPIAL will be faced with a decision. Will it withdraw from the PIAA for football or not?
I've spoken with a number of coaches and athletic directors about six classes. There are several who are strongly opposed, a couple who don't care much either way and many want the move to happen.
9 comments:
This clearly is a move to appease the teams from Philadelphia and Eastern PA. The WPIAL does not need the PIAA and should drop out. 5 classifications maybe but 6but 6 is ridiculous. How can the WPIAL have playoffs and a legitimate champion in 6A with only 11 teams and between 20-22 in the other classifications except AA with 27. This is a foolish & greedy move by CASHmen.
I agree, having 6 classes for high school football is a stupid idea.
I can only think that this change is being proposed to appease the large schools in the eastern part of the state. I cannot even fathom how far some of the larger schools will travel just to complete their schedules. If the PIAA stays true tp form, they will probably split the 6A schools into two sections with 6 schools in one and 5 in the other.Then they will let 4 schools from each section qualify for the playoffs. The more big schools, the more money made.I think all WPIAL schools should withdraw from the PIAA and just have thein own championships, like it used to be.
I don't think most coaches huge egos will ever let this happen.
One last comment. Butler High School has the largest enrollment in the WPIAL with over 1,000 male students in grades 9-11. When was the last time Butler was a champion in any sport. I guess big is not always better.
Isolationism isnt necessarily the answer either. I understand the arguments for and against this. If you pull District 7 out of the state you are depriving all of those schools and those kids of competing for a state title. Do you think TJ, Gateway, Central Catholic and others give a crap about a District 7 championship? And yes I am referring to the "WPIAL" as District 7 because, in case some of you forgot, they are a District of the PIAA and the State of Pennsylvania. It doesnt do any school district or any player any good in District 7 to be isolated on an island away from all of the other teams in the state. Its ridiculous. District 7 is not the end all/be all of high school sports. Competing on the state level for teams like TJ, like Clairton, like Aliquippa or Jeannette, like central and gateway give them and their players the exposure that they need and/or deserve.
Why not do away with District 8? Why not expand D-7 to pull teams from D-10 and D-5? Look at all the teams in AA in D-7...they have too many and need to be split. How about putting the catholic schools together in one class?
Now, all of this said, i dont necessarily agree with going to 6 classes. Remove Philly and Pittsburgh and look at some of the smaller districts in the state...that would be ridiculous for them. I dont know what the answer is, but i know its not trying to turn D-7 into North Korea and isolating ourselves from the rest of the state...
If they pull out in football, will the PIAA also shut them out in other sports as well?
That's a card the PIAA could play.
You ready to give up PIAA wrestling, baseball and basketball all for the sake of a district championship?
Any news on the football coach at Wash High?
It seems to be a mystery to all in Washington. I hope it is worth all the effort.
They will probably hire a teacher and it will be a waste of time.
Frank Zebrasky
I am sure you are joking!
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