classB4ever wrote:heimer wrote:I no longer advocate a three class system.
The system is fine. These are the best teams we have. It's what we do.
Wow. Have had many a debate with you over the years on this site. Have always enjoyed your input.
However, it seems that your change in scenery has also changed your mind on a number of things.
You were once a strong advocate for a "look" at 3-classes (while in VC). Now your opposed. Is it safe to say you jumped the fence? At VC, you pushed for 3 classes to become the big "school" on the block. Now, moving to a different area and being the big school on the block, changes your mind on 3 classes? This makes me believe you are a bit self serving or even slightly hypocritical.
May I ask what changed your mind if it's anything other the change in scenery?
First, understand that my kids don't go to school in Thompson. I have no idea what interest I'd be serving.
But, you're right to an extent. I have changed. But it is not the change of scenery. It's time, and the change if dynamic in the game.
Time: I gave up. The time was when I was active. Regions have 13 teams. They used to have 18. That loss has basically ended any hope of three classes. Its over, and I no longer care to even have the debate. Much like the seeding issue, it's clear that every school is only out for their own, and that's the problem with the inmates running the asylum.
Second, if we are to have the debate, we have to freely acknowledge the heavy lifting. In 2008, VC was the heavy lifting. Back then, I think schools had some fear of 360 kids invading their region. I don't think they fear that anymore. They would probably even tolerate taking VC as a B team with that enrollment cutoff move.
The heavy lifting is the private school issue, and we can't handle it because the privates hide at the B level and dont do what they should.........
Which, I might add, is not to play A, but to advocate for a system that allows them to compete with the advantages they have, without taking a hit from the disadvantages they would have against Minot and West Fargo. That is a small third-class that cuts a narrow middle.
One kid my friends that coaches at a Region I school told me the last three-division proposal, considered last year, did nothing to address the privates. The NDHSAA is afraid of the 1.4 lawsuit, so progress will never happen.
So, yes, I've changed. At some point, when you're a captive, you make your peace and move on. I don't know where my kids will end up in school, our life plan isn't set. My daughter is in an all-star cheer program, and loves it so much that it will likely be her "sport". Its year-round, so there's doubt she will reap the advantages of being at a larger B school. My sons physical makeup due to his premature birth will limit him to likely a wrestling career. His right eye has very poor vision, with little chance of improvement, so depth percetion, for things like basketball or baseball, will be difficult for him. Long story short: my personal life will be largely unaffected by two or three classes.
As for my professional life, when someone beats Grand Forks Central in hockey, let me know. Basketball is just one of the things I do. I will miss the semis and finals of Region II and the state A this week, as Ill be in St Paul for Minnesota hockey.
There is nothing for me to gain with either the status quo or change. I would absolutely support change, but I won't advocate for change. Did what I could. Time to move on.
God is bigger than football.