I am an optimist.   Always have been.  So, when I say that in some areas it may be too late to save high school sports, that is hard to accept.

Ten years ago, I predicted that over time, high school sports would be pushed out of the school budgeting process.  Parents, coaches, athletic directors and principles all said I was nuts.  I hoped so.

For years, there was no significant pressure or threat to school sports from district budgets.  I observed the custs to music and the arts, but I can't draw and my kids isn't interested in choir.  However, in the last two years and even more so in the last six months, the threats to school sports, music and the arts are coming fast on a scale that can't be overcome with candy bars or washing cars.

We publish "In the News" articles from around the US reflecting the various states of school sports funding.  What I don't publish are the comments below those articles from local residents.  I am surprised by the range of comments lamenting the loss of district funding and those advocating that sports must go before teachers or core curriculum. 

Those supporting sports in schools point to character and leadership development, higher grades, lower pregnancy and dropout rates, etc.  Those against sports in schools mention that education should focus on life-long learning and skills and only a minimal number of students continue sports after graduating from high school.  There is a perceived value difference between “curricular” and “extra-curricular”.

Although I didn't anticipate that the ACLU would be a catalyst to the sports funding dilemma, the main points in my case have proven to be right on target.  And, I'm not interested in the political or politically correct reasons for school sports to stay in the budget or for them to be eliminated from the budget.  It is what it is... or is going to be.

In California, the state has been in financial trouble for years, but it is reaching a critical state and school budgets are not exempt to cuts.  With the ACLU/California decision in December of last year, there is an immediate change to budget assumptions that force hard decisions in the next two years that might have been out five or more years before. 

Florida is right behind California dealing with school sports funding and several other states are sounding alarms.  No matter how comfortable you may be that school sports are safe in your state or school district, if the ACLU chooses to sue your state next over pay-to-play policies, things can change in an instant.

The real point is that over time booster clubs will be paying 100% of the cost of school sports: equipment, uniforms, fields and gyms, coaches, travel, officials, etc.  It they were proud to raise $1,000 last year, next year their task could be $20,000.  And across all the booster clubs in a single high school, the amount could be $100,000 or even $200,000.

Booster clubs can't ramp up that fast.  For a booster club to raise $100,000 takes organizational maturity, an annual fundraising strategy, new partners, new fundraising events and campaigns, technology, marketing... and people.  Reliable people with plenty of time to volunteer, the right skills and unbelievable political connections.  And no life.

If you are considering becoming a Sportzine Publisher in California or Florida, begin today and you have a long sprint ahead of you.  If you are in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, North Carolina or some other states where the impending cuts are only a crisis, you need to begin today but you can rest between sprints. 

If you are in a school district where it is a topic at school district meetings but it never comes to a vote, then you can get out in front of the need and as the funding drys up, your contributions can contribute to the solution.  It is later than you think because once you can see it coming, you get to be like California and Florida very fast.  Too fast to start from scratch and be a meaningful partner in the solution.

Sportzine Publishers cannot "save" school sports by ourselves.  However, we can be a significant part of the solution and they can’t make it without the high value fundraising features of a Sportzine.  If your Sportzine makes a 20% or even 30% impact that means contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars back to the athletes and their sports, music and arts programs. 

The traditional, tax-payer funding for school sports has worked for one hundred years, but the rules don;t work anymore.  It is time to Change the Game, change the rules and a new partner is required to provide solutions not even on the table today.

As a Sportzine Publisher, you can be the difference.  A hometown hero.