Jacobs students and coaches urge district to add boys volleyball program

Jacobs High School students and staff asked the Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education on May 13 to authorize a boys volleyball program at the school, saying there is substantial student demand and modest start-up costs.

The request was made during the meeting’s public participation period by student Zachary Anderson and supported by Jacobs teachers and coaches who spoke afterward. Anderson said 37 male students responded to an interest form this week and pledged to try out if a team were offered. “We have talented, passionate athletes who want to represent their school and play,” Anderson said.

The student who introduced the idea framed it as both an equity and opportunity issue. “Boys at Jacobs High School are denied access to competitive volleyball while other schools have access,” Anderson said, citing Title IX and national participation trends. He asked the board to consider starting a program that would use existing girls volleyball equipment and add transportation, coaching and facility scheduling.

Two Jacobs staff members who identified themselves as coaches and teachers urged the board to move past perceived bureaucratic barriers. Kurt Dedick, a chemistry teacher and varsity girls volleyball coach at Jacobs, said he had repeatedly encountered inconsistent explanations for why boys volleyball is not offered. “Title IX is being misinterpreted as a requirement for equal numbers instead of equal opportunities,” Dedick said. He told the board it was common in other districts to offer boys volleyball even when participation numbers are not identical across genders.

Michael Depa, a math teacher and head girls volleyball coach at Jacobs, said collegiate scholarship opportunities provide additional rationale for a program. “Between NAIA and NCAA, more than $21,900,000 in athletic scholarships are awarded yearly to collegiate male volleyball athletes,” Depa said, asking the board either to approve a pathway or to provide a written rationale and steps the school community could follow to realize the program.

Board members did not take action on the request at the meeting. The public participation rules stated the board will not engage in back-and-forth during public comment and may assign follow-up to the superintendent or staff. The board’s next Operations Committee meeting on June 9 was mentioned by members as the usual venue for detailed program and budget discussion.

If the board directs staff to study the proposal, the likely next steps, as discussed by speakers, would include verifying facility availability, assigning coaching staff, confirming transportation costs and ensuring Title IX compliance.

Speakers: Zachary Anderson, student, Jacobs High School; Kurt Dedick, chemistry teacher and varsity girls volleyball coach, Jacobs High School; Michael Depa, math teacher and head girls volleyball coach, Jacobs High School; Board member (unnamed), Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education.

Nut Graf: Jacobs students and coaches presented evidence of demand (37 interested boys) and argued start-up costs could be low because girls volleyball gear could be repurposed; they asked the board to either authorize a team or provide a clear, written explanation of why it could not be added.

Discussion/Decision distinction: The presentation occurred during public participation (discussion only). No formal board motion or vote was taken on adding the sport; the board may route the request to staff or an operations committee for study.

Authorities referenced: Title IX (federal law) — cited by speakers as governing equal opportunity in educational programs receiving federal funds.

Clarifying details: 37 boys reported as willing to try out (reported by Zachary Anderson); coaches argued equipment could be reused from girls volleyball and cited needs for transportation and coaches; one coach cited an annual collegiate scholarship pool figure of about $21,900,000 (source: speaker Michael Depa). The board’s Operations Committee meets June 9 and is the customary venue for detailed follow-up.

Proper names: Community Unit School District 300 (CUSD 300); Jacobs High School; Title IX.

Community relevance: Affects Jacobs High School student-athletes and families; equity in athletics; potential scholarship paths for students.

Searchable tags: boys-volleyball, Jacobs-High-School, athletics-equity, Title-IX, student-voice.

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