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Middle-school athletic directors report lower participation in some sports, urge outreach and equipment funding
Summary
Directors from Kaylor, Grimmer and Clark reported mixed results for fall athletics: some programs saw declines in participation (notably cross country at one school), others had strong turnout for football, and schools cited equipment needs and fundraising gaps.
Three Lake Central middle-school athletic directors told the board on Nov. 3 that participation trends vary by sport and school, with some programs seeing notable declines while others remain stable or grew.
Kaylor's director, Corey Ordellis, said participation was down this fall by "about 20" student-athletes overall and that cross-country numbers fell sharply at one school, from roughly 30 girls in prior years to under 20 this season. Ordellis and other directors suggested club sports and outside opportunities are drawing some athletes away from school teams.
Lisa Huguenard, Grimmer's director, reported stronger turnout in some programs: football fielded 44 players and cross-country and volleyball participation were steady. Huguenard said the school's finances were positive despite recent purchases: the program bought additional cheer competition mats and used an event-link mobile-payment option and food trucks this season, which she said increased gate and concessions revenue. Huguenard said some future purchases are planned (new basketball carts and other equipment) and that some funding will come from a local "Tony the Tiger" grant the program has access to.
Laurie Smith (Clark/Kaylor Falls) said cross-country participation was down for her school as well, and that some teams are on the younger side; she and other directors described efforts to recruit students, including coordination with high-school-led running clubs and Girls on the Run programs at elementary schools.
Board members asked whether booster clubs are active at the middle-school level; presenters said most middle schools do not have formal booster clubs and that parent groups and groups such as National Honor Society sometimes assist with concessions or fundraising.
Directors and board members discussed strategies to reduce financial barriers to participation. One board member offered to help sponsor students when needed; presenters said principals generally work to ensure students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch are not turned away from participation for inability to pay.
The athletic directors did not request board action beyond routine acknowledgement, but they emphasized ongoing equipment needs (uniform rotations, track hurdles, helmets, shoulder pads and volleyball net systems) and urged community outreach to boost middle-school participation.
