Back to the original point of this discussion. Sportsfan02 - It's best for me to agree to disagree with your opinion on this subject. The points you have mentioned are reasonable, but I yet to understand how those points carry enough weight for Kansas to have such a rule.
#1 --- Yes the purpose of public schools is to educate. This does not tread water in my eyes. Why have sports programs at all if this is the sole reason. Secondly, as stated previously, I am a mother of a middle school student who does not wrestle for the middle school. As a parent, if his grades were not to par, he certainly would not be participating in wrestling. In reality, he has been forced to manage his time wisely knowing that he only has a span of about 1.5 hours to complete homework before trotting off to wrestling practice from 6-8:30. TIME MANAGEMENT has been taught through wrestling. Whereas --- school practice are from what time --- 3:00 to 5:00. Probably not much of a TIME MANAGEMENT skill required there. Furthermore, I'll put my son's 3.98 GPA and academic honors against those of the same grade in the state.
Point #3
We as a family was forced to make the decision this year with regards to competing for the shcool vs club as a middle school student. I infact called our HIGH SCHOOL coach for his opinion. I quote, "IF IT WERE MY SON, I WOULD WRESTLE NATIONALLY." Please keep in mind, there are some athletes that are willing to commit and ready to compete at that level AND there are some that are not. Again the decision lies with the athlete and the parents. Each of our children are unique and we as parents, coaches, students, and athletes should be able to make the decision based on the circumstances. The state should not DICTATE the can and cant's over this subject.
Leaving wrestling alone --
It is ludricous that my son can not participate in a CHURCH Fundraising basketball tournament because he plays on the VARSITY basketball team at school. What is the logic here? If you throw up the "injury" argument, I'll scream. You can get injured walking out the door and tripping down the steps. You can be injured shooting baskets in the drive way. Does the state law also state they can not shoot basketballs in their own drive way while they are participating in High School basketball???
If this law also applies to scholarly things in school as well...If Joe builds a robot for the science fair in his Enrichment Program (Gifted Program) to be held this Saturday at the school, but finds out there is a National competition (not sponsored by the school) the same Saturday in Washington DC. Does this mean he can not enter his robot at the National level? As a parent what would you honestly do???
