The winter sports season in underway at Dorchester High School and all across our great state.
Last night, the new-and-improved Dorchester Longhorns
boys team lost their season opener at home -- in The Corral -- falling to a
solid Diller-Odell squad by 47-35. The
Lady Longhorns lost to Diller-Odell 49-21.
We were very impressed by the loud DHS crowd at both games last
night, as well as the efforts put forth by the student athletes.
We see much brighter days ahead for the
Dorchester athletic programs and we tip our black-and-orange hats to those
students (and coaches and parents) who are giving their all to represent their
school. In a few more years, with hard work and dedication, DHS may very well be one of the better sports programs around, especially with added competition with Milford students.
But for now, it's time we give credit where credit is due. It's time to reward our student athletes.
Consider that compared to 20 years ago in Nebraska...
Consider that compared to 20 years ago in Nebraska...
* about 2200 fewer boys participate in high school
football.
* more than 2000 fewer girls play volleyball in high
school.
* more than 800 fewer girls go out for high school
basketball.
* more than 1100 fewer boys go out for high school
basketball.
This information was provided to the Times by the Nebraska School Activities Association.
The decline in athletic participants comes despite the fact that Nebraska's high school enrollment is
higher that it was two decades ago.
Here is why we care: Athletics prepare students for the real world by teaching them to balance work and other obligations. Participating in sports teaches kids how to handle success -- and failure -- in life. Athletics help instill leadership qualities that simply can't be taught in the classroom. Sports teach kids about the pride that comes with representing your school and community.
It is time to give students who participate in athletics and other school-sponsored activities a half-grade of extra credit per semester for every course. For example, a student who earned a B in algebra would get a B+ that semester due to his/her heavier-than-normal workload.
The divide between those who "do" and those who "do not" is growing wider -- not only in our community and state, but across the nation.
We hope the Dorchester School Board will give this idea some thought.
If we truly believe in local control in education, let's set a model by showing we want to recognize those young people who choose not to just sit on the sidelines. Let's reward those who choose to be involved and who do their best to represent our community.
Here is why we care: Athletics prepare students for the real world by teaching them to balance work and other obligations. Participating in sports teaches kids how to handle success -- and failure -- in life. Athletics help instill leadership qualities that simply can't be taught in the classroom. Sports teach kids about the pride that comes with representing your school and community.
It is time to give students who participate in athletics and other school-sponsored activities a half-grade of extra credit per semester for every course. For example, a student who earned a B in algebra would get a B+ that semester due to his/her heavier-than-normal workload.
The divide between those who "do" and those who "do not" is growing wider -- not only in our community and state, but across the nation.
We hope the Dorchester School Board will give this idea some thought.
If we truly believe in local control in education, let's set a model by showing we want to recognize those young people who choose not to just sit on the sidelines. Let's reward those who choose to be involved and who do their best to represent our community.
It was a great game last night.. The crowd was awesome.. but it was sad to see the girls with only six players while there were girls that where there cheering on the boys that should of been playing.
ReplyDeleteI have to give credit to the boys basketball coach. He is maybe the best thing that has came to this school.The way he keeps the boy in check is amazing. Keep up the good work
Amen to your story and amen to the comment above. SIX GIRLS in a school that has over 30 girls in high school. C'mon ... get busy living and join the real world or get busy dying.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately last night was NOT the season opener. Dorchester hosted Meridian on Friday night, boys won that season opener.
ReplyDeleteActually there are two girls out with injuries. One a season ender in the opening game (Friday), and the other should be back in January. As for more than 8 girls. Ask them, it's not all the girls fault.
the boys won their season opener game against Meridian 45 to 27 last friday night. As for the girls maybe someone should ask those girls why they are not playing and see just what they say. If they answer it honestly you will find out the reason that the girls basketball program has slowly been declining. Coaching changes have worked for the boys team maybe that would work for the girls' team as well. Change is hard but sometimes it is for the best.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't like Obama can I quit on my country?
ReplyDeleteThat's the logic you use if you say you won't play because you don't like the coach.
Face it. You stink. You're scared of competition and failure. You will always blame someone for your life situation but yourself. That's what you are, just face up to it.
Extra credit for athletics.
ReplyDeleteHave the blogsters been to Colorado and brought some product home to smoke
Athletics versus academics
Should the play cast get extra credit also
It's the whole picture. All part of life. Make kids work for thins and quit treating them like a bunch of spoiled babies
It's sad we would even contemplate BRIBING KIDS to go out for sports. Back in my day (just 15 years ago) you were just expected to go out for sports and be a participant in your school/town.
ReplyDeleteJust sad all around that kids are lazy nowadays.
I do not agree with giving kids extra credit for playing sports. If they want to play, play. If not, don't. Bribing them with a grade is downright crazy. In my day, we played because it is what we loved doing, and we were expected to keep our grades up if we wanted to keep playing.
ReplyDeletePerhaps getting new fresh faces on the coaching staff. I
attended the game last Friday, and then again on Tuesday. I typically do not attend, but had heard there was a new coach so I wanted to see what he was like, and all that I can say is, he is a breath of fresh air. I believe he is what this school needs, he has brought a drive and edge that those boys needed. They finally have someone that believes in them, and believes in the program. Great hire Dorchester! Keep up the good work coach!
Good job Coach
ReplyDeleteIf any DHS students read this, I hope you guys stop and think about the long term. You only get once chance at high school. I would encourage you to go out for sports. I never did,,,now I always sit around and wonder WHAT IF?
ReplyDeleteDorchester is lucky to have Mr. Allen. He is an amazing coach and teacher. Being from the Greeley-Wolbach District I can say that letting Mr. Allen go was one of the biggest mistakes our school district made. Our students, teachers and parents miss him dearly. Way to go coach, we're proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous of Dec, 6th 11:32. Giving extra credit for sports and other activities is not needed. Students work for grades and do activities too. You need to look at coaches, parents, and students. Students need to learn you do things in life to be proud of what you do and accomplish with out getting extras.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how people think
ReplyDeleteFirst the blog administrators let people make comments about the girls coach (which I didn't think was allowed) and how coaching changes would be good, but our football program has been terrible for the last five years and things won't change
The boys program has been terrible and we win one game and are now heros. Suppose it has anything to do with player experience
Quit taking shots at one program
Give the credit to THE BOYS for putting in time, improving their craft in the offseason. It tends to help when most of your team is made of upper classmen that work hard. There is a bunch of good kids (yes, & a good coach) leading that team.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the comment about why the girls aren't going out for basketabll, get over it. Not liking the coaching staff is a bad excuse. There are always going to be coaches, co-workers, supervisors and people with whom yo have contact with that you're not going to like. Maybe you should "practice" while you're still in high school on how to get along or at least deal with people so when you become an adult, you'll know how to survive in the real world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the op-Ed ... Time to give extra credit to kids who put themselves out there and take on extra challenges. Sure we didn't do this 20 or 30 or 40 years ago. We also didn't have one in six people on government food stamps back then either.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with Anonymous on giving the boys credit, as an onlooker, you can see how much more fire the boys have since the two new boys coaches came around. These boys look like new players, and while their record doesn't show it yet, they are on the way to becoming winners. I'm sure its nice to feel like they have people who believe in them, and believe they are destined for better than previous years! Great job boys, and coaches! As far as the girls program, there is no reason to take shots at the girls or the coach...however, with that being said, there may be reasons the girls do not like a coach, and those reasons may be enough that they do not want to go out for the sport....yes, its life, they will always have to deal with someone thy may not like, but why put yourself through it if you don't have to??
ReplyDeleteIt's always easier to blame someone else for your inability to compete, right kids and parents?
ReplyDeleteLook at the labor unions? It's the American way.
There are only 47 people in our high school, so there are less than 30 girls. I don't understand why girls not playing basketball is this big of a deal... I understand that there are 8 girls out, and only 6 can play, but telling people to "get busy dying" because they aren't playing basketball is ridiculous. They say to try everything at least your freshmen year of high school, and I played basketball my freshmen year and I hated it. I dreaded going to practice every day. Why should I put myself through that if I don't have to? I didn't get along with the coach, I couldn't remember most of the plays, and I didn't like to play. Would you rather have a bunch of people that don't want to be there taking up the playing time of the girls that do? I'm not "afraid of failure or competition" and I'm also not "lazy." Track is my favorite sport and I work hard at dance. Maybe some of you "adults" need to start acting more like adults and less like teenage girls and stop talking about high school girls all the time. Maybe I like to be home once in a while and spend time with my family instead of spending all of my time doing something I hate doing. Yes, they could use more girls on the team, but do they really want the ones that don't care at all? I love to go to the games and cheer on the teams, but playing isn't for me. I'm still in almost every other school activity you could be in... As for Mr. Allen & the boys team, I think it's a very good thing for them. Congrats to them.
ReplyDeleteNo one says anything to the girls that don't play volleyball, or the guys that don't wrestle or play football, or the people that don't go out for track. NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO LIKE EVERY SPORT. Get over it.
I know you are not always going to get along with people, but you get paid to work with people you don't like.
ReplyDeleteGetting extra credit for playing sports isn't a good idea. What about the kids that are disabled, or the kids with parents that don't let them play (for whatever reason) how is that fair to them? You should play sports because you want to, not because other people say you should or because you are getting graded for it. If you participate in sports, you need to learn how to manage your time to keep up your grades. That's the real world.
Just want to reiterate to the boys and girls basketball teams what a great job you are both doing! Congratulations especially to the boys, you have already beat your record from last year...all I can say is that it appears the coaching change worked well for you! It's nice to see you boys fight hard for the win! Great job to the boys coaches for believing in the boys and giving them some motivation! To the girls, keep working hard, the wins will come! Your parents, friends, and townies believe in you!
ReplyDelete