Schools with Feeder Systems

[DLSfanNW]

I am fascinated by communities that develop complicated offenses and have kids begin learning them as early as grade school.

I know Byrnes, SLC, and Bellevue all do this and it seems to work for them. All funnel an entire youth system through one school and have all youth teams be what ever mascot the town school uses. I am sure there are many schools across the country that have similar programs.

As I was researching I found the following article.

http://www.johntreed.com/hs.html

which included the following quote.


"# The best high-school football team in the history of the universe is probably our local De La Salle High School. They set a 151-game win streak which broke the old world record of 72. They have no youth football feeder program. That Catholic school gets their players from a half dozen different youth flag and tackle programs. Their defensive coordinator once told me that many of their best players played soccer until high school. So how important can a youth feeder program be? "

How do the GCL schools divide the Jr high talent in Cincinnati? How is this different for a school like Colerain?

How many schools in Texas use youth feeder programs?

When should a kid start learning the High School offense?

[Bordertown]

At Texas High the kids do not start contact football until 8th grade and the norm is 7th grade to start football in Texas. There are youth football leagues in the city but they are a bunch of dads coaching tackle football to peewees. Everything I have heard is the medical profession discourages contact football tell kids complete their growth spurt.

Being a soccer fan I was pleased to read the high number of kids entering DLS football via Futbol. I have long held the view that soccer is a great base sport that prepares young athletes for other sports later in life.

[RockinL]

I am fascinated by communities that develop complicated offenses and have kids begin learning them as early as grade school.

I know Byrnes, SLC, and Bellevue all do this and it seems to work for them. All funnel an entire youth system through one school and have all youth teams be what ever mascot the town school uses. I am sure there are many schools across the country that have similar programs.

As I was researching I found the following article.

http://www.johntreed.com/hs.html

which included the following quote.


"# The best high-school football team in the history of the universe is probably our local De La Salle High School. They set a 151-game win streak which broke the old world record of 72. They have no youth football feeder program. That Catholic school gets their players from a half dozen different youth flag and tackle programs. Their defensive coordinator once told me that many of their best players played soccer until high school. So how important can a youth feeder program be? "

How do the GCL schools divide the Jr high talent in Cincinnati? How is this different for a school like Colerain?

How many schools in Texas use youth feeder programs?

When should a kid start learning the High School offense?


I could have sworn I read in the book about DLS that the coach (Ladacouer)sp? said that alot of his players come from the younger area catholic schools. Maybe Im mistaken.

[WrongPerson]

The GCL schools dont really divide the Jr high talent in Cincy...its basically all kids go to whatever school they want to, provided they get accepted.

[SLCDad]

Feeder systems?

In Ohio most of the powerhouse teams are privates. They draw athletes from huge geographical areas. Most privates in other states are the same.

It's not surprising that DLS is "down" and may stay down because they are offering fewer scholarships to great athletes.

In Miami, athletes can choose between several high schools they want to attend. MNW has benefited from that and even picked up a blue chipper this year who will only play one year for MNW.

There are many examples of small private schools that have huge numbers of great athletes. It's not a coincidence or a random event.

In Texas none of the great football teams have these advantages. Most of the kids playing for Texas teams have been playing together since they were kids. Granted, that in itself is an advantage. In Texas the emphasis needs to be placed on developing the players who live in the attendance zone with their families rather than attracting players from wider areas.

[consumerman]

Feeder systems?

In Ohio most of the powerhouse teams are privates. They draw athletes from huge geographical areas. Most privates in other states are the same.

It's not surprising that DLS is "down" and may stay down because they are offering fewer scholarships to great athletes.

In Miami, athletes can choose between several high schools they want to attend. MNW has benefited from that and even picked up a blue chipper this year who will only play one year for MNW.

There are many examples of small private schools that have huge numbers of great athletes. It's not a coincidence or a random event.

In Texas none of the great football teams have these advantages. Most of the kids playing for Texas teams have been playing together since they were kids. Granted, that in itself is an advantage.

you really wouldn't make such an idiot of yourself if you didn't feel a need to put a "dls is down" line in every post even though the thread has nothing to do with dls

its rather comical and shows quite a jealous obsession

sorry that dls went 13-0 then lost 1 game

geez they are gutter trash

comical

and obsessive

get over it daditis

from webster's dictionary:

DADITIS dad-I-tis - (adj.) an infliction to attach yourself to a football team that you have nothing to do with, and argue with stupid assinine unfounded posts about everything about the school, campus, community, per capita income, crime rate, etc. although this is a football board, and to make utter nonsense comments about other teams based on absurd and uninformed points of view, with no basis of real facts, and in actuality to ignore the real facts.

[Chicago]

I took a story more or less at random from cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/09/05/helmsley.dog.ap/index.html) and gave it the SLCDad touch.


NEW YORK (AP) -- It seems trouble is following Trouble, Leona Helmsley's beloved pooch.

Leona Helmsley holds her dog, Trouble, in a 2003 photo (the year DLS last won a National Championship).

The late hotelier left the eight-year-old Maltese $12 million and asked her brother to see to it that her pampered canine live out her life in the lap of luxury.

But apparently that brother, Alvin Rosenthal, to whom Helmsley left $15 million and a percentage of her charitable trust, is not interested (much like DLS was not interested in playing SLC).

The New York Post, citing an unidentified source, reported Tuesday that Rosenthal, 80 (SLC has lost just once in its last 80 games, by the way), expressed no interest in caring for Trouble. Whether her grandson David Panzirer, Helmsley's second choice, would step in (as MNW did for DLS) was not known.

[SVILLEBIGRED]

you really wouldn't make such an idiot of yourself if you didn't feel a need to put a "dls is down" line in every post even though the thread has nothing to do with dls

its rather comical and shows quite a jealous obsession

sorry that dls went 13-0 then lost 1 game

geez they are gutter trash

comical

and obsessive

get over it daditis

from webster's dictionary:

DADITIS dad-I-tis - (adj.) an infliction to attach yourself to a football team that you have nothing to do with, and argue with stupid assinine unfounded posts about everything about the school, campus, community, per capita income, crime rate, etc. although this is a football board, and to make utter nonsense comments about other teams based on absurd and uninformed points of view, with no basis of real facts, and in actuality to ignore the real facts.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[fiveoaks]

Feeder systems?

In Ohio most of the powerhouse teams are privates.

outside of the GCL, in which there are 4 teams and only 2 "power houses" there are 2 privates in cleveland St. Ignatious and St. Ed's..i don't know if that constitutes "most" as there are alot of publics that actually do use the feeder system concept where kids have been playing together since youth ball and are very successful programs...some of the smaller division catholic school power houses in ohio use the feeder systerm as well.

[SLCDad]

outside of the GCL, in which there are 4 teams and only 2 "power houses" there are 2 privates in cleveland St. Ignatious and St. Ed's..i don't know if that constitutes "most" as there are alot of publics that actually do use the feeder system concept where kids have been playing together since youth ball and are very successful programs...some of the smaller division catholic school power houses in ohio use the feeder systerm as well.

When I look at the current rankings in Ohio aren't 4 out of the top 6 privates? That's what I was referring to.

1 - Cincinnati St Xavier (private)
2 - Cincinnati Colerain
3 - Cincinnati Elder (private)
4 - Cleveland St Ignatius (private)
5 - Mentor
6 - Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (private)

[concha]

X and Ignatius are probably the top private contenders for the D1 crown this year.

Public schools like Colerain and Dublin Coffman (two Forbes All-Americans, won their frst two ames by a combined 119-14) will provide very real and formidable obstacles to X, at least. Solon and Mentor could be tough up north.

[fiveoaks]

When I look at the current rankings in Ohio aren't 4 out of the top 6 privates? That's what I was referring to.

1 - Cincinnati St Xavier (private)
2 - Cincinnati Colerain
3 - Cincinnati Elder (private)
4 - Cleveland St Ignatius (private)
5 - Mentor
6 - Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (private)

3 of those 4 are in the GCL...4 out of 6 sounds alot better than four out of 10 though..top 6?:rolleyes:

[Plaindriver]

[QUOTE=SLCDad;2629203]Feeder systems?

In Ohio most of the powerhouse teams are privates. They draw athletes from huge geographical areas. Most privates in other states are the same.

It's not surprising that DLS is "down" and may stay down because they are offering fewer scholarships to great athletes.

Based on your knowledge of DLS scholarship program, would you please enlighten us all with facts: How many fewer schollie's ? IE, how many did they give previously and how many did they give this yr? Which great athletes have been given schollie's currently or in the past b DLS? Thanks

[SLCDad]

Based on your knowledge of DLS scholarship program, would you please enlighten us all with facts: How many fewer schollie's ? IE, how many did they give previously and how many did they give this yr? Which great athletes have been given schollie's currently or in the past b DLS? Thanks

Consumerman is an avid follower of DLS. He posted on this board that DLS is offering fewer scholarships to great athletes. Perhaps he can answer or can set the record straight if I'm wrong.

[consumerman]

Consumerman is an avid follower of DLS. He posted on this board that DLS is offering fewer scholarships to great athletes. Perhaps he can answer or can set the record straight if I'm wrong.

thats is not what I said

I said fewer grants are being given out as the head guy thought the school was having too much success in football

the grants were always given on a blinded basis

the RUMOR is the head guy made some kind of attempt to even keep athletes who received blinded grants from geting them

it is a rumor

nothing liking leaping about three degrees to DLS quit giving as many scholarships to great athletes

dls has never been known for having better athletes than their opponents

they have been known for being a better TEAM that was superbly coached

but the rumor is that the head guy has gone out of his way to prevent possible fb players from getting grants

the policy started in the 2003-2004 time frame


what part of IT IS A RUMOR do you not understand?

[consumerman]

BTW Oregeon is creaming Michigan right now

and the two big players are North Coast Section players
QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart

so much for DLS grabbing all the talent

[DLSfanNW]

CM,

Stewart is from Washington near Olympia.

[Plaindriver]

Consumerman is an avid follower of DLS. He posted on this board that DLS is offering fewer scholarships to great athletes. Perhaps he can answer or can set the record straight if I'm wrong.

Dad- -In the future it would be more honorable if you would label your statements as third party rumors that you partially remember perhaps reading from another poster, rather than insinuating that your statements are facts, as if you have some inside knowledge. I am still waiting for you to name just one athlete at DLS who was awarded a schollie based on perceived athletic ability. Please name at least one, and divulge how you know it to be fact, or retract your statement, and edit your false post.

[SLCDad]

Dad- -In the future it would be more honorable if you would label your statements as third party rumors that you partially remember perhaps reading from another poster, rather than insinuating that your statements are facts, as if you have some inside knowledge. I am still waiting for you to name just one athlete at DLS who was awarded a schollie based on perceived athletic ability. Please name at least one, and divulge how you know it to be fact, or retract your statement, and edit your false post.

Here is what I posted:

"It's not surprising that DLS is "down" and may stay down because they are offering fewer scholarships to great athletes."

Based on what Consumerman has posted on multiple occasions I stand by my statement. I'm not retracting anything.

Even in the post above, Consumerman posted that the head guy "has gone out of his way to prevent possible fb players from getting grants. The policy started in the 2003-2004 time frame."

-

[consumerman]

Here is what I posted:

"It's not surprising that DLS is "down" and may stay down because they are offering fewer scholarships to great athletes."

Based on what Consumerman has posted on multiple occasions I stand by my statement. I'm not retracting anything.

Even in the post above, Consumerman posted that the head guy "has gone out of his way to prevent possible fb players from getting grants. The policy started in the 2003-2004 time frame."

-


but the rumor is that the head guy has gone out of his way to prevent possible fb players from getting grants


what part of IT IS A RUMOR do you not understand

[Plaindriver]

Here is what I posted:

""DLS is "down" and may stay down because they are offering fewer scholarships to great athletes.""
-

Sounds like you are stating a 'FACT' Dad, not just merely passing on fragments of a (labeled) rumor. If you wont retract, then you are not an honorable man.

PS: DLS is anything BUT down this yr!

[pied]

thats is not what I said

I said fewer grants are being given out as the head guy thought the school was having too much success in football

the grants were always given on a blinded basis

the RUMOR is the head guy made some kind of attempt to even keep athletes who received blinded grants from geting them

it is a rumor

nothing liking leaping about three degrees to DLS quit giving as many scholarships to great athletes

dls has never been known for having better athletes than their opponents

they have been known for being a better TEAM that was superbly coached

but the rumor is that the head guy has gone out of his way to prevent possible fb players from getting grants

the policy started in the 2003-2004 time frame


what part of IT IS A RUMOR do you not understand?


I can say with certainty that I am not real familiar with the grant process, but after the bolded clarification I am even more in the dark.

[consumerman]

I suggest you read Chapter 21 of When The Game Stands Tall

[SLCDad]

Sounds like you are stating a 'FACT' Dad, not just merely passing on fragments of a (labeled) rumor. If you wont retract, then you are not an honorable man.

PS: DLS is anything BUT down this yr!

I can't help how you interpret what I posted. We've discussed the DLS scholarship/grants issues for a couple of months. I'm sorry you missed the discussion. Also, the grants issue at DLS been discussed a lot more on other football boards.

DLS set some very lofty standards in the 1990's and early 2000's. They HAVE been down for several years now by their own standards. It's been admitted that DLS hasn't had the athletes that they've had in the past. 2006 was a clear example of that.

Using all of the polls, the final DLS national rankings were:

2004: #81 (tied with about 30 schools)
2005: #44
2006: #23
2007: #24 (All polls week of Sept 3, 2007)

How do you explain the fact that DLS has been down for the last four years?

[consumerman]

I can't help how you interpret what I posted. We've discussed the DLS scholarship/grants issues for a couple of months. I'm sorry you missed the discussion. Also, the grants issue at DLS been discussed a lot more on other football boards.

DLS set some very lofty standards in the 1990's and early 2000's. They HAVE been down for several years now by their own standards. It's been admitted that DLS hasn't had the athletes that they've had in the past. 2006 was a clear example of that.

Using all of the polls, the final DLS national rankings were:

2004: #81 (tied with about 30 schools)
2005: #44
2006: #23
2007: #24 (All polls week of Sept 3, 2007)

How do you explain the fact that DLS has been down for the last four years?

DLS has had 6 losses since the streak ended

Let's look at those 6 losses

2004
Bellevue consensus national top 10
Clovis West perrenial 11-12 game winner from Fresno
Mission Viejo consensus national top 3, DLS barely lost on a last second FG
In 2004, DLS had a shadow of the talent normally there and started 2-3-2, They recovered to win their last 6 games, and their sectiona dnsome people think that recovery with that talent level was the best coaching job Coach Lad had ever done

2005
Clovis West DLS lost 7-0 because of a turnover late in the second half, I believe their QB who was replaced not long after this season opener, had 4 turnovers. It was DLS first shutout since 1979
Mission Viejo ranked #2 in most polls (#1 in 1 poll) at the time DLS lost to them. MV was upset in their playoffs but still finished national top 25

2006
Canyon DLS laid an egg in the playoff game,

that is it and what makes daditis claim DLS is way way down

[SLCDad]

DLS has had 6 losses since the streak ended

Let's look at those 6 losses . . . . .

2004
Bellevue consensus national top 10
Clovis West perrenial 11-12 game winner from Fresno
Mission Viejo consensus national top 3, DLS barely lost on a last second FG
In 2004, DLS had a shadow of the talent normally there and started 2-3-2, They recovered to win their last 6 games, and their sectiona dnsome people think that recovery with that talent level was the best coaching job Coach Lad had ever done

2005
Clovis West DLS lost 7-0 because of a turnover late in the second half, I believe their QB who was replaced not long after this season opener, had 4 turnovers. It was DLS first shutout since 1979
Mission Viejo ranked #2 in most polls (#1 in 1 poll) at the time DLS lost to them. MV was upset in their playoffs but still finished national top 25

2006
Canyon DLS laid an egg in the playoff game,

that is it and what makes daditis claim DLS is way way down

Who said DLS was "way way down"? Nobody . . . . . . . . Not Me.

I DID SAY that compared to the lofty standards that DLS set for itself, they are down. After going undefeated for over a decade, losing 6 games and tying 2 more in only 3 years IS down by their standards.

[consumerman]

LOL Who said DLS was "way way down"? LOL Nobody . . . . . . . . Not Me.

I DID SAY that compared to the lofty standards that DLS set for itself, they are down. After going undefeated for over a decade, losing 6 games and tying 2 more in only 3 years IS down by their standards.

cant disagree

I think in 2004 scheduling Bellevue, Clovis West and Mission Viejo (as well as CCS Power Palma) was extremely ambitious

safe to say no other school in the country scheduled as hard a non-league schedule (2 national top tens)

if SLC meets a national top ten, it would only be deep in their playoffs and even then, it is a rarity rather than the norm

to go out and schedule these is very ambitious

[Chicago]

I can't help you here, Consumerman.

There is no way in ---- I am reading any SLCDad post twice.

[SLCDad]

if SLC meets a national top ten, it would only be deep in their playoffs and even then, it is a rarity rather than the norm

I agree that playing a national top 10 happens deep in the playoffs for SLC.

I disagree that it is a rarity. It happens pretty much every year.

(Having said that, it's tough to stay in the national top 10 after a team loses. SLC has played many top 10 teams in the playoffs but they typically drop after SLC has beaten them. If DLS had beaten their top 10 opponents these teams would have dropped also.)

[UncleBaldy]

I am fascinated by communities that develop complicated offenses and have kids begin learning them as early as grade school.

I know Byrnes, SLC, and Bellevue all do this and it seems to work for them. All funnel an entire youth system through one school and have all youth teams be what ever mascot the town school uses. I am sure there are many schools across the country that have similar programs.

As I was researching I found the following article.

http://www.johntreed.com/hs.html

which included the following quote.


"# The best high-school football team in the history of the universe is probably our local De La Salle High School. They set a 151-game win streak which broke the old world record of 72. They have no youth football feeder program. That Catholic school gets their players from a half dozen different youth flag and tackle programs. Their defensive coordinator once told me that many of their best players played soccer until high school. So how important can a youth feeder program be? "

How do the GCL schools divide the Jr high talent in Cincinnati? How is this different for a school like Colerain?

How many schools in Texas use youth feeder programs?

When should a kid start learning the High School offense?

I know a lot of the teams in Northern Kentucky teach only the offenses used by local schools. It has produced several good programs recently. The most well know is Highlands.

[elwood]

I can't help you here, Consumerman.

There is no way in ---- I am reading any SLCDad post twice.:laugh:

[elwood]

For the record, DLS offers financial aid to anyone who chooses to apply. Scholarship implies cause & effect: Play for our school and we will reduce / eliminate tuition. That is NOT the case at DLS.

Any student can apply for financial aid once you are accepted to the school. If you don't get the aid and can't afford the school, you find another school that you can afford.

DLS financial aid is evaluated by a midwestern firm who knows nothing of the student other than their financial situation - do not know their name, just a number. As was published in ESPN The Magazine, DJ Williams (one of the most talented athletes to ever walk the halls of DLS) received financial aid, but his mother still had to work 3 jobs to pay the part of his tuition that was not covered by the financial aid.

This is anything but a a scholarship.

[consumerman]

I know a lot of the teams in Northern Kentucky teach only the offenses used by local schools. It has produced several good programs recently. The most well know is Highlands.

oh dont say that

elder beat two teams from kentucky last year but according to everybody they were as good as the little sisters of the poor

[consumerman]

For the record, DLS offers financial aid to anyone who chooses to apply. Scholarship implies cause & effect: Play for our school and we will reduce / eliminate tuition. That is NOT the case at DLS.

Any student can apply for financial aid once you are accepted to the school. If you don't get the aid and can't afford the school, you find another school that you can afford.

DLS financial aid is evaluated by a midwestern firm who knows nothing of the student other than their financial situation - do not know their name, just a number. As was published in ESPN The Magazine, DJ Williams (one of the most talented athletes to ever walk the halls of DLS) received financial aid, but his mother still had to work 3 jobs to pay the part of his tuition that was not covered by the financial aid.

This is anything but a a scholarship.

thanks for bringing clarity to something I tried to explain (not very well)

blinded is all I could remember

[pied]

To come to SLCDad's defense, which is not something I normally do, I to recall specualtion as to the grants not going to athletes any longer. This was not done by Texas posters, but was discussed amongst DLS fans initially. If I recall correctly there was a new guy in charge who felt there was too much focus on athletics than academics. consumerman allueded to the fact that it was discussed as well.

You can debate the definition of grant vs. scholarship, but I think in the end the result is close to the same.

Note, I have no knowledge if it happened and no reason to think it did or did not. I think you would be building a poor case if you wanted to state that DLS acheived what they did because of "recruiting" players via the grant/scholarship.

I also think that blasting SLCDad for bringing it up is not fair.

[UncleBaldy]

oh dont say that

elder beat two teams from kentucky last year but according to everybody they were as good as the little sisters of the poor


Both were in what would be lower divisions. Highlands would have been Division 3 (lost 21-18 to Elder) and CovCath would have been Division 2 (lost 13-3 to Elder). CovCath was the eventual state champ in 3A. Maybe you should check stuff like that first before you make your comments.

I have spent a lot of time looking at Ohio and Pennsylvania football and I can tell right now that, in their respective weight class, some of the Kentucky teams are just as good as some OH and PA. Maybe you don't bother to give respect to any programs not from a state beginning with "Cal", but I do.

[consumerman]

Both were in what would be lower divisions. Highlands would have been Division 3 (lost 21-18 to Elder) and CovCath would have been Division 2 (lost 13-3 to Elder). CovCath was the eventual state champ in 3A. Maybe you should check stuff like that first before you make your comments.

I have spent a lot of time looking at Ohio and Pennsylvania football and I can tell right now that, in their respective weight class, some of the Kentucky teams are just as good as some OH and PA. Maybe you don't bother to give respect to any programs not from a state beginning with "Cal", but I do.

I guess you didnt realize what I have been debating and how you are agreeing me

I have said all along that these pundits that argue (after DLS trounced them) that ELder was no good, and only won 6 games, and some of the wins were against lower division Kentucky teams, etc etc

heck a lower division team from cali was a national top ten last year

I have tried to point out ELder seems to be a lot better than people give them credit for

and finally someone (you) have helped me with some good info

reread all my posts on ELder and you will see what I mean

[elwood]

To come to SLCDad's defense, which is not something I normally do, I to recall specualtion as to the grants not going to athletes any longer. This was not done by Texas posters, but was discussed amongst DLS fans initially. If I recall correctly there was a new guy in charge who felt there was too much focus on athletics than academics. consumerman allueded to the fact that it was discussed as well.

You can debate the definition of grant vs. scholarship, but I think in the end the result is close to the same.

Note, I have no knowledge if it happened and no reason to think it did or did not. I think you would be building a poor case if you wanted to state that DLS acheived what they did because of "recruiting" players via the grant/scholarship.

I also think that blasting SLCDad for bringing it up is not fair.Pied, you have heard a lot of rampant (and inaccurate) speculation and I will attempt to give you the closest description to reality that I am able:

1. The DLS Principal is one Brother Christopher Brady. He has some understanding of the value of football because his nephew is Tom Brady, NE Patriots.

2. In one of my meetings with Brother Christopher, he beamed about the notariety of the football program because it brought attention to all of DLS, which allowed him to get the DLS message out to more people than he otherwise could. DLS does not define itself by the football program, but the football program has certainly helped to elevate all aspects of the school. Prior to Lad's arrival at DLS in '79, it struggled financially, and all sports programs were marginal or bad. The 7 yr old football program was worse than bad. Lad's success has dramatically elevated the image of DLS within the bay area, and for all other sports (now a Sports Illustrated top 10 sports program in the US) as well as academically. ALL DLS programs are extremely healthy, and the positive image brought about by the notariety of the football program has much to do with that.

3. That said, if you were to walk the campus and the halls of the school you would NOT know there was a DLS football team until you stepped onto the football field. There is nothing anywhere either proclaiming or even noting the unprecedented successes of the football program. DLS simply does not define themselves by football. The DLS football field, except for the new turf, is intentionally humble. To be candid, humility is a part of the DLS way. Not one word about any football championship. Not one word about any "streak". The only place I have ever seen anything about any football championships is inside the weight room. DLS is very understated, I am proud of that.

4. Brother Christoper once was quoted stating that he wondered what lessons the players were missing by never losing. As adults we know that life's greatest lessons are taught via losses. When a team never loses for 12 years, are they missing out on some valuable teaching lessons? I think that a thinking man understands that sentiment, and as a DLS grad, I completely understand it. Some interpreted it to mean that Brother Christoper was not behind the football program. Ridiculous.

5. Brother Christoper also stated that he did not want DLS defined by the football program. Again as a DLS grad, I completely understand that sentiment. DLS is defined by excellence in all endeavors, and football is but one of them. Those who think of DLS as a "football factory" are seriously misguided. They were blessed to have unknowingly hired one of the best high school coaches, ever. That coach was 23 years old with no head coaching experience. Who knew what would ensue. Those who read the book "One Great Game" about the first LB Poly game would remember that poly had a parade put on for them by the City of Long Beach prior to the game. DLS had one small cheesy pep rally in a quad with one "Go Spartans" sign on a wall. To Brother Christoper DLS is defined by the quality and excellence of their student body. Football is great, but DLS is so much more.

6. The speculation that "grants" (I assume you mean financial aid) not going to athletes any more is grossly inaccurate. The aid is issued with no knowlege of whether or not a student is an athlete. Race is not known, height, weight, 40 speed, none of that is known. Simply a number and a financial situation. DLS student athletes continue to be eligable for financial aid, no more or no less than any other student.

7. The DLS acceptance process evaluates a student for how well they will fit within the DLS community. DLS wants to be an extremely positive experience for the students. DLS is also proud that 17% of their student is from households qualified as "poor". DLS is and has always been about providing an education for students of all economic levels. The old Christian Brothers winery in the Napa Valley was in existence to defer the cost of education for all Lasallian schools. Academic capabilties of a student are evaluated to ensure that a student can keep up with the curriculum.

8. Brother Christopher has no role in student acceptance process.

This rampant speculation the Brother Christopher Brady has somehow wanted to hogtie the football program is simply unfounded. Brother Christopher, like every private school administrator, needs a way to ensure the message about their school, which is a voluntary school requiring lots of $$$ to attend, is well known and respected in the community. The football program helps to keep them front and center in the public's eye.

To those who think that the internet posters who have been rampantly speculating are an accurate source of insight into a school I have but one thing to say: caveat emptor.

If some think that DLS should have a DJ Williams and Mo Drew show up every year, they are sorely mistaken. Just like when DLS had Amani Toomer and Aaron Taylor in '90 & 91, they then went a few years with nobody of that caliber. That level of quality is a rarity. Football talent at DLS has it's ebb and flow too.

DLS does not recruit, nor does it have scholarships or grants. It offers financial aid to all students eligable. DLS is still the top football school in Northern California, for the 16th year running. They have won 164 consecutive games against Northern California opponents. Not bad, evan for a school that where "grants" are not going to athletes any more...

Oh and pied, you're smart enough to understand the difference between financial aid and a scholarship.

[AZElder]

The high schools run by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Elder, Moeller, LaSalle to name a few) used to have a set district like a public school. I believe that rule has changed and there are no more boundries. However, Elder is basically a neighborhood-type school and still gets the overwhleming majority of its kids from the same grade schools it always has. St. X is not run by the diocese.

There are no junior high schools in the Catholic system. You go to through grades 1-8 at one school then go to high school. The Catholic grade school system is very strong and oragnized with dozens of schools and teams. Elder roughly has about 12-13 feeder parishes that it draws from. Just to give you an idea of the number of Catholic grade schools, within about 15 minutes of my parents house in Cincy, there are about 6-7 parishes, each with their own school grades 1-8.

[Crusaders]

Feeder system, hmm...sounds like a good idea.

[SLCDad]

I saw the SLC feeder system in person yesterday when I attended my son's 7th grade middle school football game. The opponent was another middle school in the SLC district.

-- Both teams were the Dragons.
-- Both teams wore green, white and black.
-- Both teams ran the same offense which is the same offense that the SLC varsity runs.
-- Both teams were in the shotgun formation with 1 running back and 4 WRs on every play.

A huge difference between varsity and 7th grade is that the varsity passes about 50% of the time. My son's team passed 3 times. The first resulted in a pass interferrence call on the opponent. The 2nd was completed for a 2 yard gain. The 3rd was intercepted and retuned for a TD.

[consumerman]

I saw the SLC feeder system in person yesterday when I attended my son's 7th grade middle school football game. The opponent was another middle school in the SLC district.

-- Both teams were the Dragons.
-- Both teams wore green, white and black.
-- Both teams ran the same offense which is the same offense that the SLC varsity runs.
-- Both teams were in the shotgun formation with 1 running back and 4 WRs on every play.

A huge difference between varsity and 7th grade is that the varsity passes about 50% of the time. My son's team passed 3 times. The first resulted in a pass interferrence call on the opponent. The 2nd was completed for a 2 yard gain. The 3rd was intercepted and retuned for a TD.

hehe

that is funny

I once saw a youth football game and the announcer said

"quarterback passes, broken up by gravity"

[pied]

Pied, you have heard a lot of rampant (and inaccurate) speculation and I will attempt to give you the closest description to reality that I am able:


Oh and pied, you're smart enough to understand the difference between financial aid and a scholarship.

Thanks a lot for that information. Very clear, a lot of info that I was not aware of previously, and obviously took a lot of time to type.

As I stated before, I was not insinuating that DLS was doing anything inappropriate, simply making the point that the issue has been discussed at length, and quite a bit by DLS supporters.

I do understand the differnce between financial aid and a scholaship, but do not know of a significant difference between a scholarship and grant as it applies to this situation, but di understand your point pretty clearly.

Thanks again for taking the time with your response.

[Chicago]

One way to increase the quality of athletic talent at a private school is to allow athletes in who are (or seem to be) substandard academically.

I have never seen any indication that DLS does this, and I do not think DLS does this; I just think this is an easy way to bring in good athletes, and it seems to fit in with this discussion.

The Ivies have had issues with this for years. Every school thinks that other schools let in athletes that their own admissions department would never make exceptions for. And I have talked to coaches (not in football, but I'm sure it happens there quite often) who have complained that their admissions office is killing them with the low number of exceptions they get.

Before the Ivy financial aid cartel got broken up a few years ago, there was essentially no way to offer better financial aid packages than anyone else was offering, so this was basically the only way to get better athletes (other than having a better school, of course, and that sort of thing).