[hillbilly]

where do I start BBALL. If you have been in this town for 40 years, then you can remember well that after the three football titles in the 80's, things around the high school changed. Elements got real jealous over the success of the football team and stirred up a lot of behind the scenes trouble, which over the years has hurt the program. Football does cost a lot because of (1) the amount of equipment to suit up one player, (2) the amount of kids playing the sport, (3) cost of travel, and (4) the facilities. Their budget has continuously been cut over the years down to where it is half of what schools they compete against spend. Last year the intake of money was more than what the teams budget from the school included. You can not base what a program does over a three year period in the 80's. This program is still very strong and will continue to be in the future, through the hard work of the kids, coaches, and their parents.

Lets talk about numbers. The little league basketball has been using the Blue Goose and Elementary gym for the last twenty years in conjunction with the cheeleaders with only minor scheduling problems (if you have lived here for forty years then you you should have known all of this). I coached in the little league for eight years and do know that 135 kids is more than what is there, and what problems went along with the scheduling of all the activities.

Lets talk about the basketball program. I wish they would become a regional power. It would benefit the community and the school. Do not drag down other people, programs, and most important KIDS in your search for a better basketball program. What big wins has the basketball program had over the years? 1999 is it since Keno and Howard Wallen had the teams and do not say last years district championship. Most of the other sports at Pikeville regularly win district titlas year in and year out so you can not compare them with basketball.

Now lets talk about your board member. I personnally know of many people that have told this guy that they never wopuld have voted for him had they known the way he was acting over this situation. Not as popular NOW as you think. Unless you are a part of the handful of basketball boosters or the head coaches, you do not know what has gone on behind peoples backs.

This is not about young kids other than the junior high. They just wanted the 3:30 time for practices. The school board does rent this building out to different people which has caused nightmares over scheduling over the past few years.

I will close with this thought: It does not matter where the cheerleaders practise, they will always succeed because of the hard work and dedication of the kids, parents, and coaches. They put a lot of time into being the best that they can be.
Cheerleading is expensive with the travel that goes on with competing against the best this COUNTRY has to offer, with no finacial help from the school system. Everything that they have purchased over the years has been done through fundraising and parental support. Top notch sports programs and academic achievements are made through hard work and dedication by the KIDS who participate in each of these activities. This what school is all about KIDS and not mommy and daddy and their desires. If you want to build a top notch program, build it the right way and do not trample over other kids as you do it. Good luck to Bart and the kids this year.