Parents calling for a level playing field

  • Parents calling for a level playing field
    Parents calling for a level playing field
  • Devin Tipton gives it his all during the relay at the State Track Meet. Brian Blansett
    Devin Tipton gives it his all during the relay at the State Track Meet. Brian Blansett
  • Emi O’Steen and Bri Harkins discuss strategy during a break at the State Championship game. T.J. Harkins
    Emi O’Steen and Bri Harkins discuss strategy during a break at the State Championship game. T.J. Harkins
  • Klete Finley, Jase Hayes, and Bryant Watts congratulate each other after a good play during the playoffs. Courtesy photo
    Klete Finley, Jase Hayes, and Bryant Watts congratulate each other after a good play during the playoffs. Courtesy photo
  • Kaylin Dougherty, Lanie French, Madi Jones, Kayte Auld, Emi O’Steen and Brianna Harkins all join in on team spirit during the State Championship game. T.J. Harkns
    Kaylin Dougherty, Lanie French, Madi Jones, Kayte Auld, Emi O’Steen and Brianna Harkins all join in on team spirit during the State Championship game. T.J. Harkns
  • Jesse Rose passes the baton to Damon Rowe during the relay at the State Track Meet. Brian Blansett
    Jesse Rose passes the baton to Damon Rowe during the relay at the State Track Meet. Brian Blansett

    Some Oklahoma parents are calling on the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association to level the playing field for schools when it comes to sports playoffs. Ever since the late 60s, private schools have been allowed to participate in sports playoff events.

    Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School and Bishop Kelley High School were both approved as members to the OSSAA in the 1967-1968 school year.

    There has been a decadeslong debate concerning the fairness of private and public schools participating in the same playoff events. One issue is recruitment.

    It is widely known that private schools have the ability to recruit outside of their district because there are no district lines for private schools. They are also able to offer scholarships to prospective players to sweeten the pot and assist their decision on joining the team. The argument is that these practices “enhance the talent pool for private schools.”

    However, on the flip side, public schools are forced to utilize the talent that resides in their district. They are also not capable of offering scholarships to the prospective players.

    Parents argue that this puts public schools at an epic disadvantage when facing private schools in state tournaments.

    Some people use historical data to back up their claim that private schools have an advantage because they have less recruiting limitations. Bishop McGuinness has won 93 state championships in 37 years, and Bishop Kelley has garnered 102 state championships since becoming an OSSAA member.

    Holding this argument, some Oklahoma parents have started a petition to request the OSSAA to amend their rules of engagement for this particular problem. The petition calls for two possible amendments: to prevent private schools from participating in the same playoff events as public schools or to allow public schools the opportunity to offer scholarships and recruit potential athletes from outside of their district.

    One has to wonder if the OSSAA amends the rules to allow either one of the petition’s suggestions, will it level the playing field and make the playoff events a fair fight? The petition has gathered over 7100 signatures and is climbing. For anybody wishing to know more information, or wishing to sign the petition, it can be found online.