More school districts are requiring students to pay to participate in sports, according to a survey released today by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association. The survey found the percentage of Pennsylvania's 500 school districts reporting sports-participation fees grew from 13 percent in 2010 to 38 percent in 2013. The size of the fees has gone up as well. In 2010, the average activity fee was between $5 and $50, growing to $65 in 2012 and $80 in 2013. The response rate for the survey was 37 percent. Of those responding to the survey, 11 percent said they had reduced sports programs because of a lack of money. While some school districts choose fees to make up for funding problems, Todd Hosterman, senior research associate with (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Though it’s only November, a middle-school track team in central Pennsylvania is already looking forward to the spring season. Thanks to a $500,000 donation, runners at the Saint Patrick School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania will be training on their very own track. (via Runner's World)
Wellington Zaza recent - Garnet Valley graduate - is a goal oriented person on and off the track. He selects his goals and follows the plan set forth to achieve them. Zaza had a goal going into the PIAA State Championships to break a major record, but it didn't happen until weeks later at New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro NC. Photo by Don Rich from PIAA Champs
Lauryn Williams doesn't remember the last time she saw snow or ice. Temperatures in the 50s make her feel as if she's freezing. She truly thought her athletic career was ending a few weeks ago. (via www.kentucky.com)
Deworski Odom does not do a lot of talking. You get the feeling after spending a little time with him that he is one of those coaches who can communicate with his athletes from across a track. A raised hand. A stare. You get the distinct idea that athletes know exactly what he wants, and that they will do exactly that. Or there will be consequences.
Twenty years has now passed since the first edition of the Thorpe Cup, but Harry Marra still points to the inaugural meet against Germany in 1993 as his favorite. Frank Zarnowski, who has witnessed all but two Thorpe Cup meets, will always remember a Team USA victory in 1999 by the absolute slimmest of margins as the best he has seen. (via www.usatf.org)
The last time Bob Shoudt had coached a team to a state track title, Gerald Ford was president. (via phillyburbs.com)
PHOTO BY IMAGE OF SPORT I met her at the Boston Indoor about six years ago. What wonderful personality, sweet, intelligent. One of the good ones. It was a pleasure following her career. I know she'll be successful in whatever career path she takes.Thanks Lauryn!! (via www.mcmillanspeed.com)
PHOTOS BY PATTY MORGAN
Photo by Patty Morgan
Weather plays role in meet that pits the best of the PIAA against the NJSIAA. (via The Express-Times - lehighvalleylive.com)
The Newmanstown couple retired as track and field officials Saturday after dedicating nearly four decades to the sport. (via ldnews.com)
Amazing efforts of athleticism, the thirst for higher education, the quest for economic success all come into play for participants at the annual Penn Relays, the University of Pennsylvania-sponsored track-and-field meet for college, Olympic-caliber and high school athletes, that’s become an anticipated destination for scholastic competitors from the Caribbean. (via NY Daily News)
BENSALEM — Christian Kardish had a very nice sophomore year in cross country and track and was looking forward to doing even better as a junior during the 2012-13 season. (via phillyburbs.com)
Penn State’s All-American javelin throwers, Lauren Kenney and Laura Loht, have very different throwing styles, but their results this season have been remarkably similar. (via www.centredaily.com)