JJIBA Adding/Dropping a Sport

ADDING/DROPPING A SPORT

If a sport (as opposed to a team, such as a freshman team or a sub-varsity team) is to be added (or dropped) from the offerings of the athletic program, the following considerations will apply.

The initial considerations are programmatic: (a) Does the sport, as a co-curricular and athletic experience meet (or fail to meet) the goals of the athletic program? (b) Is there a sufficient (or insufficient) number of athletes demonstrating a commitment or interest in the sport? and (c) Will the impact of the sport to be added (or dropped) on the program sustain the health of the overall program?

Following analysis of the above-mentioned criteria, consideration should then be given to (d) the availability and appropriateness of facilities for the disposition of unused facilities; and (e) the costs, both start-up and operational, of the program in question (and the disposition of unused resources). A decision to add (or drop) a sport is made upon the analysis of these five criteria. Further elaboration on these five criteria is provided below.

(a) Meets the goals and philosophy of the athletic program

The sport in question should encourage a broad participation and should contribute to the maintenance of a balance within the program with respect to gender equity issues. The sport should encourage the development of athletic abilities, good sportsmanship, character, extended learning, and positive life experiences.

(b) Interest

The numbers of participants, both current and future, should be in evidence. A program is expected to be operational for an extended period of time (five to ten years and beyond), and there should be a general sense that participation will not fall below a “critical level” by virtue of “feeder” programs either within the Town or regionally. It is understood that interest in a sport can often go in “cycles” depending upon the rise and fall of exposure and excitement related to a particular sport. The tradition of a sport in Wayland, Eastern Massachusetts, and/or in the United States of America may influence this decision. Consideration should be given to the long-term viability of the sport.

This criterion should be examined in terms of whether the participants of the sport will join other teams (if the sport is discontinued) or will draw from other teams if it is added. Does the sport encourage participation in this sport only or does it encourage “connectivity” with other sports, e.g., volleyball with basketball, soccer with lacrosse, etc.? The decision to add (or drop) a sport should contribute to the maintenance or enhancement of a healthy overall program. A balance between offerings for boys and girls and a sufficient number of students, coaches, and administrative support to ensure a healthy program must also be considered. Sports that can be played by both girls and boys should be given special consideration.

(d) Facilities

The facilities needed to conduct this sport must be adequate, sufficient, and appropriate for the sport. The facilities available for a sport must be available and accessible in a reasonable manner to the athletes. When considering off-site, out-of-Wayland facilities, the question of liability for poorly maintained or distantly located facilities must be considered.

(e) Costs

The start-up costs (of an added sport), the redistribution of funds (of a dropped sport), as well as the annual operational, and long-term capital/operational costs must be taken into account before a decision to drop or add a sport is made, as should be the financial consequence of adding or dropping sports.

CROSS REF.: JJIBB, Financing of an Athletic Program