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Friday, October 23, 2009

Ind. Law - "Some fear charter schools may become sports powers"

Note the heading. Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star had this lengthy story Oct. 1 that may prove to be prescient -- some quotes:

Charter schools often are proposed with a specific niche in mind: a curriculum built around a certain topic such as math or aerospace, or tailored toward specific students such as teenagers fighting addictions or those at particular risk of dropping out.

But what if a charter school specialized in sports? What if that school became an irresistible magnet for the city's elite athletes -- a prep school for sports that guaranteed college hopefuls a chance to play with the best, to be coached by the best and to dominate opponents?

It's the very scenario that some fear could severely damage the competitive fairness of one of Indiana's most treasured traditions -- high school basketball -- and it's one that some believe already is playing out in Gary.

The basketball program at Thea Bowman Leadership Academy, a K-12 school that opened in 2003, has elicited enough ill will in recent years that at least one coach is refusing to schedule games against the team.

It also has drawn the attention of officials.

Indiana High School Athletic Association Commissioner Blake Ress said charter schools have created an "odd scenario" in that they operate as public schools without district boundaries.

Because of that, he agrees there is reason to be concerned, but the association is at a loss for how to prevent it from happening.

"If students enroll at charter schools as ninth-graders," Ress said, "there is not a whole lot the IHSAA can do unless there is blatant recruiting and undue influence that has occurred. * * *

Marcus Robinson, the principal at Tindley, said that although he considers athletics and extracurricular programs important, there is no intent to create an athletic power.

"The biggest barrier to a charter school trying to do something like that is money," Robinson said. "Charter schools simply don't have the money to build facilities that might attract blue-chip athletes. Kids don't come to our school to play sports."

Herron High School, a liberal arts college preparatory charter school, recently attracted attention when Butler basketball recruit Chrishawn Hopkins transferred there from Manual and the school hired former Indiana University standout Sherron Wilkerson as basketball coach. Hopkins' athletic eligibility has not yet been approved by the IHSAA.

Herron, which does not have a home court and practices at Indianapolis Parks Department facilities, becomes eligible for IHSAA tournament play this year as a Class 2A program. Herron athletic director Vince Stennett, who is Hopkins' legal guardian, said the school has no athletic budget, no feeder program and no intention of becoming "another Bowman Academy."

"Even if you wanted to, I'm not sure you could do it," Stennett said. "There are only five or six other options in Gary, where there are 40 or 50 other options for schools here. In our case, we don't have a gym or a track or a baseball or softball field. You do the best you can. Athletics are part of the overall experience, but it's not a major focus here."

Herron Principal Janet McNeal said "it will never be our goal to build a major basketball program."

"I'd argue that we only have sports to offer our students a more well-rounded education," McNeal said. "It's been shown that students involved in other activities or sports will do better in school."
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But others look at the ever-growing number of charter schools and the lure of sports fame and say it's only a matter of time before some coach or principal decides to create an all-star team.

"What would happen if an AAU program like Indiana Elite or Spiece got 40 or 50 kids together and opened up a charter school?" Boyd asked, referring to the state's prominent travel programs. "They'd win state every year. It's basically the same idea. What can you do? They're playing by the rules, but they're also playing by their own rules."

Today Kyle Neddenriep reported under the headline "IHSAA rules that Butler recruit Chrishawn Hopkins is ineligible for senior season at Herron: Organization says Butler recruit transferred for athletic reasons; senior must wait 365 days after last game at Manual." Some quotes:
Butler University basketball recruit Chrishawn Hopkins has been denied athletic eligibility for one year after transferring from Manual High School to Herron, a Downtown public charter school.

Indiana High School Athletic Association commissioner Blake Ress said the association ruled Hopkins had transferred to Herron for athletic reasons, thereby making the 6-1 senior guard ineligible for 365 days since his last game at Manual.

"I expect that they will appeal the ruling," Ress said.

Hopkins averaged 17.3 points in seven games last season at Manual after transferring back to the school from Las Vegas. He attended Manual as a freshman and sophomore.

With a strong showing in travel basketball tournaments this summer, Hopkins attracted offers from 15 Division I schools before accepting an offer from Butler.

Ress said "a few other" less high-profile basketball players were also denied eligibility after transferring to Herron from other schools. Ress said he had no comment when asked if Herron's program is under investigation.

Hopkins lives with Vince Stennett, Herron's athletic director. Stennett did not return a phone call for comment Thursday.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 23, 2009 10:12 AM
Posted to Indiana Government