[Purple Haize]

IF I pay to send my kid to LCA and pay taxes to cover the public schools (that I don't use) my kid should be eligible for VHSL competition? That way I get a little something for the tax money.

Why? You made the choice not to use the available 'free' education. There are consequences for that decision.
We don't have kids, yet still pay property taxes.

[Purple Haize]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV but couldn't "need" be based on income level? If so, how would this be different than the reduced lunch program that a very high percent of students receive in certain VHSL school systems? Could the same criteria be used as the baseline for need based scholarships? I would think there's a strong case to be made...

Also to the comment from RI. I think it's important to differentiate the difference between giving a scholarship and recruiting. By definition recruiting would be going out and finding athletes, whereas giving a scholarship to an athlete that comes to you based on need would simply be a student benefit. I know I'm splitting hairs here but I think it's worth mentioning because it's a stigma that has stuck with LCA over the years but not for anything recent or under his leadership.

When I was attending LCA I would say that we did participate in some recruitment...but once Rocco took over the recruitment ended. Sure that's because most of the quality athletes interested in changing schools approached him, but he would also take the time to notify the opposing coach to let them know one of their athletes expressed interest. I think it's also important to note the difference because you can stop need based scholarships pretty easily whereas recruiting is more of a gray area can't really be stopped. He's hardly out there poaching athletes.

You obviously didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express either
Part of the reason athletes approach LCA is because they know about the scholarships. They come because they know its 'free'. LCA football is good, so players want to come. Not having to pay is a bonus. Kids aren't allowed to pay tuition to go to other Public Schhols nor can they receive 'scholarships'. Get rid of the scholarships, those players will be fewer and fewer.
I am a huge Rocco fan, and he has gone a long way to clean things up. HE may not recruit but his other coaches in other sports certainly do.
Finally, you have that whole LU tuition thing that no other school has the ability to offer.

[alabama24]

Who cares if they "recruit"? So what? Why shouldn't they be able to recruit AND play in the league? Name one good reason.

[Purple Haize]

Who cares if they "recruit"? So what? Why shouldn't they be able to recruit AND play in the league? Name one good reason.

Because no other school can

[Yacht Rock]

I look at it this way, what would the kids want? Do you think the local kids would want to play each other? Probably. I know when I was in public high school in California we loved any chance we got to play against teams that may be of higher calibre than us.

Also, if there are restrictions on joining the league, then LCA should abide by them. I've seen many folks attend LCA on scholarships because of income level and have no interest in sports. It's part of their mission.

As far as dealing with the consequences of sending our children to private school, this is a silly consequence. Especially since other states have proven that it is possible and that the world doesn't end when it happens.

I look at sports as a time when we can put politics and everything else that people disagree on aside and compete. In preparing kids for real life, I think it's a good lesson to teach them. "Hey, guess what, even though we come from different backgrounds, etc we can get along and participate in a sport together."

[TH Spangler]

Why? You made the choice not to use the available 'free' education. There are consequences for that decision.

We don't have kids, yet still pay property taxes.

Then my choices should also include a voucher, to send my kid and tax credit where I want too.

[alabama24]

Who cares if they "recruit"? So what? Why shouldn't they be able to recruit AND play in the league? Name one good reason.

Because no other school can

Boo stinking Hoo. Have a REAL reason?

It isn't true anyways. GOOD programs know good players and GOOD players know good programs. Do you really think there aren't kids living in "grandmas" basement so they can play in a different school?

Furthermore, parents SHOULD have a choice which school to send their kids... START with "in district" and move out from there.

[Purple Haize]

Who cares if they "recruit"? So what? Why shouldn't they be able to recruit AND play in the league? Name one good reason.

Because no other school can

Boo stinking Hoo. Have a REAL reason?

It isn't true anyways. GOOD programs know good players and GOOD players know good programs. Do you really think there aren't kids living in "grandmas" basement so they can play in a different school?

Furthermore, parents SHOULD have a choice which school to send their kids... START with "in district" and move out from there.

It's a very good reason. Just because you say it isn't doesn't make it true Mr Carney
I know there are kids 'living' in Aunts and Uncles house, but that is different than what LCA does. I'm pretty sure parents are not offered jobs etc. I know what it's like in one sport in particular so I am going to extrapolate it to a greater degree based on those sports popularity.
I agree 100% with you and TH about vouchers and choice. But that is a different discussion. I am also not opposed to the idea, but there are a lot of changes that LCA will need to make. What I AM opposed to is Public School being forced to include them.

[From the class of 09]

48 States have varying degrees of private/public leagues. VA and Maryland being the exception. Recruiting in some sense will happen in the name of needs based financial help as it does already. If this goes through it will increase competition, I like it. Just make sure LCA gets thrown in 6A

[BJWilliams]

If they are allowed in they would be placed wherever is acceptable based on their overall size grades 9-12 and regionally. they probably would end up in 4A although 6A certainly would be a MAJOR upgrade just as well...heck 3A would be

[flamehunter]

I am also not opposed to the idea, but there are a lot of changes that LCA will need to make. What I AM opposed to is Public School being forced to include them.

I don't think any one is saying they should be FORCED to. Right now they are practically being forced not to with the penalties incurred for playing LCA or other private schools. That is the problem.

[Purple Haize]

I am also not opposed to the idea, but there are a lot of changes that LCA will need to make. What I AM opposed to is Public School being forced to include them.

I don't think any one is saying they should be FORCED to. Right now they are practically being forced not to with the penalties incurred for playing LCA or other private schools. That is the problem.

That's sort of what the law suit wants. To FORCE them into the VHSL

[TH Spangler]

Why? You made the choice not to use the available 'free' education.

Just found out today that ALL public school children in my county qualify for free breakfast and lunch. I have no problem helping the needy, but many parents can afford it. Every single one of us pays for the public school system, even if we DON"T have children. For that reason I beleive private schools should be allowed to play VHSL playoffs.

[Sly Fox]

And while we are at it, why shouldn't homeschool kids be allowed to play for the public schools in their attendance zone?

[JakeP50]

And while we are at it, why shouldn't homeschool kids be allowed to play for the public schools in their attendance zone?

Some states allow that, I know Florida is one of them not 100% on the others but I think there are few of them.

[lynchburgwildcats]

LCA's lawyer was just on WIQO Radio, and he said:
-Virginia is only 1 of 3 states that do not allow Private schools to enter into the state public school league
-LCA is totally willing to negotiate terms and abide by the same rules as all the other schools.
-LCA does not give athletic scholarships, only need based. Also, Public Schools are free so need scollies would only level that playing field.
-LCA does not recruit. In Virginia students are allowed to transfer to any school rather easily.

That last line is 100%, unadulterated, BS and anyone that believes that is as naive as a newborn baby.

I was going to say something about that line but you said it better than I would have. Well done sir I'll admit I don't know the details of the lawsuit and how public schools deal with recruitment. However, part of the problem seems that it would be very tough to regulate this type of thing b/c LCA is a private school and their attendance is not based on geography like public schools are. Would the VHSL just be taking LCA's word that they don't recruit or is there any oversight or investigation to make sure they would be in compliance?

I also find it hard to believe that LCA has not been recruiting. When I was in high school we played LCA in basketball and got absolutely curbstomped by their Lithuanians in the mid 2000's. I'm sure they left Lithuania, just happened to relocate to Lynchburg , enrolled in LCA for academics and just happened to play basketball basketball with no prior contact from the coaches there

It's because they - and others - are using that runner known as Buddy Mason, sometimes referred to as a basketball slave trader, to get the foreigners. He recruits them to the USA then sends them off to different places.

[Purple Haize]

Why? You made the choice not to use the available 'free' education.

Just found out today that ALL public school children in my county qualify for free breakfast and lunch. I have no problem helping the needy, but many parents can afford it. Every single one of us pays for the public school system, even if we DON"T have children. For that reason I beleive private schools should be allowed to play VHSL playoffs.

The City schools have around 70-80% who qualify. I think Nelson and Amherst are higher. The calculator they use for those things is screwy. Also, there is a financial benefit to schools for the more Free Lunch/Breakfast qualified kids they have. But again another thread
And you are mixing 2 different things. Athletics are extra curricular activities and not subject (pardon the pun) to the same regulations as academics. SCHOOLS have to take any and everyone. Athletic organizations are not.
We don't have kids so we get no educational benefit for our non existent kids. We are ok with that choice. If LCA is willing and demonstrates they are playing by the same rules as Heritage, AltaVista, Glass etc, they will have a much better case. However, that would entail a HUGE paradigm shift on their part.

[Purple Haize]

And while we are at it, why shouldn't homeschool kids be allowed to play for the public schools in their attendance zone?

So the academics, teachers, students and standards aren't good enough for your kid to be around but participating with those same kids and teachers in Athletics, Drama, Band etc is ok?

[adam42381]

You must be allowed to have your cake and eat it too.

[Purple Haize]

You must be allowed to have your cake and eat it too.

I prefer pie. But an ok with a non icing chocolate cake

[Yacht Rock]

And while we are at it, why shouldn't homeschool kids be allowed to play for the public schools in their attendance zone?

So the academics, teachers, students and standards aren't good enough for your kid to be around but participating with those same kids and teachers in Athletics, Drama, Band etc is ok?

Yes, it is okay.

I'm not sure why you believe people choose to send their kids to a private school. Perhaps as a non-parent you can't grasp the reasons. I don't know.

But to think that it's just to stay away from anyone associated with public school is silly. There are many, many reasons.

Many kids who go to private school also are involved in various extra-curricular activities throughout the community and interact with public school kids and guess what, once again, the world doesn't end.

And actually, regarding your quote about participating with "those same kids and teachers in Athletics, Drama, Band etc" I would point you to the Lynchburg Classic.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynchbur ... 6491494712

Looks like everyone had fun and the kids all got along...how could that be?

What I don't understand is why people would deal in absolutes and is that something we should teach our kids? "If you are a private school you should only play private schools and not associate with public schools." That is a silly thing to teach kids and is devoid of critical thinking.

[Purple Haize]

And while we are at it, why shouldn't homeschool kids be allowed to play for the public schools in their attendance zone?

So the academics, teachers, students and standards aren't good enough for your kid to be around but participating with those same kids and teachers in Athletics, Drama, Band etc is ok?

Yes, it is okay.

I'm not sure why you believe people choose to send their kids to a private school. Perhaps as a non-parent you can't grasp the reasons. I don't know.

But to think that it's just to stay away from anyone associated with public school is silly. There are many, many reasons.

Many kids who go to private school also are involved in various extra-curricular activities throughout the community and interact with public school kids and guess what, once again, the world doesn't end.

And actually, regarding your quote about participating with "those same kids and teachers in Athletics, Drama, Band etc" I would point you to the Lynchburg Classic.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynchbur ... 6491494712

Looks like everyone had fun and the kids all got along...how could that be?

What I don't understand is why people would deal in absolutes and is that something we should teach our kids? "If you are a private school you should only play private schools and not associate with public schools." That is a silly thing to teach kids and is devoid of critical thinking.

Perhaps the fact that you have kids biasly blinds you to the facts.
Where in my argument did I say Christian Schools shouldn't compete against Public Schools? Maybe too many readings of pop up books dulled your senses to the point you did not read or comprehend an earlier post
:

I know one GBB team that wanted to play them for years

Maybe you have a difficult time separating Community events and scholastic events
I have never had any objection to teams playing LCA and,in fact, encourage it. Other than football LCA competes against Public schools in every other sport. But there is a huge difference in competing in games and competing for Championships.
So maybe step away from your sippy cup and actually read what I wrote.

[Yacht Rock]

I did read what you wrote.

So the academics, teachers, students and standards aren't good enough for your kid to be around but participating with those same kids and teachers in Athletics, Drama, Band etc is ok?

If you are legitimately asking this question then you lack understanding of why parents homeschool or send their kids to private school. I stand by that statement and that assessment of what you wrote.

[Purple Haize]

I did read what you wrote.

So the academics, teachers, students and standards aren't good enough for your kid to be around but participating with those same kids and teachers in Athletics, Drama, Band etc is ok?

If you are legitimately asking this question then you lack understanding of why parents homeschool or send their kids to private school. I stand by that statement and that assessment of what you wrote.

In the school or in the community? In the school, and as a private school graduate, I stand by my statement. I know why I was sent there. I know why others were sent there. Granted every case was different but they all fell within those parameters.

[Yacht Rock]

As a parent who has sent their child to public school, homeschool, and private school and having spoken to many other parents in our same boat i can say that it wasn't the extra-curricular activities that drove them away from the public school.

You yourself stated "you are mixing 2 different things. Athletics are extra curricular activities and not subject (pardon the pun) to the same regulations as academics. SCHOOLS have to take any and everyone. Athletic organizations are not."

There is a big difference between sending your child to class every day in a public school and having them compete/perform in public school sponsored extra-curricular activities.

As an adult I've helped run public high school extra-curricular activities but still would not send my child to a public school unless I was forced to. Does that make me a hypocrite? I don't think so. I believe that the classroom time and the time spend on the field/stage/whatever serve two different purposes.