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Only One Soccer Field?
Submitted by arnijodi on April 24, 2008 - 8:20am.
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I read in the Hutchinson Leader print edition that there will be new ball fields by this fall 2008. I love sports, so I am all in favor of this, especially since our current ones are run down and are lacking for parking space.
One comment I do want to make. I do favor the sport of soccer in this community and am glad that a new soccer field is being built... but only one soccer field? We need to look to the future in regards to having soccer continue in this community.
I believe that we are supposed to be adding a JV High School boys and girls soccer team this fall. Along with Middle School soccer, boys and girls club soccer (Hutchinson United Soccer Association) and Community Recreation Soccer... where does that leave us for soccer practice space and game space come this fall? One soccer field will not be enough.
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Submitted by webmaster on December 3, 2008 - 10:21am.» Read similar stories filed under:
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I think the map didn't...
Back to page topI think the map didn't really tell the whole story.
I have a HS Option 1 map in front of me, and there is two soccer fields in this blueprint. One on the east end of the green space between the two schools, and another where the high school baseball field is now.
I think this option is a look into the future and not the one supposed to be ready this year though.
Thinking back to my high school days, we only had one varsity soccer field. The girls were on the road when the boys were home. The other levels played on "practice fields" which will still be in place. They have two next to the west field.
I went to a private...
Back to page topI went to a private Christian school in Ohio in my middle school years in the mid 70s. We didn't have football, so soccer was the number one sport in the fall. We had a Junior High field and a High School field. These fields were used for both practice and games. Since then, they have added junior high and high school girls soccer, so I'm sure that they've added another field for practices.
I'm sure that the Hutchinson practice and game schedules will all work out... I just hope that the activities director and the school board will add a boys and girls JV program this fall. The HUSA program is busting at the seams with players, and I'm afraid that if a JV program doesn't begin soon, that the kids will start dropping out of the program.
We just don't have enough coaches to put together extra teams for the players, so then the kids don't get as much playing time... and also the fact that these kids have worked hard and deserve at least a JV program.
As a soccer player myself, I...
Back to page topAs a soccer player myself, I am nearly disguisted that only one field would ever even have been considered. Since the moment I joined soccer in 2000, we (referring to Hutchinson United Soccer Association players) have yet to see a single new goal, a single new net, a single new field, a single new anything. This town is so head strong on being a football centered town that anyone who participates in any other sport is in a sense belittled by the seemingly endless improvements and luxuries of our Hutchinson Football teams.
Not only would limiting our program to one field be impossible to utilize fairly amongst our 10+ soccer teams in Hutchinson, but it would also create a loss to the economy of our city. When you combine all of Hutchinson's soccer teams together, you get a combined total of about 100 games per year hosted in Hutchinson. With twenty players, two coaches, and at least 10 family members per hosted team, HUSA (Hutchinson United Soccer Association) brings an average of 4,000 visitors to our city every year, and thats with only two fields.
If Hutchinson City Counsil were truly concerned about attracting visitors to our great city, they would see this as an opportunity not to reduce the size of Hutchinsons wonderful soccer program, but rather expand it to something at least comparable to Glencoes 6-field soccer complex, or better yet New Ulms beautiful 20-field soccer complex. Maybe its time for Hutchinson to wake up and realize that although it is true that we have a great Football program, it might be time to catch up with the rest of the state and begin promoting the most participated-in sport in not just the united states, but the world, SOCCER.
-Michael Massmann,
Hutchinson High School Student
mike_massmann@tmo.blackberry.net
It's nice to have a sport...
Back to page topIt's nice to have a sport for those kids that can't make the football team or the volleyball team.
I don't think soccer...
Back to page topI don't think soccer supporters look at it as an option for kids that "can't" make the football or volleyball squad. It is an option, not a fall back position. Not everyone pines to play football (boys) or volleyball (girls).
I didn't have the opportunity to play soccer in high school except for in physical education classes. I enjoyed it because of the constant movement. I think it develops a good all-around athlete because it develops stamina, much as basketball does.
I played football only in 7th grade for junior high team. It wasn't that I "couldn't" make the team or wasn't a good enough athlete, I just didn't like playing it that much. The coach always started eighth-graders even if you knew the plays better and outplayed them. I figured I had better things to do than be a live blocking dummy.
Anyway, I didn't play any high school sports, but always played pick up basketball, baseball, softball, tennis and yes, touch football. Ultimately, I played touch football on a fraternity intramural team in college and held my own with former high school players not on the college team. Hence, my nickname "TD", not just for my initials, but I seemed to always catch a touchdown pass each game out of my blocking back or center position. I didn't look like a threat, but had pretty good hands.
I also played a lot of yard volleyball at our fraternity house, bowled on a fraternity team in a college league, and played softball with the fraternity team in a Mankato city league. I wasn't the best player, but my no means was I the worst.
I've continued to play softball most years since then and will again this year even though I'm in my 50s. Also have over the years occasionally played Rec League volleyball (both indoor and sand) and think I'm a pretty good setter, defender and server (At 5-11 and no vertical leap I'm not a spiking threat by any means.)
In a way, I'm glad I didn't play high school sports. I didn't wreck a knee, develop arthritis or have other injuries to haunt me today. I had fraternity brothers who were getting hip and knee replacement surgeries in the mid-30s because of "old high school football injuries."
When I worked in northwest Iowa as a sports editor, a private Dutch Reformed Church school played soccer, not football. When the basketball season rolled around, they tended to run off the court basketball teams made up of a lot of football players from other schools, including the local one I covered. They always seemed in better shape and not all banged up. Could it be soccer was better aerobic preparation for basketball? By the way, their track teams were pretty awesome, too.
So I don't think we should consider soccer just for kids who "can't" make another team. They are athletes in their own way.
(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)
Did you get beat up a lot in...
Back to page topDid you get beat up a lot in high school?
Actually, Mr. Donuts, I...
Back to page topActually, Mr. Donuts, I didn't. I was fairly well liked, even by the jocks, and respected because I held my own in pick-up games and p.e. class. Besides, I was 5-foot-11, 210 pounds and worked several summers and sometimes during the school year loading and unloading seven tons of 50- and 100-pound feed bags three or four times a week. I could hold my own.
And there lies the problem....
Back to page topAnd there lies the problem. Small town mind out there for all to see. In a world of rising educational costs and cut backs the football team would be the financially logical choice to be cut. A soccer program would be healthier and cheaper to run. Lets not look at it realistically, practically lets look at it through the eyes of the town bullies. How sad. There is a huge world of options beyond the goal posts. It is sad to hear of those who never make it beyond the bleachers. Let me guess you already have your blanket duct taped down to the prime location don't you donuts....?
I've never been a bully, but...
Back to page topI've never been a bully, but I know a lot of people that got beat up.
I agree with the comments...
Back to page topI agree with the comments that the school district needs to step up to the plate, and give the soccer players the fields that the need to practice and play in order to remain competitive. Soccer enthusiasts have been asking for these fields for many years, but because the school board refused to acknowledge the interest in soccer, those wanting to participate had to play in a surrounding town such as GSL. Unfortunately the football people have long fought against soccer being offered in Hutchinsno. Now those soccer numbers are overwhelming and the district has no choice but to listen to these folks. Congratulations soccer players and parents. Best wishes and good luck to all of you!!
I too think that there...
Back to page topI too think that there should be a soccer field in Hutchinson for those wanting to compete in the game. I also think that the track at the High school should be redone so the track team can actually practice on it and so that other towns want to come to Hutchinson for track meets. The track is so hard that it's better to run on the roads than on the track. Talk about shin splints - ouch.
The soccer option seems like...
Back to page topThe soccer option seems like a great opportunity for those who prefer playing a game that has non-stop action. I was a football player and to be truthful don't enjoy watching the sport of soccer. Regardless, it is a popular sport that has seen its numbers grow and grow.
This town is so attached to football... i say who gives a rip. To watch football dominate our newspaper is also sickening. To see all the blankets perched in the stands sometimes days in advance is good humor. Adults so into and living fantasy through a bunch of pimply face kids is very funny to many. To see the large number of coaches strutting along the sidelines like roosters is comical. Our spring sports often have one coach for dozens of students when football has a dozen coaches. Now I am sure that school money, booster money, and the burning desire to banter about also brings in some of these coaches. I agree that football does not want anything that might take a halfback or safety from their ranks. They have had it their way for such a long time that i am almost positive that just the idea that an athlete might choose something else makes them feel uneasy. Do i feel that soccer will ever pack the stands like a football game... no I do not. Do I even like soccer... no i do not... But i do feel it's time for them to move aside and allow choices for our students. It's great that soccer can be offered to both boys and girls. I believe that girls are lacking a sport and by offering them another choice might also be a great thing. I can't wait to pull out a blanket and place it on the bleachers...(assuming they are given bleachers).
You are definitely correct...
Back to page topYou are definitely correct on the numbers being overwhelming in the area. I coach the indoor soccer for both a boys 2-3 grade and girls 2-3 grade. For the boys we have 9- 10 kids on each team with 6 teams and 4 teams for the girls. That is 100 kids just in that grade level playing soccer indoors, which is just prep for the outdoor version in the summer. These kids are all very enthusiastic and love this game. It is not because they "couldn't" play baseball or softball. They just love this sport more than the others. If anyone doubts the enthusiasm for soccer, I invite them to come watch one of these "games" at the rec center. You will see non-stop fast action like never before and although there is no score kept, all the kids know who wins or loses---it is serious to them.
How sweet, all of you must...
Back to page topHow sweet, all of you must play Dungeons and Dragons together.
What exactly does Dungeons...
Back to page topWhat exactly does Dungeons and Dragons have to do with this conversation? It appears that everyone who is participating in this thread is a sports enthusiast. I for one, have never played that game, but have participated in just about every sport there is to play. I have "tried" them all and just enjoy the game of soccer and would like others to have the same chance. Please keep the conversation intelligent, it is much more enjoyable for the rest of us.
Look out Donuts, be careful...
Back to page topLook out Donuts, be careful when you insult passionate sports fans. How would you like it if we called people like you who sit around all day and play the Nintendo Wii, "people who aren't good enough play the Xbox360"?
Wow..Ignorance! Donuts...
Back to page topWow..Ignorance! Donuts seems to be a very ignorant person. First, he/she calls soccer the secondary option to football, could he be more wrong? I could have stayed with the football program all the way from 9-12th if i had choosen, but being as i preferred soccer, I stopped playing football after my tenth grade year. Secondly, it seems that he/she is unable to stay on one topic of discussion and is clearly only in here to try and ****** some people off!
I consider soccer more of a...
Back to page topI consider soccer more of a 3rd or 4th option to real activities.
Whie growing up in the late...
Back to page topWhie growing up in the late 70's there was a push for Soccer...sport of the future. Obviously we aren't in the future yet.
I remember playing baseball one summer day and a couple older high schoolers needed fill-in players for their team. They asked us to play this one game for them and we agreed. We piled in the cars and drove to Litchfield, played the game, came back for dinner...and Mom never knew we were even out of town. There, there's my only soccer memory.
I see that Hector Farms II...
Back to page topI see that Hector Farms II Partnership - Hector, MN is ranked 2nd in the state for receiving the most subsidized money from our state... $456,111. The money is used to prop up the earnings of our farmers. What a country we live in...
But how many soccer fields...
Back to page topBut how many soccer fields do they have?
I believe that all of you...
Back to page topI believe that all of you soccer supporters have finally seen the light and that is that football is king in this town, and that whatever football wants, football gets. This is to the detriment of the remaining sports. I think you need to demand more support from the School District for more fields, etc. and you need to call your school board members to get some satisfaction for more money in your columns. Otherwise, football will take and take and take, and there will be nothing left for the rest. You are right, there are a lot of coaches for the football team, and by the way, are these guys getting paid? I understand there is a football booster account that the football coach is in charge of; however, I also understand that there is no accountability for the money that comes in and out of this fund. Sports people (other than football), demand some answers!! I believe equality comes into play here, so use this argument to get some answers. Good Luck.
Jane you make some alarming...
Back to page topJane you make some alarming accusations. Can you prove them? To say the coach has unregulated control over the booster-account could be disturbing to some. Is it true?
I don’t know if this is true or not, but you have better make sure this is true before putting things like that out there.
Janedoe22 makes a lot of...
Back to page topJanedoe22 makes a lot of comments without facts. It seems like it is a lot of gossip with nothing to back it up.
Most of the football coaches...
Back to page topMost of the football coaches are volunteers. I'm not sure if the paid coaches chip in a little money for each one.
Here is a list of paid coaches:
http://www.hutch.k12.mn.us/pageView.cfm?pageID=344
Only four coaches on varsity - the rest are volunteers. Hope that answers your questions.
You sound like someone who...
Back to page topYou sound like someone who wanted to date a football player in high school but was never asked out by one, thus the bitterness. But hey, you got the drama guy, right? I'm just guessing because of all of the drama in your posts.
(Probably my last post with this name after the Hutch Leader Gestapo discontinues my participation, but I'll be back.)
Let me start off by saying I...
Back to page topLet me start off by saying I am not a soccer hater. I see nothing wrong with game, as a matter fact I have enjoyed playing from time to time.
With that said, there are a few things wrong with the arguments for adding soccer at the high school level and adding more fields. The main thing comes down to money. It has been said in the blog that the school district needs to step up and build the field and fund soccer. From where is the money to come? The school district seems to have to make cuts every year. If soccer is added that is more money the school must spend. If they add more fields that would be more money they must spend.
Let’s assume soccer does get added at the High School. If, in the future, the A.D. must make athletic cuts, what should be the first to be cut? Some would say the football program. My question is why? Because it is expensive? That may be true, but do you know how much money the players fund raise? How about the revenue the program brings in. More kids play football then any other sport. The games on Friday nights have the biggest crowds.
Someone mentioned the kids that can’t make other teams need a team to go to. Well the football team does not make cuts. The coaches will find a spot for any kid that is willing to work hard. Yes the volleyball team does make cuts, but the swim, cross-country and tennis teams do not. There are already plenty of sports the kids can choose from.
Soccer is a good sport. Will it be added to the High School? I would say someday. It is not a matter of if. It is a matter of when. My only question is at what cost.
Loyal Hutch sports fan.
They can get rid of...
Back to page topThey can get rid of football. It's just a sport they have because the school isn't good enough to have a soccer team.
Donuts, you sure do...
Back to page topDonuts, you sure do contradict yourself a lot. First you say that Soccer is for those kids who can't make the Football or Volleyball teams.
Next you say that you consider Soccer a 3rd or 4th option to real activities.
And now you say the only reason Hutch has Football is because the school is not good enough for a Soccer team?
So my question to you is this...is there any sport you do like? Or are you just trying to be negative?
An Internet troll, or simply...
Back to page topAn Internet troll, or simply troll in Internet slang, is someone who posts controversial and usually irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, with the intention of baiting other users into an emotional response or to generally disrupt normal on-topic discussion.
A perfect example.
Such a hip internet cat to...
Back to page topSuch a hip internet cat to know such slang. As far as i can figure, 80% of this internet board is emotionally charged opinions... some researched, most isn't... I'm just tickled pink that we can discuss something other than McLeod West.
As far as costs... soccer is one of the cheapest sports to start-up. Very little equipment needed... For the cost of few sets of football pads and helmet you could almost buy what you need to run a soccer program.
No, in the big picture,...
Back to page topNo, in the big picture, start up is not that expensive. What about paying for coaches, officials transportation ect...? They are ongoing costs. As I said before, I am not against soccer per say, I am just concerned about the school being able to continue to offer the programs they currently have.
I take it you didn't sense...
Back to page topI take it you didn't sense the sarcasm in my last post.
BORRRING !!! This string is...
Back to page topBORRRING !!! This string is just about as boring as a soccer (or hocky) game.