High School Sports In Danger

Posted at: 10/01/2009 10:40 PM
By: J.P. Murrieta

The State legislature says New Mexico is between $400-$500 million in defict. They are proposing 10% cuts in eduction.  High School athletics and activities will likely feel the effect.

According to NMAA executive director Gary Tripp, transportation budgets might be the first to go.  “We’re looking at a very serious crisis if we have to make a 10% cut,” said Tripp.  State tournaments and non-revenue sports- like golf -are in jeopardy.  A lot of schools in the state already don’t have a full schedule for various sports.  If the cuts stay in place, you’ll probably see a reduction in games.  In the other sports you’ll see a variety of different classes playing each other so they can stay close to home and save money.

Football playoffs, the state basketball tournament and the state spirit competition are the only real money makers for the NMAA.  For the postseason, the NMAA already went to the rounds of 12 and 16 teams, they might consider cutting back to 8.  The NMAA might even be looking at some simple cuts, like one uniform (instead of home and away) or brown bag lunches for meals on road trips.  It won’t make a big dent, but every little penny helps.  The NMAA board will meet again in about three weeks to discuss potential changes.

Print Story