The epidemic of Iowa high schools that have cancelled their girls’ basketball seasons due to declining numbers continues to grow at an alarming rate.
Downhill slope remains slippery in terms of girls’ basketball participation in Iowa | The Gazette
Jeff Linder from the Cedar Rapids Gazette has a great article that covers the participation decline issues in a great recent column.
Over the last 17+ years, participation in Iowa High School Girls Basketball has declined by close to 40%. Volleyball, Track and Field, and Softball participation numbers are all higher than Basketball (with Volleyball almost having double the number of girls participation.
When you dive into the Blame Game spiral, you will hear fans, writers, and coaches most often citing Club Sports and Volleyball/Softball for the decline of Girls Basketball in the State.
It’s time to quit blaming the decline on Club Sports, Volleyball, Track, and Softball and come up with some suggestions on how to help the game
The Good Old Days of girls playing for their school pride over their Club-AAU teams are gone.
Why? because if you want to play at the next level (college DIII, NAIA, DII, D1) your AAU club team takes precedence over high school in the recruiting process.
That is the hard fact and the reality of modern college sports (except for Football where the only place coaches can see kids compete on the field live is on the high school field). AAU and Club coaches are the go-to for college coaches. The Norman Dale basketball coach (from the Movie Hoosiers) who introduces Jimmy Chitwood to the college coach, days are over and not coming back.
So, when you are in a situation where the scales have tipped and what once was is now over what do you do?
IA Girls BB needs to creatively bring excitement and FUN back to the Game
Softball, Track, and Volleyball bring the heat with fun and getting girls participation and playing time. Those sports are leaving Basketball behind for those two key reasons. Volleyball has rotation rules (so many more girls get to play), the game is fast, the cheering and chants get all the girls who participate involved. It’s FUN.
Softball is much the same with 9 players on the field every inning, with cheering and chants. It’s FUN
Track and Field – If you go out for track, you get to compete every meet. You get a jersey and you get to compete and have fun.
Girls Basketball to be good at it requires alot of skill development and practice to become a skilled player. There are only 5 positions on the court and the benches are short (often maybe 7 girls get in in most games).
We asked our readers for input on a poll with
SGI Program #1 – Girls High School BB Preseason/Holiday Tournaments
Our number one suggested program from our readers was for the introduction of a Preseason or Holiday Tourney to bring more eyeballs and excitement to the girls game.
Today Iowa (IGHSAU) allows 21 regular season games per season (most states that border Iowa allow 24 games). To put on preseason and/or holiday tourney that would have to be increased. Illnois which allows 31 games per season and Missouri who allows 24 have many holiday tourneys and some preseason events.
(SGI Podcast below where we dive deep on our Girls HS BB Preseason/Holiday Tournaments)
We agree with our readers on having the opportunity for a Chick-Fil-A Preseason Classic and numerous holiday tourneys (Varsity and JV would be nice to give more girls playing time in a fun event).
If you have comments and suggestions on what fans can do to the Girls BB game in the state we appreciate your comments and suggestions.
