kepdawg
05-04-2005, 11:01 PM
Athletics at Wilmer-Hutchins a close call
09:08 PM CDT on Wednesday, May 4, 2005
By TIM MacMAHON / The Dallas Morning News
The well-chronicled woes of the Wilmer-Hutchins ISD haven't affected Anthony Webb's pride for his school.
"I bleed blue," said Webb, a junior track and football star. "My whole family went through this school."
Webb and his teammates consider it a privilege to give their community something to rally around while the district's academic, financial and legal problems draw headlines. But they might not have the opportunity to wear a Wilmer-Hutchins uniform again after this school year.
Extracurricular activities could be eliminated if a tax rate authorization proposal before Wilmer-Hutchins voters is defeated Saturday, interim superintendent James Damm said. A defeat at the polls could also force the school district to be dissolved. Athletic director/football coach Mike Robinson said he expects Saturday's vote to be close because so many in the community are discouraged by the district's problems.
Wilmer-Hutchins coaches are left crossing their fingers that they'll have jobs next week. Teachers, administrators and parents are concerned that some students may lose their incentive to attend school if sports are taken away. And athletes just hope they'll have a chance to achieve their goals.
For the football team, that would mean a state title. Wilmer-Hutchins returns the core of a team that went undefeated in District 10-3A. The Eagles advanced to the 3A Division II regional semifinals, matching the program's deepest playoff run since winning the 1990 4A state title.
"It'll be really devastating for the school if they close athletics," said Lady Bell, a 1983 graduate whose son, Derrius, is a sophomore starter on the football and basketball teams. "I would hate it for all the kids. ... There's nothing that the kids can do about it. Why should they have to pay?"
The district's tax rate is about $1.58 per $100 of assessed value. However, district officials found no records of an election lifting the voter-imposed cap of 90 cents per $100 set in 1956.
The district would have to operate at the 90-cent level if voters reject Saturday's proposal to allow the current rate. That translates to a loss of about $7 million annually for the district.
Damm said the district could probably function with the lower tax rate, but "it would not be a pretty picture." Nurses and counselors could be eliminated, as could transportation and maintenance. The "Marching Music Machine" band and "Blue Belles" drill team could be memories, along with the athletic program.
"There really wouldn't be a choice," Damm said.
Junior Frankie Solomon fills his free time with athletics, playing key roles for the football, basketball, baseball and track teams. He said sports have served as an escape for many students.
"We knew for those two hours or so, we didn't have to worry about all that other stuff," Solomon said of the school district's ongoing problems. "We were just out there having fun, doing what we love to do in front of our fans."
Sports, principal Nate Carmen said, have been a source of pride for Wilmer-Hutchins during a difficult year.
"Athletics has allowed people to hold their head up high," Robinson said, "and be proud to be a part of Wilmer-Hutchins."
Added Webb: "Athletics has been the only thing holding the school together."
Webb, a defensive back who was named all-state after intercepting 11 passes last season, knows his football career isn't over. He has orally committed to Kansas, as has receiver Xavier Rambo.
Some of his teammates, however, might never put on shoulder pads again if the tax rate authorization proposal does not pass. UIL athletic director Charles Breithaupt said, according to the current rules, Wilmer-Hutchins students who transferred to other districts would not be eligible to play varsity athletics for one year.
"That would be tragic," Breithaupt said.
It would be especially painful for the seniors-to-be who need another season to showcase their talent to college recruiters. One example is running back/wide receiver Bryant McKinney, who has received several recruiting letters but no scholarship offers. He hopes to become the first member of his family to attend college.
Breithaupt said the state executive committee might consider the Wilmer-Hutchins athletes special cases, perhaps allowing them to become eligible immediately after transferring. That would present more problems, the most prominent being where the Wilmer-Hutchins athletes would transfer.
Robinson said the most likely scenario would be splitting them among four schools – A. Maceo Smith, Carter, Ferris and Lancaster – based on where they live.
It has yet to be determined where Wilmer-Hutchins students would go if the district dissolves. Texas Education Agency spokeswoman Suzanne Marchman said the agency has not discussed the possibility with the Dallas, Ferris or Lancaster districts.
"We're concerned about whether they're going to get a quality education and make a living," said Lionel Churchill, one of several residents lobbying for the district to be dissolved. "Just a few of them are going to get scholarships. The sooner they end this sorry mess, these kids can go on and get a quality education elsewhere."
Webb, for one, is not interested in finishing his high school career anywhere but Wilmer-Hutchins.
He is one of nine returning defensive players with two seasons of starting experience. Five offensive starters return. And Robinson said quarterback Vincent McNeil should be one of the state's best sophomores.
"I think we'll be the team to beat," Robinson said.
But only if they get the chance to play.
Staff Writer Herb Booth contributed to this report.
E-mail tmacmahon@dallasnews.com
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT FOR WILMER-HUTCHINS
Some of the positives from Wilmer-Hutchins' athletic department during a tumultuous year for the school district:
The football team went undefeated in District 10-3A and advanced to the Class 3A Division II regional semifinals.
The boys basketball team bounced back from the midseason resignation of its coach to advance to the regional tournament.
Shardell Ross and Laqueshia Davenport finished one-two in the girls 200 meters at the 3A Region II track meet to advance to the state meet.
The baseball team made what might be the first playoff appearance in the program's history. Nobody on campus can recall another.
09:08 PM CDT on Wednesday, May 4, 2005
By TIM MacMAHON / The Dallas Morning News
The well-chronicled woes of the Wilmer-Hutchins ISD haven't affected Anthony Webb's pride for his school.
"I bleed blue," said Webb, a junior track and football star. "My whole family went through this school."
Webb and his teammates consider it a privilege to give their community something to rally around while the district's academic, financial and legal problems draw headlines. But they might not have the opportunity to wear a Wilmer-Hutchins uniform again after this school year.
Extracurricular activities could be eliminated if a tax rate authorization proposal before Wilmer-Hutchins voters is defeated Saturday, interim superintendent James Damm said. A defeat at the polls could also force the school district to be dissolved. Athletic director/football coach Mike Robinson said he expects Saturday's vote to be close because so many in the community are discouraged by the district's problems.
Wilmer-Hutchins coaches are left crossing their fingers that they'll have jobs next week. Teachers, administrators and parents are concerned that some students may lose their incentive to attend school if sports are taken away. And athletes just hope they'll have a chance to achieve their goals.
For the football team, that would mean a state title. Wilmer-Hutchins returns the core of a team that went undefeated in District 10-3A. The Eagles advanced to the 3A Division II regional semifinals, matching the program's deepest playoff run since winning the 1990 4A state title.
"It'll be really devastating for the school if they close athletics," said Lady Bell, a 1983 graduate whose son, Derrius, is a sophomore starter on the football and basketball teams. "I would hate it for all the kids. ... There's nothing that the kids can do about it. Why should they have to pay?"
The district's tax rate is about $1.58 per $100 of assessed value. However, district officials found no records of an election lifting the voter-imposed cap of 90 cents per $100 set in 1956.
The district would have to operate at the 90-cent level if voters reject Saturday's proposal to allow the current rate. That translates to a loss of about $7 million annually for the district.
Damm said the district could probably function with the lower tax rate, but "it would not be a pretty picture." Nurses and counselors could be eliminated, as could transportation and maintenance. The "Marching Music Machine" band and "Blue Belles" drill team could be memories, along with the athletic program.
"There really wouldn't be a choice," Damm said.
Junior Frankie Solomon fills his free time with athletics, playing key roles for the football, basketball, baseball and track teams. He said sports have served as an escape for many students.
"We knew for those two hours or so, we didn't have to worry about all that other stuff," Solomon said of the school district's ongoing problems. "We were just out there having fun, doing what we love to do in front of our fans."
Sports, principal Nate Carmen said, have been a source of pride for Wilmer-Hutchins during a difficult year.
"Athletics has allowed people to hold their head up high," Robinson said, "and be proud to be a part of Wilmer-Hutchins."
Added Webb: "Athletics has been the only thing holding the school together."
Webb, a defensive back who was named all-state after intercepting 11 passes last season, knows his football career isn't over. He has orally committed to Kansas, as has receiver Xavier Rambo.
Some of his teammates, however, might never put on shoulder pads again if the tax rate authorization proposal does not pass. UIL athletic director Charles Breithaupt said, according to the current rules, Wilmer-Hutchins students who transferred to other districts would not be eligible to play varsity athletics for one year.
"That would be tragic," Breithaupt said.
It would be especially painful for the seniors-to-be who need another season to showcase their talent to college recruiters. One example is running back/wide receiver Bryant McKinney, who has received several recruiting letters but no scholarship offers. He hopes to become the first member of his family to attend college.
Breithaupt said the state executive committee might consider the Wilmer-Hutchins athletes special cases, perhaps allowing them to become eligible immediately after transferring. That would present more problems, the most prominent being where the Wilmer-Hutchins athletes would transfer.
Robinson said the most likely scenario would be splitting them among four schools – A. Maceo Smith, Carter, Ferris and Lancaster – based on where they live.
It has yet to be determined where Wilmer-Hutchins students would go if the district dissolves. Texas Education Agency spokeswoman Suzanne Marchman said the agency has not discussed the possibility with the Dallas, Ferris or Lancaster districts.
"We're concerned about whether they're going to get a quality education and make a living," said Lionel Churchill, one of several residents lobbying for the district to be dissolved. "Just a few of them are going to get scholarships. The sooner they end this sorry mess, these kids can go on and get a quality education elsewhere."
Webb, for one, is not interested in finishing his high school career anywhere but Wilmer-Hutchins.
He is one of nine returning defensive players with two seasons of starting experience. Five offensive starters return. And Robinson said quarterback Vincent McNeil should be one of the state's best sophomores.
"I think we'll be the team to beat," Robinson said.
But only if they get the chance to play.
Staff Writer Herb Booth contributed to this report.
E-mail tmacmahon@dallasnews.com
WHAT'S GONE RIGHT FOR WILMER-HUTCHINS
Some of the positives from Wilmer-Hutchins' athletic department during a tumultuous year for the school district:
The football team went undefeated in District 10-3A and advanced to the Class 3A Division II regional semifinals.
The boys basketball team bounced back from the midseason resignation of its coach to advance to the regional tournament.
Shardell Ross and Laqueshia Davenport finished one-two in the girls 200 meters at the 3A Region II track meet to advance to the state meet.
The baseball team made what might be the first playoff appearance in the program's history. Nobody on campus can recall another.