All throughout the talk about the possibility of going to a four-class system, and even before the talk, people in Illinois have questioned the concept of being a true champion, something most think Indiana doesn�t have. Indiana has eight state champions and Illinois has two. How can one determine a true champion? There could possibly be a �King of the Hill� deal, but that would mirror a one-class system that Rolinski sought to change. We do have one-class systems in bowling, girls golf, tennis and various IHSA-sponsored activities that have participating schools from all over the state. The Country Companies Three-Point Showdown has one champion each year: In girls basketball, Dixon�s Tara Michels defeated Prophetstown�s Megan Stralow in 2004.
The biggest fact is that when looking back on a state championship, the biggest thing that they will remember is being a State Champion, not a State Champion of a certain class.
"It can involve more kids and communities in a state tournament experience. Twenty years from now, no one will question whether a school was a 2A or 3A state champ,� said East Moline United Township Athletics Director Mike Tracey. �The school and players will just be remembered as �State Champs.��
The new system gives schools like Rock Falls, once at the top of 1A, then at the bottom of 2A, and will be at the bottom of 3A, a chance to feel state tournament excitement more.
�We are in favor of this. The fact that we are adding more classes is a great thing for the students and the towns that get the chance to win a title,� said Rock Falls Athletics Director Rich Montgomery. �It does not make any difference if there is one class or 10 classes. The excitement that the kids and the communities will experience is priceless. Our class a state title will be just as valuable to us as a class 2A title will be to some other town.�
Along with winning the state championship as a team, one needs to factor in the individual efforts as well.
�If we are in the business of doing what is best for the students this makes sense,� said Lauscher.
Montgomery agreed.
�We need to be more concerned about what is good for our athletes rather than what a few old timers and traditionalists feel,� said Montgomery. �I have always wondered how many of these individuals (against it) actually were involved in a state title.�
Are we overdoing it?
�Football coaches have tried this and they are up to eight classes and I am sure they will add more soon,� said Zick. �Do they feel they are owed a state championship? If Illinois goes to 4 classes, I will guarantee six or eight classes are not far behind. Playing in the state championship game would be like letting Shawon Dunston in the Baseball Hall of Fame. You only have to be good not great to accomplish this.�
And should it really be easier?
"Even though the new class system would make it easier to get to state, why do we always have to make things easier? I'd prefer to keep it the way it is now,� said Morrison girls basketball coach Mark Ernst. |
