I've watched a lot of basketball over the break and my heart has been hurting for teams with scarce numbers. I know some of this is injury related, COVID related or sometimes academically related. But when these factors don't apply and numbers are still low, there are ways that the school and it's community can help.
First, let's get the excuses our of the way. Stop saying that kids play too many video games or spend too much time on TikTok. This may be true in a sense, but we are not recognizing what these things provide them that we are not. Video games and social media meet a social emotional need for many students and it is easy for them to stay in that lane. Adults do it too. Let's also stop saying that losing teams keep students from playing. There are many exceptions to this. I've seen several losing teams over the years with numbers. I feel we get comfortable with saying this and we end up down a path of hiring and firing coaches. This is a failing cycle in itself.
I think the best thing we can do as school leaders is to meet kids where they are, before we can build them to what we want them to be. I will agree with many that say kids somehow need to feel special these days. I think this is true, but if we are not using this understanding to get more kids playing then we are failing them. I am definitely not a fan of giving every kid a trophy, but we can start with three simple things that help us focus on kids and not live on excuses.
Invest in the Extracurricular Environment
Yes, we need to spend a little bit of money. It doesn't to hurt to budget funds each year to help the appearance and experience of our programs. Upgrades to facilities are a great way to instill student pride. We all can't have turf football fields, but we should do the best we can. Start with signage and print media to dress up a gym or field. Establish uniform purchasing rotations so teams are wearing nice uniforms on a regular basis. If it costs a teacher stipend to get your band in the gym, pay it. If you have to pay a few bucks for a good announcer and music, pay it. These dollars can go a long way to help kids want to be a part of this experience.
Encourage Student Cheering Sections
I saw a Tweet by a coach recently that good cheering sections make up about five points a game for basketball teams. I would argue that it is much much more. Good cheering sections show players that the students have their backs. Who wouldn't want to go play games in an environment that surrounds and supports every team? Mark off a designated section, encourage students to be there (don't charge them to get in), and actually teach them how to be a good cheering section. The kids cheering have a great time and support the players in the game. That's worth a lot more than five points.
Promote Their Work
A few years ago admins were encouraged to use social media to tell their stories. I was shouting this from the rooftops as best as I could. I remember lots of admins taking a firm stand against school social media, but most of them have all come around and can see what a powerful tool it can be. Many schools right now are doing a great job using social media to promote games and events, report scores and most importantly they are celebrating students and their hard work. This is the magic of social media. Kids want to feel appreciated and valued. It is better for them to find that on their school's social media accounts instead of in fake relationships they can easily find online.
I know there are many things outside of our control when it comes to getting kids to play. Sadly, parent and student attitudes might play a part in that. As difficult as these things can be, we should always be working with what we can control. My three suggestions can go along way to encouraging students not just to play, but to be a part of something bigger than themselves. To have so much school pride that they will find ways to participate. Isn't that the goal?
A Note About Coaches
I know there is someone remarking that if the coaching was better, more kids would play. In some cases, this is absolutely true but I want to challenge that thinking. Pay attention to the coaches that stay even though numbers are bad. They care about their kids and their sport. Pay attention to the type of kids that stay with their coach even though the numbers are bad. That means that coach is someone they believe in and will give everything that they have to them. These coaches could easily quit, but they are there for the right reasons. Sadly, this does not show up on the scoreboard. These programs are doing the best they can with what they've got. It is already challenging enough to find ways to win a game (Hoosier style), but to ask coaches to bear the sole responsibility for the numbers game is unfair. School communities can make the biggest impact if we all share the responsibility. The numbers game is OUR game to play.
