District 1 athletics still up in the air

In the midst of the economic downturn, Yuma Elementary District 1 Superintendent Darwin Stiffler assured a crowd of parents, administrators and coaches Tuesday that if the money is there, a vibrant athletic program will prevail in the fall.

District 1 needs to raise $165,000 to continue its current athletic program of five sports each for male and female teams for the next year but as of now there are no identified funds to support athletics, Stiffler said.

"The funding level of schools is going down and may get worse over the next three years but my greatest hope is to establish a stable sports program for years to come," Stiffler told a crowd at the Fourth Avenue Junior High School gym.

This was the second meeting in a week District 1 convened to huddle over a game-winning plan to keep middle school sports on the scoreboard.

"I'll bring a recommendation to the the governing board as long as it's sustainable and practical the district will likely do what you ask," Stiffler said. "But we need to see a critical mass of parents to make it happen. This meeting was well publicized but we need more than was here (35) tonight."

He said that the first thing that must be tackled is raising the funds to assure a quality athletic program. Then a model can be decided upon.

Some of the different models District 1 athletics could adopt would be to repeat the current program or a modified program of only four sports may be implemented or even a two-tier system of sports, Stiffler noted.

Under this program tier one includes all students interested in playing sports. Students will be charged a $25 fee to defray costs. It is basically a skills-building program and at the end of the season intramural squads will play against one another.

Tier two will follow the first-tier season where players compete for a spot on the team and interscholastic games are held over four weeks with a tournament to determine a district champion. Athletes chosen for tier two will pay an additional $10 fee.

Another recommendation is parents take advantage of the Arizona Tax Credit. Lawmakers passed legislation in 1997 to allow couples to make a dollar-for-dollar contribution to any school's extracurricular activities up to $400. Doug Terhark, a Fourth Avenue Junior High School wrestling coach and official said if enough parents chose the tax credit the district could have a fully funded athletic program.

Some parents in the audience volunteered to officiate games as well as coach. Stiffler pointed out however that middle school games begin at 3 p.m. and although that scheduling could be an issue for some volunteer parents it is not an insurmountable obstacle.

Jim Colby, a Crane District board member and former teacher of Fourth Avenue Junior High School said volunteers are a great idea but there has to be a sustainable program because once parents' children are promoted they will transfer their support to their children's high schools. Colby said it is critical elementary school parents get involved now with assisting middle school athletics.

But now is the time to see a committee of parents come forward, Stiffler said.

A.J. Mosqueda, is one of the parents who embraced the ad hoc committee idea.

Mosqueda said she favors the two-tier system because more children will be involved and those who haven't had extensive prior training will not feel left on the sidelines by the more stellar athletes.

"Financially, everyone has been hit by the downturn," Mosqueda said. "The district's primary focus is education but if they can do sports that's great. But parents and business must step up to the plate now."

Another meeting to discuss the future of District 1 athletics is next Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the district offices, 450 W. 6th St.

---

William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.