Every August, hundreds of students learn cheer choreography, practice swimming strokes, and perfect their serve. These students hope to overcome the challenge that every high school athlete faces: the tryout.
Dozens of sports are offered at South High. This year, 131 additional students registered for fall sports on top of the current 362, making almost a third of our student population involved in an athletic team.
Despite the overall increase in enrollment, many teams have been left scrambling to find enough athletes. Others are so overcrowded that additional coaches have been hired. The problem has left people wondering, “What is really going on with sports enrollment at South?”
Four years ago, the boys badminton team struggled to fill a roster due to COVID restrictions. Four years later, over 60 students tried out; now the badminton boys make up one of the largest teams in the district.
On the other side of the field, the girls soccer program has not been so fortunate. Previously one of the most decorated sports teams at South, the Lady Rebels have seen a decline in enrollment. This year, for example, the team has a roster of only 16 athletes, down from last year’s 21. While these numbers may not seem like a drastic difference, even one fewer athlete can burden any team because it means reduced team morale, fewer backup players when someone gets injured, and an unfilled roster. These changes are much more than just numbers to the student athlete population.
“I feel frustrated that there is a lack of interest in certain teams. I know there might be even less enrollment in my team for my senior season, and it’s disappointing for my classmates and me,” said Ella Covitt, a junior entering her third year on the Girls Varsity Soccer team.
With the Lady Rebels struggling to fill positions, it’s clear that sports at South are changing. With many other teams flourishing this season, it’s vital to understand why this is happening.
Maksim Goodman, a junior on the Boys Varsity Badminton team expressed, “In recent years, the student population at our school has become much more interested in badminton. I think this is partially because of the culture and interests differ from many other high schools, and that affects our athletic interest.”
The shifting distribution of athletes is reflective of the shifting student body of South. How this will continue to impact teams remains to be seen.
