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From the Hip: Despite challenges, high school football in Wisconsin continues to thrive

08/19/2016, 8:30am CDT
By Travis Wilson

The game of football has been under fire by many critics in recent years, including some in the media. After all, it's an easy target, with criticisms of the professional game trickling down to the high school and youth levels as well. It is en vogue to take shots at football for being too violent, too dangerous, and something that will not last the next few decades.

In Wisconsin this year, three 11-Man football teams have canceled their seasons in the last few weeks, with a pair of 8-Man teams suffering the same fate. It led to numerous questions about the sustainability of high school football, especially in the small schools. Newspaper articles and internet commenters rushed to forecast the demise of high school football.

However, despite challenges faced in the arena of public opinion, the actual game at the high school level in the state of Wisconsin remains strong. 

In data provided by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, while overall high school enrollment in the state of Wisconsin (public and private schools) fell by 3,094 students from the 2014-15 year to 2015-16, the number of players out for football at the start of 2015-16 was 883 higher than the previous season, this despite four fewer teams overall.

An analysis of enrollment and participation data provided by the WIAA shows no significant change in the overall participation rate in high school football over the last 16 years. In 2000-01, the first year private schools joined their public school counterparts in the WIAA and the first year full data is available, the beginning-season football participation rate amongst all high school students was 9.50%. Outside of several years where full private school enrollment information is not available, which skews those seasons, the football participation rate has remained between 9.12% (2003-04) and 9.63% (2001-02). 

The participation rate for the 2015-16 season of 9.46% was the third-highest of the last 16 years (not counting the years of no enrollment data for private schools). So, in the face of increased publicity about concussions, heat-related dangers, etc., the sport continues to be the highest participation sport in the country and the state at the high school level, and the participation rate has been largely unchanged for nearly two decades.

While it is true that the raw participation figures for football are decreasing over the last 10-15 years, it is a result of decreasing populations in the state of Wisconsin more than a decrease in the interest or participation levels.

The WIAA and the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association have done a great job trying to spread the message about the measures taken in recent years to make football even safer, with numerous studies continuing to show that football is as safe as it has ever been. But public opinion and the shots taken at the game in the media are an ongoing challenge.

Both the WFCA and the WIAA, along with the schools impacted by low numbers in football programs, have to search for solutions to ensure that those student-athletes and communities that want to continue the sport of football have that option. As evidenced by recent rules changes that make the game safer as well as increased support of 8-Man football, the leadership in the state remains proactive and I trust will continue to do so. No one wants to cancel a season, especially right before games begin.

There is a sense among some that the start date of football, which has crept into the end of July the next two years, is chasing away players. While that may be the case in some isolated instances, the overall participation numbers continue to show no significant change. Many coaches cite other reasons (sport specialization, not going to start on varsity, jobs, etc.) that players have given for not coming out for football.

It is important for everyone to be up front and honest about the possibilities of injury and the out-of-season work it takes to be involved in football. But it is also important to continue to spread the word about the measures taken to improve the game, and wherever possible, cultivate a sense of excitement, not trepidation, about high school football.

As a former football player under coach Jim Harris and WFCA Hall of Fame coach Avitus Ripp at Richland Center High School, I can certainly attest to the many positives that I took from the game, and can tell you unequivocally that I have no regrets about coming out for football my sophomore year after choosing not to play as a freshman. It is a great game that you will cherish for the rest of your life. 


The following participation and enrollment data was provided by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Key:
Season - Season of data
Start - Number of high school players participating in football in Wisconsin at start of the season
End - Number of high school players participating in football in Wisconsin at end of the season
Teams - Total number of teams (11-Man and 8-Man combined)
Public - Enrollment at public high schools in Wisconsin
Private - Enrollment at private high schools in Wisconsin
Total - Total enrollment in Wisconsin (Public + Private)
FB Rate - Percent of all high school students (male and female) that participate in football at the start of the season
Start to End % - Number of players at start of the season divided by number of players at end of season

Football Participation & School Enrollment Data

Season Start End Teams Public Private Total FB Rate Start to End %
1990-91 26361 24350 390 92.37%
1991-92 28868 26340 384 91.24%
1992-93 28790 26400 388 91.70%
1993-94 29706 26978 388 90.82%
1994-95 30170 28347 389 93.96%
1995-96 30868 28271 390 91.59%
1996-97 31662 28408 390 89.72%
1997-98 30883 28525 390 92.36%
1998-99 29796 27863 389 93.51%
1999-00 31392 29441 390 93.79%
2000-01 32907 31235 430 304519 24193 328712 9.50% 94.92%
2001-02 33205 31618 430 304133 24047 328180 9.63% 95.22%
2002-03 32182 30278 430 305653 ^ 305653 9.91% 94.08%
2003-04 31821 30055 429 305495 23956 329451 9.12% 94.45%
2004-05 32862 29743 431 305669 ^ 305669 9.73% 90.51%
2005-06 32414 30596 434 302481 24016 326497 9.37% 94.39%
2006-07 33349 31709 434 303496 ^ 303496 10.45% 95.08%
2007-08 33792 31281 433 301571 ^ 301571 10.37% 92.57%
2008-09 32073 30465 432 295357 ^ 295357 10.31% 94.99%
2009-10 30896 29442 430 288971 23289 312260 9.43% 95.29%
2010-11 29807 28495 427 283053 23257 306310 9.30% 95.60%
2011-12 29582 28404 427 278500 22781 301281 9.43% 96.02%
2012-13 28868 27800 430 275426 22970 298396 9.32% 96.30%
2013-14 27993 27079 430 274759 22572 297331 9.11% 96.73%
2014-15 27014 26545 430 264550 23169 287719 9.23% 98.26%
2015-16 27897 26925 426 260841 23784 284625 9.46% 96.52%

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

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