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Many school systems are looking at ways to trim athletic schedules for area high schools to save money in a tough economy.
A local athletics director had a brilliant idea for Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Schools should eliminate conference tournaments instead of removing regular-season games.
It would allow local schools to keep moneymaking nonconference games on the schedule, games coaches feel they need to get ready for the important conference games. It would also open up a week at the end of the season for something that could potentially be a big moneymaker for CMS: city championships.
Ultrasuccessful in places such as Pittsburgh, Pa., and New York City, city championships in multiple sports could work well here, I think. Two groups have approached CMS in recent years about running a basketball city championship with a sponsor. It's a great time to start talking about that again.
One other point here: With travel costs becoming more of an issue for many schools, CMS should end a 25-year-old rule against playing private schools in regular-season games (they can play in tournaments).
The Bojangles' Shootout holiday tournament has shown us that the public-private games draw big crowds and these ready-made rivalries are right here in town. Travel costs go down, and kids get home earlier from games.
Want a good family night out? Try the Carolina Speed indoor football team, which plays at the Bojangles' Coliseum. The next home game is May 30 against the South Carolina Force. Tickets are $10, $15 and $25. The Speed has a few players with local ties, such as former Garinger star Troy Pelshak and former Independence star DeAngelo Lloyd.
The Speed is 4-5 but 2-0 under new coach Ben McGarity, who started in midseason. With five games remaining, the team has a shot at the American Indoor Football Association playoffs.
The high school sports community lost an old and good friend Sunday when Tony Leigh died after a battle with cancer. He was 60 and coached football, baseball, girls' basketball, softball and track at Bessemer City, East Gaston, Kings Mountain and West Lincoln high schools. His last job was as defensive coordinator at West Lincoln.
N.C. State men's basketball coach Sidney Lowe will be in Gastonia June 3 at Big Man's BBQ & Seafood for a coaches' caravan. Information? dpowers@carolina.rr.com
Hickory Ridge High soccer coach Mike Raymond plans to take 14 of his varsity soccer players to Guatemala for a week this summer. The team will play soccer in villages, do some light home building and drop off food for needy families. Good for them.
