Welcome to the Spring 2023 Sports/Activities Season! We are very excited to be able to offer an increased variety of sports and activities to all our students. Currently, our Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Tennis and Boys’ Volleyball seasons are well underway following another year of Fall and Winter activities. Like in past years, some seasons went exceptionally well, and others didn’t last as long as we had hoped.
Regardless of the win or loss record of seasons, school sports help to develop our students by instructing lessons in life such as teamwork, accountability, self-confidence, responsibility and self-discipline. Bunker Hill CUSD 8 firmly believes and supports the development of the “whole child” as evidenced in our mission statement: Inspire, Empower and Innovate.
We are proud to be able to offer these extra-curricular opportunities for our students to experience the love of a game/sport, but also to feel a sense of belonging to a group/team. At the high school level, sports become more competitive and oftentimes decisions are made for the benefit of the entire team/program in order to provide our students with another joyful experience: the joy of winning games. Across the district, from the Board room to the practice gym, this is supported and promoted to our many coaches and volunteer coaches.
Recently however, coaches, referees and officials across the state of Illinois have encountered heckling, verbal abuse, and even cancelled student athletic contests over violence and brawls in the stands as the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) referenced in a message last week https://bit.ly/3TUmYcn
While I am extremely thankful for the courtesy, respect and support shown by Bunker Hill 8 families, our district has experienced its share of negativity in this area. We currently have 5 coaching vacancies available, and like other districts, are dealing with a shortage in referees and officials. Both the IESA and the IHSA have repeatedly attempted to address the rise in negativity toward coaches and officials by both increased sanctions for those that exhibit unsportsmanlike behavior and incentives for those who exhibit good sportsmanship; yet the problems appear to persist.
What can we do to help the situation?
-- First, remember why the vast majority of coaches devote countless hours at practices, games/meets, preparation, travel, and paperwork. It’s not for the salary (when I coached back in the early 2000’s I calculated my hourly rate at $2.50/hour). In my nearly three decades in public education, I have observed firsthand that people are drawn to coaching for the chance to make a difference in the lives of students, love for the sport/game, and a desire to work with young people.
-- Second, consider coaching if you have a vision to improve our programs. We currently have five (5) coaching vacancies to fill before next year. To learn more and/or to apply, visit: https://www.bhcusd.org/page/employment
-- Third, support and respect your child’s coach(es) in public and especially in front of your child(ren). As parents, we are role models, and our children pay attention while taking cues from us on what is acceptable behavior. We lead by example. Yet we also recognize that any organization can always find ways to improve, and our groups/teams are no exception. However, we respectfully ask that any suggestions/constructive criticism be shared with the coach at the appropriate time (never right after a game) and in the appropriate manner (email or meeting).
-- Finally, share the good stories and positive experiences via social media! Tag your child’s coaches (if on social media) or use the hashtag #BHill8. Share a compliment or favorite photo to the schools’ Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
We have so much to be proud of in our district, and our story is worth sharing!
As always, thank you for your continued support of our schools!