FALLING BEHIND, INNER CITY SPORTS NEEDS CHANGE!!

 

This high school football season our network had the honor of broadcasting the Senate League game of the week. While it wasn't perfect, the audience, passion, and support for the entire league, players, and coaches was PHENOMENAL! Unfortunately, we won't be covering the Senate league officially next season, But that's not the problem. The problem is what was behind the scenes and games that frustrates the alumni, players, coaches, and supporters of the Senate league and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. 

Let's start from the top. For those not in the know, The Senate league is one of the oldest leagues in Ohio, forming in 1904. The league was formed with core members Central(defunct), Collinwood, East high, East Technical, Glenville, John Adams, Lincoln( now Lincoln west), South, West, and West Technical high school. 

What history doesn't tell you is that some of the most prolific and historic high schools in Cleveland as well as the nation were once members of the Senate league. Saint Ignatius, Benedictine, Cathedral Latin( now Notre Dame- Cathedral Latin), and Holy Name were once members of the Senate league. Yes folks, you read that right those same powerhouse schools you see every Friday on Fox 8 news were members of the Senate league.

With the departure of those said schools the Senate league became the essentially the Cleveland public schools league. The league was still competitive and even went to divisional play in the 80's and ended in the late 90's. Fast-forward to the 2000's when members of this networks staff were student-athletes in the Senate league. When the Founders of this network (Ronnie Henighan and Rommel Thorpe) were Senate League student-athletes most if not all of the schools in the Senate were OHSAA division 1 in all sports. Almost twenty years later in 2021 the Senate is a mere shadow of it's former self. All of the schools are either division 3 or lower.

What's even more disappointing is that the current CMSD administration has NOT stepped up to improve the issues that were lingering when this staff were still students, and before you ask YES! There is a laundry list of issues that are still plaguing the Senate league that can easily be fixed. Don't believe us? Here's the list.

1) CMSD has NOT made Athletics a priority in well over twenty years. Why is this a problem? Simple, there is so much history in this league that's virtually been lost. From basketball, track, baseball, and football. There is so much rich history at each school and the entire league and the new generation doesn't even know it! That's something that the heads at CMSD need to take pride in.

2) It was once said that the Senate league wants to keep up with the suburban schools when it comes to promoting events and making game days better. Well they have fallen behind dramatically and it's a crying shame. With everyone on social media now-a-days it's not hard to get the word out about inner city high school sporting events.

3) We covered several games at what Senate league alumni would call "historic" stadiums, and for good reason. The problem is that these facilities have not been upgraded in decades! Yeah, I get it, the Cleveland Browns stepped in and gave all the Senate league stadiums new artificial turf, but that's where it ended. Case-in-point, John Marshall used to have one of the biggest stadiums and the only stadium with lights in the Senate. Now after tearing it down (something that wasn't needed) it's not even adequate enough to hold more than maybe one-hundred spectators. Bump-Taylor field where Glenville calls home has looked the same for decades. No lights, the bleachers are still the same. No reason any of these stadiums shouldn't be upgraded with state of the art locker rooms, seating for fans and anything else needed for fans and players.

4) Expansion. If South and East high won't be re-opened, it's time to look at adding maybe one to three more teams to make it even again. Maybe even go back to divisional play if this move is made. Several conferences use this format and makes it somewhat a even playing field. Maybe this is a move that should be looked at again.

5) Partnerships! The Cleveland Browns, Cavs, and Guardians are always looking for positive press. Why not form a true partnership with them instead of the traditional timely camps and donations during the summer and before school starts? Also why not partner up with home-based Cleveland companies and even small businesses run by Senate and CMSD alumni to build a better future for these kids. If CMSD really cares about what they say about doing right by the students. THIS ONLY MAKES SENSE RIGHT?

Finally and one of the more important things on this shortened list...

6) BRING THE SENATE CITY CHAMPIONSHIP BACK TO GREATNESS! If you are reading this and wonder why this is so important hear us out. The Senate City Championship is essentially the only real Championship game played in the entire state of Ohio. Every other football conference usually plays their schedule and awards the school that finishes first the conference title. Dating back to 1931, the City Championship was traditionally played after or on Thanksgiving, and played at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This game is still going on and has been the traditional game that kicks off the State playoffs. This game needs to be honored the right way again and either played at First Energy Stadium or one of the local colleges around Cleveland. This game has been played in the city of Cleveland for almost one-hundred years, and should be respected.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. This article was written with the knowledge that some people may not agree with what is written and said, But trust and believe that this was written with a genuine love and respect for the Senate league and the Cleveland Public Schools. There was always a personal question as to why athletes and famous people who graduated from Cleveland public school never returned home and gave back if only once. Now it's understood why. It's because the district hasn't given those of us who want to return home and give back a reason to. To place blame on those of us who won't return home is unfair. To ask the district WHY WON'T THEY FIX IT is the question that needs to be answered.


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