SPORTS OPINION: Random musings
Here we go again. In less than two weeks a new sports year for the high schools will begin. In reality, high school sports are all yearround nowadays as they mimic colleges. They have their formal UIL seasons but from then on, the athletes continue to play or practice as expected by their coaches. Even though the UIL has specific rules concerning practices and prohibits certain practices it is understood if one does not carry through with stated expectations, they will not be considered when the season begins. Most expected practices are usually expensive for the parents. They are either hiring private coaches or getting on the travel teams and spending big bucks there, whether they can afford it or not. Many have purported to have spent 20% of their income on a child each year. All of this to just have a chance for their child to make a team. Hard to have empathy for those who complain it is putting a financial hardship on them when they have a choice in that decision.
There are five sports that get their year started in August. Last year all had their schedules re-worked due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and will be looking forward to a standard season. Volleyball hits the floor running beginning the first week of August and usually plays pretty close to a third of their season before September. Last year they finished third in district but put it all together in the playoffs to make it to the state tourney.
Football was really affected by the pandemic as they had three district opponents not be able to play due to it. They finished as tri-champs and returned their QB and top running back to make another strong run at the championship.
Crosscountry is another strong sport for Dripping Springs and they too will be off and running, literally, in August. Last year the girls team qualified for the state meet and the boys would have qualified for regional and possibly state except for Covid rules preventing it.
Although golf does not conclude until Spring, the boys and girls get in half of their year in the Fall. Covid rules denied the boys a place at regional with their third place finish.
For the school year 1997-98, the UIL set up a new prize to reward schools that had succeeded in overall UIL programs. It is called the LONE STAR CUP trophy. Points are assigned to all the UIL sponsored activities, including not only sports but band, academic, etc. District champions, playoff teams, playoff success all help to accumulate points as the year progresses. The more of everything you compete in and succeed at the better your standings.
When one checks out the top ten over the years, it shows a similar result as one sees in playoff results each year. The same teams seem to be at or near the top each year. Usually schools are at or near the top of their enrollment in class. They are affluent and can afford some of the expenses needed. Much has to do with the old real estate cry of location, location, location. Some get a break in the district they are assigned and even so far as the region you are located in. Dripping Springs has been the recipient of all but has always prefaced that with having very good programs year in and year out that compete under all circumstances.
That very first year for the Lone Star Cup was very special for Dripping Springs as they won the Cup for the 3A class in a tie with Aledo. Since then they have ranked in the top ten seven times. Most likely that would have been eight if the 2020 year would have been allowed to continue. 2005:T-8th, (4A); 2009: T-10 (4A); 2010: T-7 (4A); 2017: T-6 (5A); 2018: T-4 (5A); 2019: 2nd, (5A); 2021: T-7, (5A).
One of the observations in my 56 years at Dripping Springs is how well the school and staff have always leaned over backward to make room for every student to be able to participate in as many UIL activities as they want and to help strengthen each activity to best represent the Maroon and Gold. In many schools that is not always the fact. The UIL offerings have always been for the kids and that should not be forgotten.