Concerns recruiting by local charter school
By Savannah C.
In the heart of the greater Cayce, West Columbia area, Airport High School and Brookland-Cayce High School have been heated rivals since the beginning. With the new addition of a charter school, Grey Collegiate Academy added a new dynamic for both schools.
This past year the South Carolina High School League reclassified and realigned regions throughout the state. In the Region 4 A division, Airport High School saw a familiar foe and controversial area charter school added to an already tough region. Aiken, Airport, Midland Valley, North Augusta, and South Aiken, saw the additions of Brookland-Cayce, Gilbert, Gray Collegiate Academy.
Unfortunately, these local schools have been competing in the same division for several years, and now face the challenge of a local private school joining their division. This school is Gray Collegiate Academy. Now, while it isn’t unlikely for these public schools to compete against private schools, in specific scenarios like scrimmages. Gray Collegiate Academy is now causing an uproar due to the accusations of recruiting local athletes from the Airport High School and Brookland Cayce Athletic Programs.
Airport and Brookland Cayce made the decision early on to not allow their Junior Varsity sports teams not to compete against Gray Collegiate Academy Sports. In my opinion, this was a smart decision. According to The State newspaper, “Lexington 2 high schools Airport and Brookland-Cayce are declining to play the War Eagles in junior varsity games in any sport.”
While some may fear that this was an unfair decision, it was extremely smart on behalf of these two Lexington Two schools. As a student athlete, I believe that what Gray Collegiate Academy has done to not only our sports teams, but our schools as a whole, is unfair. I have personally felt affected by the decisions made by these schools. It is evident that this school is up to something that has yet to come out to the public. While anyone can make assumptions, there are statistics to back up claims. Including the fact that 400 of Grays' 496 student body come from outside their attendance zone. This should be a red flag to anyone in the community.
As a student athlete, the concerns stem from the effect recruitment processes have on our academic and athletic performance. For many athletes, and students, it is difficult to cope with the feeling of having friends, teammates, and classmates pack up and leave their school and community they have grown up in. Specifically for athletics, it makes the process of making teams and planning sports seasons more difficult.
To back up the alleged claims of potential recruiting, the state recently released an article about a Gray Collegiate Football coach recently getting suspended and fined for recruiting a middle school student. “Gray also was fined $2,500 and placed on warning status for one year.” While Gray is still allowed to compete in the playoffs, it definitely does not help their case very much in gaining support from the community.
Due to the 10-2 vote for the $500 fine, and forfeit, Gray Collegiate Academy will be ineligible for the 4A Football Playoffs.
When asked how she feels about Gray Collegiate Academy joining our region, Senior Volleyball Player, Katie C., said, “I feel like it’s caused so much unnecessary drama, and that there should be a charter school region, or private school region, instead of going to a public school.” It certainly has caused lots of drama. Whether this be between parents, coaches, and even former teammates who have played together in the past, this is what is causing the rift between athletes and schools.
When asked how she feels about having to compete with Gray this upcoming season, and how it is different from other schools, Senior Basketball Player, Jasia B., said, “It feels kind of good because, for both girl's basketball teams, it would be a good game, and really competitive. It’s different because we aren't used to playing in a region with them, we just have to see how that plays out.” Although athletes feel that these experiences will be different, it is good to know that there is some excitement and enthusiasm for our sports teams. It is definitely important to have high hopes and expectations for our teams.
As student athletes, it's hurtful to us, due to the fact we know we must compete against fellow teammates and friends. It hits close to home knowing that there is some potential foul play behind these decisions. Now, while it isn’t necessarily not normal for students to move schools, it's hurtful to know that in these cases and circumstances, they are for more of a purpose, to prove something and win. High School is much more than just sports and winning championships.
It deeply saddens many that some are willing to give up these relationships that have been built up over time in order to prove a point, or feel the joy of winning. With that being said, as a community, it is definitely important to speak about these issues, and bring the topic to the surface. While some may feel as though it doesn’t affect our community, it does. We have to remember how this is affecting our schools, and future student bodies.
If you would like to read more about the claims made by Gray Collegiate Academy, you can check out https://www.thestate.com/. There are some very informational articles written on these topics. I encourage all students and parents to bring up concerns on these issues to the school board, and even the South Carolina High School League. A good way to show support for our Lexington 2 Schools, you can check out the Airport and Brookland-Cayce web pages .https://ahs.lex2.org/, https://bchs.lex2.org/