Golf and cross country not quite national

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:44AM

Less than two weeks ago a small story crossed The Associated Press sports wire with little, if any, notice.

On Jan. 7 it was reported that the individual members of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) had voted against a proposal that would have allowed the organization to hold national championships in golf and cross country.

Twenty-two states voted for the national championships while 21 voted against it, including the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

A two-thirds majority would have been needed to approve the measure.

According to the AP report, NFHS executive director Bob Gardner said the vote proved "state championships are still the preferred goal in high school sports."

I don't believe that's true.

These athletes are competing all summer and winter long as it is. Nike and Foot Locker hold national championships in cross country already, and golfers are competing across the country in tournaments put on by the American Junior Golf Association.

What would it hurt if the high schools got involved on a national level?

"It would be an exciting opportunity for kids," said West Aurora boys cross country coach Matt Sinnott, whose Blackhawks finished 16th in the Class 3A state meet last fall. "The state competition, especially in Illinois, is tremendous enough. But if you throw in 49 other states it gets really exciting, because that's everybody's best of the best."

Sure, plenty of logistics would need to be worked out, but I like the idea of promoting these particular sports in their off seasons.

I also like the fact that the NFHS has come up with these proposals, rather than athletic apparel or energy drink companies. Since it is made up of the state high school associations, they, most likely, would have to have the best interest of the student-athletes and schools at heart in order to hold national championships.

What's interesting is that the NFHS stopped the high school national basketball championship the University of Chicago held in 1917 and from 1920-1930.

Since then, there has been no formal high school national championship anywhere, in any sport.

But, it's not 1930 anymore. High school athletes are flying all over the world to compete with travel teams, take part in camps and compete against the best. More often than not, these athletes toil in relative anonymity, in and out of season. And as the IHSA continues to add classes, even state championships are beginning to be watered down.

A national championship however, that would raise the profile of not only the teams that win a state title but the sport in which they win it.

"That part would be welcome, to get some recognition for their hard work and to be recognized across the country as a nationally ranked team," Sinnott said. "I think it's a great thing for kids. If it ever came down, I'd be in support of it."

In these sports, I agree wholeheartedly. Specialization and year-round competition is where we're at - and it looks like it's where we're going to stay - so adding a national championship that allows high school athletes a chance to compete as a team, for their school, isn't a bad idea.

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