Dr. Jack Welch From the Bleachers

March 13, 2025

The Belton Journal

From the Bleachers When I hear people claim that athletics are costly to school districts, I want to shout that they do not understand the facts. In many communities, there is ongoing controversy over the cost of athletics, with some believing that all available funds should be directed solely towards academics. What these individuals fail to realize is that investing in student engagement programs, including athletics, is an academic investment. School districts allocate funds to extracurricular programs because educators understand that engaged students achieve greater academic success. Athletics, the arts, and other extracurricular activities are essential tools for student involvement, which directly contribute to academic achievement. In my opinion, all these programs are academic in nature.

Another crucial factor is that school districts receive funding from the state based on student attendance. The state education finance system compensates districts according to their average daily attendance, meaning that higher attendance results in greater funding. Students involved in school activities, including athletics, tend to have better attendance, higher grade point averages, and lower dropout rates.

Beyond the financial benefits, the primary purpose of athletics and other programs is to help students become productive citizens while receiving a quality education. That’s why I believe it is essential to offer as many extracurricular opportunities as possible. The more engagement, the better.

As a former high school athletic director, I encouraged our coaches to include as many players as possible on their teams for academic reasons. While large teams can sometimes pose challenges, I advocate for hiring additional stipend-only coaches to oversee sub-varsity teams. This approach allows more students to participate without disrupting varsity dynamics.

As a former high school athletic director, I encouraged our coaches to include as many players as possible on their teams for academic reasons. While large teams can sometimes pose challenges, I advocate for hiring additional stipend-only coaches to oversee sub-varsity teams. This approach allows more students to participate without disrupting varsity dynamics.

So why don’t all districts follow this model? The answer is leadership perspective. Some school board members and superintendents prioritize cutting participants and staff to save money. However, when participation rates and attendance decline, they often realize their mistake.

Through collaboration with our district budget administrator, we found that athletics accounted for only 3.2% of the total district budget. This covered all sports for two junior high schools and one high school, with a total of 1,884 participants. The per-student cost of athletics was only $335.20, and the student-to-athleticstaff ratio was 23.5 to 1.

The next time someone argues that your local district overspends on athletics, explain to them how student participation boosts both academic success and financial support for the district



Thought for the week, “Education cost money, but then so does ignorance.” Claus Moser Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and professional football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com