AS YOU WONDER how many players will actually be coming out for your team later this summer, you’ll be interested in the data on changing program numbers from our recent exclusive Gridiron Strategies postcard survey.
When we asked readers to tell us how high school football program numbers have changed over the past 20 years, here’s what we learned:
O In 1980, the typical high school program had an average of 53 players.
O This number increased to 56 players in 1990.
O By 2000, the number had increased to 61 players.
In the 10-year span between 1990 and 2000, some 44 percent of the high school programs represented in our survey reported an increase in player numbers. Another 41 percent of the schools reported a decrease while 15 percent of program numbers didn’t change.
When we asked coaches for the reasons behind the changes in player numbers, here’s what we learned:
1. Enrollment changes (both bigger and smaller), consolidation of schools, new schools, etc.
2. Less emphasis on athletics in high schools.
3. More sport choices, less demanding sports and increased pressure to specialize in only one sport.
4. Going to two platoons allowed more kids to play.
5. No-cut policies encourages more players.
6. Jobs, cars, girlfriends, hanging out and family needs for kids to work all influence player numbers.
7. Too much of a time commitment, especially with weightlifting, conditioning and summer workouts.
8. Football success brings out more players.
For a look at two dozen more interesting reasons for these changes in player numbers in high school programs over the past 20 years that came out of this postcard survey, be sure to check out the Gridiron Strategies Web site at: www.gridironstrategies.com.