Sunday, July 15, 2001
High School Insider
CPS aims to build better programs
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Competing at the varsity level in sports other than boys basketball has been tough for teams from Cincinnati Public Schools.
Coaches frequently cite the lack of funds, facilities and commitment to the junior high programs, where athletes should gain valuable experience, as causes of this problem. So Cincinnati Public Schools athletics director Dave Dierker has been spearheading a drive to expand sports programs at the lower-level schools.
“We're starting this year with 32 seventh- and eighth-grade volleyball teams, with each playing 14 matches,” Dierker said. “Coaches have been hired and equipment purchased to make it a first-class program.”
Only Walnut Hills has fielded a competitive volleyball team during the past 10 years. Many schools, such as Aiken, Taft and Woodward, have struggled to get enough players to field teams the past three seasons.
In football, 19 junior high teams have been formed, combining athletes from 35 schools. Transportation will be provided to and from practices and games.
Although there were only 15 junior high track teams last season, Dierker is confident the number will more than double in the near future.
“Look at how well the Dayton, Cleveland and Columbus public schools do in track,” Dier ker said. “There's no reason why our athletes can't compete if lower-level programs are started.
Recognition is also an important element in the revitalization effort. An awards banquet was held at the Montgomery Inn Banquet Center in May, and the Ted Gregory family provided meals for the athletes.
At the high school level, a student activity coordinator was hired to evaluate and improve the athletic programs.
Dierker said many facility improvements also
have been made. The Cincinnati Bengals donated $50,000 for new lights at Aiken's football field, and lighting also has been improved at Withrow and Western Hills.
A community group, headed by Bob Roncker, is also raising money for an all-weather track at Withrow, which could be ready for use in a year.
There also are plans for adding soccer, golf and cross country teams and upgrading other programs.
“There's a lot of interesting things going on,” Dierker said. “Surveys show that kids do better in school when they're involved in athletics. Our superintendent (Steven Adamowski) understands this and is 100 percent behind making it work.”
BACK ON COURT: Some might wonder why a 56-year-old former coach and player who has experienced only one losing season would want to come out of retirement to take over a boys basketball team that went 1-21 last season. But Jerry Couzins, a former standout guard at McNicholas (1961-63) and the University of Cincinnati (1965-67), has been hired by Turpin to bring respectability to the program.
“It's been interesting, because the past five years I've only been an observer,” Couzins said. “I kind of missed it and I'm looking forward to the challenge.”
Prior to accepting an assistant principal position two years ago at Turpin, Couzins was principal at McNicholas (1995-99) and spent 15 years as an assistant principal and boys basketball coach at Mariemont. His only losing season came in 1981-82 with the Warriors.
“Don't hold me to it, but my coaching record at Mariemont was something like 240-120,” Couzins said. “We reached the regional finals in 1982-83, which is the farthest we went.”
In time, he thinks he can develop success at Turpin.
“It will probably take two to three seasons to build the program,” Couzins said. “We had a good sophomore and freshman class, and the kids are real eager.”
Under normal circumstances, assistant principals aren't permitted to coach in the Forest Hills School District.
But, when a part-time assistant principal position was created, Couzins volunteered for the job, allowing him to take the coaching position.
“I've been in administration for five years, and this causes you to lose that personal touch with the kids,” Couzins said. “We want to make it fun, but we also want to win.”
Turpin plays in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Buckeye Division with Winton Woods, Anderson, Amelia, Glen Este and Northwest, all of which have bigger enrollments. But beginning in the 2003-04 school year, Turpin and Northwest will switch to the Cardinal Division to compete against schools their size.
“I've never played on a losing team and coached only one,” Couzins said. “It's a long way back, but we hope to field a competitive team in a tough league.”
COACHES WANTED: Anderson is looking for freshman football coaches. Call Mike Morgan at 232-2772, ext.2928, or Vince Suriano at ext.2991.
Williamsburg has the following coaching openings: athletic director, girls varsity soccer coach and girls varsity and reserve basketball coaches. Call Jane Barre at 724-2211 ext. 305.
Blanchester is looking for a head wrestling coach with teaching experience in business or physical education. Call Rick Burton at (937) 783-3523, John Skaggs at (937) 783-2461 or Ron Duncan at 683-0056.
Contact Dave Schutte at 768-8447; fax: 768-8550; e-mail: dschutte@enquirer.com.
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High School Insider
