R.I.P. MIAA "A" Conference Championship

[sparky1]

You mean the same older Gilman friends that hate the fact that the school has gotten a little more "browner" and don't want to come out and say it? I have those "friends" as well.

The MIAA HAS RULES! Biff and Gilman aren't breaking any of them. What right does the MIAA have to come into to Gilman's development office and tell them how they can disperse their financial aid? Are serious? The dumbest thing I have ever heard!

The right the MIAA has is the right of membership. If a team wants to be in a league they have to agree to abide by the league rules. I do not know if Gilman is breaking, stretching, or ignoring the rules, but the MIAA has the obligation to the other members of the league to enforce the leagues rules.

Now the MIAA is largely a toothless organization that has rarely fined or said no to any member. . . and certainly no A conference member, but one of the hallmarks of a league is fairness. If a member is not acting in the best interests the league should look into it. That is the "right" the league has.

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

The right the MIAA has is the right of membership. If a team wants to be in a league they have to agree to abide by the league rules. I do not know if Gilman is breaking, stretching, or ignoring the rules, but the MIAA has the obligation to the other members of the league to enforce the leagues rules.

Now the MIAA is largely a toothless organization that has rarely fined or said no to any member. . . and certainly no A conference member, but one of the hallmarks of a league is fairness. If a member is not acting in the best interests the league should look into it. That is the "right" the league has.

Now this is a different thing altogether. And you're right. But like I said, Gilman isn't breaking any rules and in fact isn't stretching any rules. Should the MIAA make rules that since McDonogh is a boarding school and can get kids from a long way away and has an endowment that allows them to give full rides, that they can no longer do this because its unfair to the other schools(and yes they do this frequently)? Of course not! These ARE PRIVATE SCHOOLS! The finances of these schools should not be in question.

This isn't like getting 5th year senior transfers. That's a different story. This all comes from a lot of a jealousy. Gilman is dominating a league and others feel that it isn't fair. I never thought I would see the day where MIAA schools(mainly CHC supporters) sound like Western Md people talking about Dunbar. The difference is, Dunbar has an advantage by being a Citywide school. Gilman has no advantage over the rest of the league except they have a better program and an administration and coach that backs the team fully.

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

Oh how perfect GA, prove how small you are by throwing out the race card. I am sure you would have no problem saying this to their face. These alumni are no different than the ones at Loyola that donate and fund the scholarships for these "browner" students. We also pushed to get Brant Hall the job at Loyola. He was the perfect choice because he was talented, passionate, and because of his race could better identify with black atheletes to get MORE not less into the school.

The only thing as bad as a racist (and I know there are some at all of these schools) is someone that punks out and throws the race card because they have no valid argument. You are a joke.

This isn't the first time I have said this. You might need to go and check my posts on this in the past. I'm the last person that throws race into an argument, so know what you're talking about before addressing me. But being an alumnus and being in these conversations with many parole on this subject(I'm sure many more than you). The only thing that's different than what Gilman has been doing for many years is the fact that there is more brown faces from underprivileged families at the school. And the truth is not that many. And as usual you're wrong. I have said many times in their face whether or not the issue was because the kids are black and from certain areas.

Do I believe there are other resentments or issues that have nothing to do with race, of course. But I would say that if the majority of these players came from Towson, Roland Park, Ruxton, etc. your and my "friends" wouldn't say ONE WORD!

[eaglesinsider]

The nice thing about the MIAA schools is that all the advantages pretty much even out in the end.

McDonogh has boarding, a huge bus transportation network, financial/scholarship advantages, but they have very strict admissions, a very high tuition and very small classes, they are only bringing in maybe 40-50 new 9th graders, and it's usually a 60-40 female male split, so if you do the math there's not much room for admitting football players.

Gilman has the bus transportation network and financial advantages, as well as having more males per class than McDonogh, but without the boarding.

CHC/MSJ/Spalding have much larger classes than McDonogh and Gilman, and are much cheaper with regards to tuition, have less financial resources, and are able to admit kids that McDonogh and Gilman can't.

McDonogh may only bring in 25 new 9th grade males a year, of which only 5-7 will be good football players.

Gilman probably brings in 35-40 new 9th grade males a year.

Loyola will bring in 55-75

Spalding doesn't have a middle school so they will bring in about 150

CHC/MSJ don't have a middle school and aren't co-ed, so they bring in about 300

So right off the bat, McDonogh and Gilman are at a more than 250 male student disadvantage every year. If it wasn't for the financial advantages of the schools, they wouldn't be able to compete. You need not look further than 30 years ago to see McDonogh was the doormat of the MSA B in football and most other sports until they were able to improve their financial situation and focus on improving athletics.

McDonogh has a similar enrollment to Friends School. Without athletic spending, that's what McDonogh would be, a C Conference school that struggles to get 30 players out for their team and strives to go 5-5 in the C Conference.

[harcohorns]

Before you can argue what is and is not against the rules or pushing the envelope you must first know the rules.. These are the MIAA rules regarding transferns and recruiting

5. Transfer Students
A transfer student is one who changes enrollment from one school to another.

A transfer student who changes schools during the school year and has participated in interscholastic athletics at any level at his former school is ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities for the remainder of that school year. Additionally, that student, if he/she was a varsity athlete at their previous school, is ineligible for participation in that (those) sport(s) for one calendar year from the date of enrollment. A student athlete who is by definition a varsity athlete at a member school may not become eligible to participate at another member school in the next academic year by enrolling in a non-member school for a period of less than one full academic year. Further, a students’ ineligibility to participate is based on his/her participation for the prior year only. A student who plays on a varsity team during one year and does not participate in the year prior to transfer will be eligible to play provided all other transfer criteria are met. Please refer to the definition of a “varsity athlete”.

A transfer student who migrates from one member school to another and was a varsity athlete at his / her previous school is ineligible to participate in that sport at the new school for one calendar year beginning with the first date of enrollment at the new school. If that student was an undersquad athlete (freshman or junior varsity) at his previous school, he / she may transfer without penalty unless transferring under stipulations in paragraph 2.

An Open Enrollment Period will be offered for non-member student athletes. From June 1 through September 1, student athletes transferring from any non-member school to a member school, may transfer to and participate in interscholastic athletics, at any level, without penalty. In order to qualify under this guideline, all appropriate paperwork must be completed and the enrollment contract deposit must be paid on or before September 1. The MIAA reserves the right to request copies of any enrollment contract. The student athlete must physically be attending classes on the first day of fall classes or by September 1. If the opening of the member school is after September 1, the required paperwork and deposit must be complete on or before the September 1st date.

30 Day Rule - A transfer student, regardless of prior participation, who transfers between September 1 and May 30 of any academic year, may not participate in a league competition of this Association until 30 days after the date of enrollment at the new school, which date may not precede the last day of the student’s attendance at the prior school.

Date of Enrollment - Date of enrollment is defined as the first day the student is physically attending classes.

Varsity Athlete - For transfer purposes, a varsity athlete is defined as a student who has competed in any way in a varsity interscholastic competition. Varsity game participation is based on participation in grades 9 thru 12 only. A student athlete is limited to four years of participation in any one sport in grades 9 thru 12.

The only exceptions to this transfer policy are the following:

a) if a student were to change their primary residence; a change in primary residence means a move of more than 30 miles from their present residence.

b) if a student’s present school eliminates the athletic program in which he/she is participating.

c) a student who attends a boarding school for one full academic year, or who resides at a temporary residence to attend another school, may transfer to a member school without penalty regardless of prior participation.
This transfer policy is effective as of June 1, 2009 and is non-appealable.

A transfer student, regardless of prior participation, may not participate in the MIAA until an Eligibility Verification form is submitted to the league office and approval is granted. Additionally, a student athlete transferring from one member school to another may not participate in interscholastic athletics until all financial obligations at the previous school have been satisfied.

[harcohorns]

8. Recruitment
In conformity with the purpose and spirit of this Association, the following principles govern the manner in which member schools influence and encourage a student to become affiliated with a school:

a) No school, through any of its officers, representative or by any other means, shall directly or indirectly offer inducement to a student of any school, regardless of the student’s age or academic grade, to terminate enrollment at said school and migrate to another for athletic purposes.

b) It is considered appropriate for a school’s admissions department to provide a student information about its school; however coaches and other members of a school’s athletic department are prohibited from contacting or communicating with a student or the student’s parents/guardians until such time as an inquiry regarding the student’s possible admission to the school has been initiated by the student’s parent/guardian through the admissions department. This policy does not preclude attendance by coaches or member school representatives to non-high school athletic events for the purpose of screening prospective student athletes. On the occasion that a prospective student athlete or his parents seek information from a member school’s representative attending a non-high school event, the school’s representative may answer preliminary questions about the member school. The school’s representative should indicate to the prospective student athlete and his parents that further contact by an athletic department representative can not be made until the admissions department at the member school is contacted by the parents.

c) Athletes being recruited to member school teams, who have not yet officially attended a day of class and regardless of age or grade, may not practice or participate with a member school team during the regular season. Additionally, they may not participate in any out of season practice or game which primarily involves players from the member school’s team. This does not apply to incoming 9th grade or transfer students who have signed enrollment contracts and are trying out for a fall team.

d) The Association endorses only need-based financial aid and recommends that assistance to students be granted only on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Any member school that awards financial assistance not based upon determined need to students who participate in Association contest is required annually to submit a disclosure statement of such assistance, detailing both the recipients and the amount of aid granted, to the Executive Director for inclusion in the Annual Report of the Association.

[harcohorns]

Based on these rules just about every MIAA school "pushes the envelope" of the rules not just for football but all sports really.. IMO... The way I see it MIAA is at that crossroads... Do they want to open it up and let the privates run amok in recruiting or do they want to bring it back in line with the privates in other states that have to follow state association rules?

This issue is pretty unique to Maryland as it it is one of the very few states (might be the only one) who's privates run completely seperate from state association rules and regs... Many other states are considering seperating private from public but the associations are afraid of losing control over the privates... It is very interesting where this will go not just in Md but nationally and really Md is the case study for the other states at this point....

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

Based on these rules just about every MIAA school "pushes the envelope" of the rules not just for football but all sports really.. IMO... The way I see it MIAA is at that crossroads... Do they want to open it up and let the privates run amok in recruiting or do they want to bring it back in line with the privates in other states that have to follow state association rules?

This issue is failry unique to Maryland as it it is one of the very few states who's privates run seperate from state association rules and regs... Many other states are considering seperating private from public but the associations are affraid of losing control over the privates... It is very interesting where this will go not just in Md but nationally and really Md is the case study for the other states at this point....

By the way, the 30 mile rule is no longer in effect. Not sure why they still have this on the website. We broached this subject about a year ago when all the talk was about a certain Dunbar star trying to transfer to CHC.

As far as pushing the envelope, I would agree with you that every school pushes the envelope somewhat. We have talked about this ad naseum on here. The issue that people are upset about is Gilman(Biff) giving monies to kids. Nothing that is going on at the school is breaking the MIAA rules.

[harcohorns]

By the way, the 30 mile rule is no longer in effect. Not sure why they still have this on the website. We broached this subject about a year ago when all the talk was about a certain Dunbar star trying to transfer to CHC.

As far as pushing the envelope, I would agree with you that every school pushes the envelope somewhat. We have talked about this ad naseum on here. The issue that people are upset about is Gilman(Biff) giving monies to kids. Nothing that is going on at the school is breaking the MIAA rules.

As long as Gilman or any other school can produce the aide was "needs based" and a system for determining need is in place and verifiable then yes you are correct. I think what some folks are saying is the MIAA is turning their back on the "need based" criteria along with certain entrance grades and test criteria that "used" to be in effect for entrance into these schools... Look as I have said over and over again I applaud these schools opening the doors and diversifying over the years but there is a cost and there has to be some sort of regulation... or maybe their doesn't have to be.. You certainly could let any private just do what they want but their will be backlash... Obviously the old guard wants to protect the elite status of the school they went to as it gives them a sense of pride. This is why I say this is such an interesting development...

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

As long as Gilman or any other school can produce the aide was "needs based" and a system for determining need is in place and verifiable then yes you are correct. I think what some folks are saying is the MIAA is turning their back on the "need based" criteria along with certain entrance grades and test criteria that "used" to be in effect for entrance into these schools... Look as I have said over and over again I applaud these schools opening the doors and diversifying over the years but there is a cost and there has to be some sort of regulation... or maybe their doesn't have to be.. You certainly could let any private just do what they want but their will be backlash... Obviously the old guard wants to protect the elite status of the school they went to as it gives them a sense of pride. This is why I say this is such an interesting development...

You see this is when speculation comes into the picture. Do you or anyone else knows that Gilman is lowering standards to let kids in? I don't and I'm pretty close to the program. The kids that I know are there now are all great students and doing very very well. When you're in Gilman you have to be able to do the work. I can name(and I won't) three kids in the last 4 years that were let go because of academics. One who return to the school this year and another who as there since kindergarten and was kicked out because of grades. Gilman has a no tolerance approach about academics. In fact, they are tougher now than they were when I attended the school over 20 years ago.

[fylde5]

This isn't the first time I have said this. You might need to go and check my posts on this in the past. I'm the last person that throws race into an argument, so know what you're talking about before addressing me. But being an alumnus and being in these conversations with many parole on this subject(I'm sure many more than you). The only thing that's different than what Gilman has been doing for many years is the fact that there is more brown faces from underprivileged families at the school. And the truth is not that many. And as usual you're wrong. I have said many times in their face whether or not the issue was because the kids are black and from certain areas.

Do I believe there are other resentments or issues that have nothing to do with race, of course. But I would say that if the majority of these players came from Towson, Roland Park, Ruxton, etc. your and my "friends" wouldn't say ONE WORD!

Odd that you would say you are the last person to bring up race. In all of these discussions you are the ONLY one to bring it up. It is also ironic you slipped and used the word parole in your comment above.

Finally I would say "your and my friends" have nothing in common and have a completely different set of priorities because it is the alumni that fund the St. Ignatius Loyola Academy in Baltimore, none of whose students come from Towson, Roland Park, or Ruxton. The students are in fact black and they do come from those "certain areas" your friends don't like, but guess what, my friends still don't say a word.

Maybe there is a difference between a school that has begun to use a slogan of "men for others" among the football team and a school that has had it as it's school motto for generations. I guess the difference is we mean it, and live it long after we have left.

[harcohorns]

You see this is when speculation comes into the picture. Do you or anyone else knows that Gilman is lowering standards to let kids in? I don't and I'm pretty close to the program. The kids that I know are there now are all great students and doing very very well. When you're in Gilman you have to be able to do the work. I can name(and I won't) three kids in the last 4 years that were let go because of academics. One who return to the school this year and another who as there since kindergarten and was kicked out because of grades. Gilman has a no tolerance approach about academics. In fact, they are tougher now than they were when I attended the school over 20 years ago.

I am pretty sure absolutely EVERY private school can make the same claim..

Every private school has kids they didn't let in that were great athletes, every school has kids that failed out. Heck I know of a kid from Curley that had a offer from MD that they cut loose because of grades.. Even take Red Lion and for all the drama and things said about them I know of personally of at least 10 great players they denied access too.. One of them was player of the year in DE at the public he ended up at.

Point being I agree with your "perception" argument knowing many kids that were denied entry or put out of school due to behavior or grades... But that doesn't mean that the standards have not been lowered in the last decade because they have. but for many reasons like diversification, lower enrollment , economy and yes the the nationalization of HS football etc....

To put this another way.. If you are a C or above average student, can test in the 50th percentile and a great athletes(or have the money) you can gain entry into these schools... This is due to ecomony, lower application numbers, and a host of other reasons... Its not just football or sports drivinglower standards its maintaining enrollment numbers in a down economy and a lower number of applicants due to parents are less and less to pay for education as Maryland Public schools are getting better particualy in the counties like Harford, Howard, Frederick etc

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

I am pretty sure absolutely EVERY private school can make the same claim..

Every private school has kids they didn't let in that were great athletes, every school has kids that failed out. Heck I know of a kid from Curley that had a offer from MD that they cut loose because of grades.. Even take Red Lion and for all the drama and things said about them I know of personally of at least 10 great players they denied access too.. One of them was player of the year in DE at the public he ended up at.

Point being I agree with your "perception" argument knowing many kids that were denied entry or put out of school due to behavior or grades... But that doesn't mean that the standards have not been lowered in the last decade because they have. but for many reasons like diversification, lower enrollment , economy and yes the the nationalization of HS football etc....

To put this another way.. If you are a C or above average student, can test in the 50th percentile and a great athletes(or have the money) you can gain entry into these schools... This is due to ecomony, lower application numbers, and a host of other reasons... Its not just football or sports drivinglower standards its maintaining enrollment numbers in a down economy and a lower number of applicants due to parents are less and less to pay for education as Maryland Public schools are getting better particualy in the counties like Harford, Howard, Frederick etc

You can definitely not a be a C student and get entrance into Gilman. You would have basically no xhance in succeeding in the Upper School. Now you can be a B Student with extracurricular activities and gain entrance. Where as a kid with the same GPA without any of these activities would not. But this isn't exclusive to football or athletics.

And yes all schools can make this claim but I only speak of Gilman, since this is something I know as facts.

You can tell by the rise in the number of enrollments of all these schools in the last 20 years to see that they are letting more students in. Those this mean that they are lowering standards, maybe maybe not. No one knows this to be fact unless they're apart of the admissions office of these schools. All I can say that it's Gilman's mission to have diversity. Diversity is apart of the school's mission statement. This is nothing new and in fact I would say that Gilman has a lot less kids at the school now from "underprivileged" backgrounds than they did when I went there. And his isn't something that's up for debate because its something I know personally from the past and from now.

[harcohorns]

See that is the problem with "perception"... it becomes the truth in the court of public opinion... This is what Gilman purists, Bosco purist , Loyola, CHC etc.. all are guarding against... History of the school does not matter when public opinion labels you with the "football factory" label.. Not to harp on Red Lion but it is germane to this discussion... I personally know Red Lion had an entrance testing process and a process for needs based aide.. but it did not matter,, The DIAA succumbed to public pressure and popular opinion and ignored facts and figures and so did the press... Its no different for anyone else.. Bottom line is Gilman is labeled with the football factory label and no amount of posturing about history and and what the school always was will change it... The only people who will get it it those close to the program that know the truth..

See the issue is the truth doesn't matter... popular opinion does and that is what the "old guard" 0r non progressives are concerned about as they know tradition and reputation is only as good as the current popular opinion and the opinion of those outside the program is Gilman is a "football factory" just like Dematha, Good Counsel, ECA, STA, Bosco etc... is what its is...

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

See that is the problem with "perception"... it becomes the truth in the court of public opinion... This is what Gilman purists, Bosco purist , Loyola, CHC etc.. all are guarding against... History of the school does not matter when public opinion labels you with the "football factory" label.. Not to harp on Red Lion but it is germane to this discussion... I personally know Red Lion had an entrance testing process and a process for needs based aide.. but it did not matter,, The DIAA succumbed to public pressure and popular opinion and ignored facts and figures and so did the press... Its no different for anyone else.. Bottom line is Gilman is labeled with the football factory label and no amount of posturing about history and and what the school always was will change it... The only people who will get it it those close to the program that know the truth..

See the issue is the truth doesn't matter... popular opinion does and that is what the "old guard" 0r non progressives are concerned about as they know tradition and reputation is only as good as the current popular opinion and the opinion of those outside the program is Gilman is a "football factory" just like Dematha, Good Counsel, ECA, STA, Bosco etc... is what its is...

True, Gilman has a perception of being a "football factory" but unlike those other schools, Gilman still stands in HIGH HIGH REGARD as an academic institution. It is unlike any school in the country to be honest, when it comes to their football program and the academics. Now this is the issue that arises with certain alumni and the program. But a lot of Gilman's alumni issues stems from the fact that thier little Johnny's traditional minutes are being taken away from what they believe are "outsiders." There's a lot of issues when you go to a old boy school like Gilman.

Like I said, perception is one thing, truth is another. Guys like Darius Jennings(who wasn't recruited but was their since 2nd grade), guys like Cyrus Jones who graduated with a 3.5. Multiple guys in the IVY that were recruited. Guys like Devon Porchia who was recruited and a youth league superstar but actually won the Gilman senior class mathematics award. Guys like Micah Kiser that could go anyway in the country without football. Guys like Robert Branch and Dorian Maddox that are actually young for their class. It's a lot of people that assuming things without knowing the truth.

On another note Happy New Year from Cabo, I still have an hour and half left before 2013!

[dunkone]

True, Gilman has a perception of being a "football factory" but unlike those other schools, Gilman still stands in HIGH HIGH REGARD as an academic institution. It is unlike any school in the country to be honest, when it comes to their football program and the academics. Now this is the issue that arises with certain alumni and the program. But a lot of Gilman's alumni issues stems from the fact that thier little Johnny's traditional minutes are being taken away from what they believe are "outsiders." There's a lot of issues when you go to a old boy school like Gilman.

Like I said, perception is one thing, truth is another. Guys like Darius Jennings(who wasn't recruited but was their since 2nd grade), guys like Cyrus Jones who graduated with a 3.5. Multiple guys in the IVY that were recruited. Guys like Devon Porchia who was recruited and a youth league superstar but actually won the Gilman senior class mathematics award. Guys like Micah Kiser that could go anyway in the country without football. Guys like Robert Branch and Dorian Maddox that are actually young for their class. It's a lot of people that assuming things without knowing the truth.

On another note Happy New Year from Cabo, I still have an hour and half left before 2013!

Gilman no doubt has a stellar reputation when combining academics and football...but speaking of perceptions..your statement "Gilman has a perception of being a "football factory" but unlike those other schools, Gilman still stands in HIGH HIGH REGARD as an academic institution"..you included Dematha as a school perceived to be one not held in high regard academically...now, i have heard that on some level before...if people actually took a serious look they would find that DM has alwats had a high number of high achievers in football...you mention some of gilman's...quick look at DM's..Lorenzo waters recent big-east all academic team, mike milburn(delaware) was national honor society and class president...jonathan mason(harvard) just got accepted in to harvard business school...jordan lomax(Iowa) graduated with a 4.o, troy bullock graduated with close to a 4.o(signed with georgetown), ashby christian(naval academy-need I say more), honestly, i could go on an on...but people will only want to remember the kid that may have sstruggled( as some kids do, football or not)the term "football factory" accompanied with success can cause some warped perceptions

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

Gilman no doubt has a stellar reputation when combining academics and football...but speaking of perceptions..your statement "Gilman has a perception of being a "football factory" but unlike those other schools, Gilman still stands in HIGH HIGH REGARD as an academic institution"..you included Dematha as a school perceived to be one not held in high regard academically...now, i have heard that on some level before...if people actually took a serious look they would find that DM has alwats had a high number of high achievers in football...you mention some of gilman's...quick look at DM's..Lorenzo waters recent big-east all academic team, mike milburn(delaware) was national honor society and class president...jonathan mason(harvard) just got accepted in to harvard business school...jordan lomax(Iowa) graduated with a 4.o, troy bullock graduated with close to a 4.o(signed with georgetown), ashby christian(naval academy-need I say more), honestly, i could go on an on...but people will only want to remember the kid that may have sstruggled( as some kids do, football or not)the term "football factory" accompanied with success can cause some warped perceptions

I'm not saying that DM(or the others)isn't a quality school or that they don't produce high academic individuals. But Gilman is a different sort of school. It's definitely considered one of the upper echelon academic institutions in the state. For instance, there has never been a Gilman athlete that didn't qualify for college. The other schools can't say this.

[Oldtime]

I'm not saying that DM(or the others)isn't a quality school or that they don't produce high academic individuals. But Gilman is a different sort of school. It's definitely considered one of the upper echelon academic institutions in the state. For instance, there has never been a Gilman athlete that didn't qualify for college. The other schools can't say this.

Just another defenseless statement by you, that Basketball powerhouse Georgetown Prep can make the same claim, as well as Landon and Bullis. Get out of that small pond, Baltimore, many outside of B'more have never heard of Gilman.

[pmore108]

Honestly, I thought it was stupid for the MIAA to have a playoff in the first place. Maybe a "one-off" game after thanksgiving for the top two teams would be enough? I don't buy at all that this is some conspiracy by the Catholic schools (sounds too much like mid 18th century anti-Catholic prejudice, lol) to ruin Gilman and McD. Also, I think it's ridiculous for the other members to be scared of those two institutions leaving. Who cares? If they do, the other schools will go on and so will Gilman and McD.

As far as recruiting and breaking MIAA rules: I agree with the folks (on this board GA) that say a private school and individual can do what they want with their money. Legally that is correct. With that said it doesn't mean a football at any cost mentality is ethical or beneficial. In ten years if the medical consensus is that 12-14 year olds should not be playing contact football will anyone feel good about "recruting" the best kids for a high school team? A little perspective is needed I think.

[GREYHOUND ALUM]

Just another defenseless statement by you, that Basketball powerhouse Georgetown Prep can make the same claim, as well as Landon and Bullis. Get out of that small pond, Baltimore, many outside of B'more have never heard of Gilman.

All good schools what's your point? I don't actually live in Baltimore full time and am from NYC and MANY PEOPLE in NYC have heard of Gilman. This is from personal knowledge. Maybe you should get out of Montgomery County because obviously you have no clue what the hell you're talking about.

Georgetown Prep is not nor never have been a basketball powerhouse. They have been pretty good in the past but never a Powehouse. There's no school nationally with the academic reputation in the Top 500, probably 1000 in football as Gilman.