AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > June > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US‘Two-a-Days’ exposure too much?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The good ol’ days are gone for high school football.
Where local media used to be the only outlets paying attention to local teams, national outlets are showing more and more interest. Small towns like Hoover, Ala., used to have their beloved teams all to themselves. Then came MTV’s “Two-a-Days” program, which took the Hoover team to a national, reality-TV level.
And now, Hoover’s football program is entrenched in a grade-changing scandal that has caused the resignation of athletics director Jerry Browning, who cited philosophical differences with the school’s leaders, according to the Birmingham News. Former U.S. district judge Sam C. Pointer Jr. will lead the school’s investigation.
The Hoover High program wanted widespread attention. But the result is not the sort of spotlight some metro area coaches would like to have.
“I’m not real crazy about opening up our program for everyone else to criticize it,” said Marist coach Alan Chadwick, who has led the Eagles since 1985. “A lot of coaches want to be in that situation, where football is an end-all deal. And that’s kind of losing sight of what high school sports should be about.”
While Chadwick might turn down MTV if its suitors came calling, Woodstock coach Mike O’Brien — a 12-year coaching veteran in the state and former Valdosta coach — indicated he would lean toward embracing the exposure, if given the opportunity, for the interest it would generate in his program.
Most coaches are going to have their own philosophy, but the question becomes whether it’s good for high school athletes to be exposed on a Hoover-type, ESPN-type level.
You make the call: Are scandals the by-product of such TV shows? Are 16-year-olds equipped to handle it? Would you want your school to sign on with MTV or ESPN if it meant greater exposure for the team? Debate starts here.
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Comments
By jeez
June 22, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
Yes - high school sports get too much attention! Not only at the national level, but also at the local level! No way should a paper like the AJC be covering high school football. Leave it for the local community papers.
By Belin
June 22, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
at least these cast members would actually DO something besides drink and sit in the hot tubs.
I think it’s a great idea, of course parents would have to work a little harder to keep their kids grounded - no pun intended. When they get the celeb treatment, it tends to make them nuts for awhile.
By SHS c/o 2001
June 22, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
As a ‘01 graduate from Sprayberry High in Marietta, I would favor a “Two-a-Days” style program on the Yellow Jackets. I would love to see my alma mater in the national spotlight, much like Hoover (or Parkview/Brookwood/Harrison/Valdosta for that matter).
The exposure is good for the money that would be pulled into the program and could elevate the quality of facilities and coaching hires. Perhaps it could lead to a better product on the field. There is some potential for abuse or for a negative impact on the school community, but from what I saw, the kids at Hoover were already used to this type of exposure and popularity. The biggest negative impact would be raising the profile of a group of students that is already separated from their peers in school, but for many of the Hoover Bucs, they are being offered scholarships at the next level of football and would have felt separated from the general student body anyway. These kids are all over national websites like Scout and Rivals anyway.
I think that the long term interest among the local community would likely increase with a national television show and the Yellow Jacket program would be better for it.
By laneyva
June 22, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
They need to come down to Augusta, GA (past Lincoln County) LOL… to Laney.
By CO
June 22, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
Good Topic Jeff:
I think, personally, that the show would be more interesting if it decided to do different programs around the country. They need to highlight the good programs, and programs that don’t have the budgets and facilities as the Hoover, De Le Salle’s and Marits’ in the world. HOw about schools like Camden Co., Valdosta, Northside-WR, Stephenson, SWD, Marist..
At the end of the day, its about ratings and demographics..
By SHS c/o 2001
June 22, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
I also believe that it is important to realize that athletic success and the raised profile that comes with it can spillover into other aspects of the school, namely academics. By bringing in more exposure, and more money, the school can improve in all areas of student life, not only in athletics. I believe that many school administrators would agree.
By smileswiper
June 22, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
I would like to see them come to thomaston ga to UpsonLee high school. They would get a kick out of the in bred tobacca chewing coaches there. YO BARNEY run 52sweep past the cow pasture LOL
By Jeff Haws
June 22, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Good point, CO. One thing Chadwick talked about in our conversation was how he didn’t think Marist was in a situation where they would be sought out for such a program. The reason being that Marist doesn’t have that little town surrounding it that lives and dies with every Friday night. The Marist community is more spread out, and the community attachment (especially among those who don’t have kids at the school) probably isn’t quite as intense as a Hoover. I’d think places like SWD and Stephenson would be the same way.
On the other hand, Valdosta, Camden and N-WR could fit the bill quite well. O’Brien talked about how that is sort of a “South Georgia thing” and how the community’s attachment to the football team is very different in a Cherokee County than it is down in Valdosta or other smaller communities in the southern part of the state.
By zombieboy
June 22, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Local HS foosball is just another outlet for gambling.
Some of the black guys at work were all over that.
By Yo
June 22, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
Hoover is basically a wealthier suberb of Birmingham. Much like the oforementioned Atlanta area schools are to Atlanta (excepy in some cases forget the wealthy). There is nothing small town about Hoover, Al.
By Cobby
June 22, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
South Georgia football is a religion—- it has gone too far. Mike Obrien was smart to get out of Valdosta.
By MiddleGA
June 22, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
I think it’s naive to try to link grade-changing with reality TV shows (as you did in your closing questions)
Grade-changing for athletes (or children of prominent parents, or whatever reason) existed well before the show or even before MTV for that matter.
By Casey
June 22, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
Woodstock sucks! Go Etowah Eagles!
By Dave
June 22, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
I watched a few episodes of Two-a-Days, but quickly grew tired of the coach concluding every pep talk with “Jus’ bate the pee-yus out uv ‘em!” He certainly understands what interscholastic sports is supposed to be about.
By BOB
June 22, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
TWO WORDS THOMAS JEFFERSON BACK TO BACK STATE CHAMPIONS
By SHS c/o 2001
June 22, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
You make a good point, however, if you look to programs such as Parkview and Brookwood (and developing at Collins Hill and Buford) the town really embraces the local hs team and the attendance at their stadiums, and their crowd when they are represented in the Dome every year, indicates that it is possible to develop that “small town feel” in the metro area and get people to buy in more to the local school.
Even if area residents do not have children enrolled in the school, one can argue that they still have a stake in the success of the school. Better schools contribute to higher land value. As I mentioned later in the comments, I believe that notoriety and achievement in athletics strongly correlate, and contribute to, a better all-around school environment. Thus one can draw a correlation between a great high school football team and increased profits for homeowners in that district.
(BTW, I am aware that this is a stretch, but it may have some validity to it.)
By Jeff Haws
June 22, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
MiddleGA:
And drunkenness existed before Budweiser.
Doesn’t mean drinking it can’t lead to inebriation.
By Andrew
June 22, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
laneyva, Why would anyone want to pass up beautiful Buddy Buffod field?
GO YOU RED DEVILS!!
As for the topic of the post: Look at MV7. Too much fame before he was mature enough to handle it will be his undoing.
By MiddleGA
June 22, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Jeff - yes, but you’re helping make my point … unless you believe that the elimination of Budweiser would suddenly halt drunkeness.
Grade-fixing existed before reality TV, it can exist during, and it would continue to exist were it to suddenly go away.
You seem to be suggestion causation and I just don’t see it. If it happened at Hoover during the TV show (and I have no idea at all whether it did or didn’t), I’d say the motivation would have existed regardless of the TV cameras.
By Jeff Haws
June 22, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
MiddleGA:
I’m really not trying to suggest anything. It’s more about stimulating a discussion on the subject. There’s certainly no way to say grade fixing and other such scandals would go away if national media exposure did so.
The question is whether said exposure could create an environment in which rules violations like grade fixing are more likely because so much money suddenly rides upon these players being on the field on Friday night. In this environment, would teachers be more likely to be pressured into manipulating grades?
This is the discussion in which I’m interested. I’m not necessarily taking a firm stance on it, but I’m curious to hear takes from people in the community. Thanks for contributing to the discussion, MiddleGA. Your input is appreciated.
By High School Football
June 22, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Hey all, first of Sprayberry wouldn’t even see an MTV truck with in 20 miles of it’s football stadium that haven’t WON A GAME IN 5 years. I think it’s a great Idea u just have to watch yourself more on camera, I mean the camera caught a hoover player cheating on a math test, WHY WOULD U cheat ever, its a great idea, High School sports need a lot more exposure!
By hoover
June 22, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Jeff what do u think of a program like that coming to Saint Pius, Tucker or SWD
By hoover
June 22, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Jeff what do u think of a program like that coming to Saint Pius, Tucker or SWD
By Braves Fan 79
June 22, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
High school football is boring..who cares about all the overhyped big egoed kids anyways?
By Jeff Haws
June 22, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
hoover-
St. Pius is in largely the same boat as Marist. A private school with its students living all over the place. I’d say its location, so congested right by the interstate, wouldn’t really help.
Tucker and SWD have the same problem, IMO: no stadium. The stadium becomes the shrine to which the community’s fans worship all season. I think an on-campus (or at least close-by) stadium is absolutely essential for a documentary-style program like this one.
As far as the metro area goes, the ones that come to mind that would be the best choices for this sort of deal (strictly from a “community involvement” perspective) would be Cherokee, Harrison, Sequoyah, Decatur and Marietta. I’m certain there are several others that aren’t coming to mind at the moment, but those are some of the ones I think could work, location-wise.
By thehillisreal
June 22, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
Your kidding right?Westlake,Creekside, Sandy Creek,Star Mills,Landmark Christian(chik fila high)East Coweta, Newnan all tuck in on southside with in 20 mile radius.Give about 2 years for the new school in SWATS,South fulton high with brian jordan development of MIL plus housing.
By thehillisreal
June 22, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
Your kidding right?Westlake,Creekside, Sandy Creek,Star Mills,Landmark Christian(chik fila high)East Coweta, Newnan all tuck in on southside with in 20 mile radius.Give about 2 years for the new school in SWATS,South fulton high with brian jordan development of MIL plus housing.
By GC
June 22, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
It’s time for MTV and Two-A-Days to move on to another school, maybe Independence (Charlotte, NC), Southlake Carroll (Texas). Hoover lost the state championship game last season and their reign over large-class football in Alabama is currently on hold. Find another school in another place where football is king.
To have had a show around like Two-A-Days when Parkview was on top would have been interesting. Francoeur was a superstar and there were other rock stars on the team too…Beyond that, Cecil Flowe and Rush Propst are brothers from another mother…
By John
June 23, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this
Hoover is NOT a small town. It is a very rich part of the “over the mountain” section of Birmingham. That said, high schools should play normal schedules with schools in their states.
By Jeff
June 23, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
** To: SHS c/o 2001
Maybe you have not been watching Sprayberry HS lately. I don’t think they have had a winning record in 20 years. The coaches act like they know it all and by the winning percentage they are putting up they are far from knowing anything about winning football games. I always thought high school sports was supposed to be free. Not at Sprayberry High. You see at SHS if you don’t pay you don’t play ummmm a lot of kids are not able to pay the $300.00 to play football so they sit on the sidelines watching. It just so happens that they are the one’s with the talent. Instead the coaches put the a* kissing soccer moms kids in the game. Maybe thats why they don’t seem to be able to win more then 4 games in a season. You see at SHS it’s all about who is lining the pocket with money not who can block the line. This is FACT not fiction. Sprayberry High School is so turned upside down. I know it’s hard for the coach at SHS to see the truth when he cant get his head out of his a* and see the real talent.
By Smack Down
June 23, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
** To: SHS c/o 2001
Maybe you have not been watching Sprayberry HS lately. I don’t think they have had a winning record in 20 years. The coaches act like they know it all and by the winning percentage they are putting up they are far from knowing anything about winning football games. I always thought high school sports was supposed to be free. Not at Sprayberry High. You see at SHS if you don’t pay you don’t play ummmm a lot of kids are not able to pay the $300.00 to play football so they sit on the sidelines watching. It just so happens that they are the one’s with the talent. Instead the coaches put the a* kissing soccer moms kids in the game. Maybe thats why they don’t seem to be able to win more then 4 games in a season. You see at SHS it’s all about who is lining the pocket with money not who can block the line. This is FACT not fiction. Sprayberry High School is so turned upside down. I know it’s hard for the coach at SHS to see the truth when he cant get his head out of his a* and see the real talent. **
By prattville noles fan
June 23, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
It’s interesting to hear from everyone about how their schools would/would not fare on the 2aday shows. Our high school,(Prattville High) beat Hoover for the championship last year & we have only lost 2 games over the last 3 years. Once to hoover in the championship game in 2005 & the other in the playoffs in 2006.
Attendence was around 30-35,000 at the game last year, we brought 20,000. Hoover fans in attendence were only about 10,000. The rest were Birmingham residents who wanted to see Hoover lose because of their arrogant reputation…
Hoover has the reputation because of the arrogant reputation of their coach. He has used the 2aday show to do nothing but try to further his coaching career. To see him publicly begging for several Alabama coaching jobs (UAB,Samford) last fall/winter was absolutely sickening.
Watching him from the 2aday show and in Alabama media, he is the type of coach that shows everything that is wrong with high school football. It wouldn’t surprise me if at some point, his name surfaced as a major player in this grade fixing scandal.
High school football is king in the south, esp. Bama/GA. but you can have successsful programs with coaches who care more for the kids then themselves…
By Knows The Score
June 23, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
What you’re going to learn in the next few weeks (perhaps days) is that this isn’t so much a Hoover scandal as it is an Alabama scandal. The player whose teacher was threatened with firing (and who was eventually fired for refusing to participate in academic fraud) is a high-profile Alabama recruit, and the administrators who leaned on and fired the teacher is are Alabama boosters. The press in Birmingham is scared to death of crossing all the wealthy UA boosters over there, so the facts are being kept quiet for the moment, but that won’t last.
By Mike R.
June 23, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
mtv blows, to begin with. anything mtv does should be banned, and the footage burned…and about high school getting that much exposure…its going to create a lot of pressure on these kids, and that might result in more kids taking steroids so they can perform better in front of the cameras…this is common sense, and if you have played yourself, you know what I’m talking about.
By Mike In Woodstock
June 23, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Um…..these are kids in High School….nothing more. Anyone who lives in a major metropolis and obsesses about it should probably get a hobby. It’s funny though how when you live in a small town, everyone lives and dies by it.
By Lee
June 23, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
There was waaaay too much emphasis placed on football when I played 30 years ago, and it has done nothing but got worse and worse.
Back in my day, the PE teacher was the head coach. Assistant coaches were regular teachers whose only experience was that they played high school ball way back when.
Nowadays, you have a school that goes out and recruits and hires a Head Coach. This coach will often bring his assistant coaches with him and the school will find a spot for them - often, some BS job such as In School Suspension teacher.
Sadly, these kids see college players enter the NFL draft after their second or third year to million dollar bonuses and they think they can do that as well.
Hey MTV, you want to do a reality show, how about showing one of these Hoover hotshots about ten years after high school. Working in a dead end job, married (or maybe divorced) with two kids, every bit of his paycheck going to a payment of some kind.
Now that’s reality.
By Uncle Rico
June 23, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
I could throw a pigskin a mile back in ‘82…..If only the coach had put me in…..
By nathan
June 23, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
who cares about this it happens all over
By yeah
June 23, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
go providence christian football! undefeated since 1991!!!!!!!!!!!!
By yeah
June 23, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
go providence christian football! undefeated since 1991!!!!!!!!!!!!
By jw
June 24, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
The financial rewards for the total school should be considered, not just the football/athletic program. Why not choose other level schools? We all know about tradition rich schools, why not the good mid level programs, too? We might be interested in how they go about business - WITHOUT transfers and stuff.
By jim
June 24, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
My son was in Hoover HS, but we will be moving to South Georga, now i am looking for the best high school’s program football. . What do you recommend
By Technician
June 25, 2007 6:43 AM | Link to this
Just think, had the TV series been featuring Parkview, we might have had an inside look at the coaches dancing at the prom that night!