More than 150,000 of Iowa's junior and senior high students played a sport during the 2008-2009 school year. Only 17 other states reported more student participation and all of them are more densely populated.
"I think activities are a real important part of our educational system," says Rick Wulkow, the Executive Director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
Few would argue. At playoff and tournament time in particular, school pride runs deep. Unfortunately, right now, school budgets do not.
Kevin Pederson, the Activities Director at Oskaloosa High School says the majority of the funding for his department comes from ticket sales and fundraising.
"From the school we receive no funds from the general fund."
Last year ticket sales for the regular season generated a little more than $120,000 not enough to cover the cost of competing. Coaches, the community and parents picked up the rest of the tab.
"Boys soccer was an issue last year, where our uniforms were getting old and I had a couple parents come forward and say here's a thousand dollars and here's a thousand dollars," says Pederson.
Declining ticket sales and increasing costs prompted Pederson to start a booster club this year.
"If a team makes the play-off , makes it to the tournament, those booster clubs pick up a lot of the money that maybe you don't have in your account."
Other communities don't have booster clubs and depend on even greater support from individual donations. Curt Johnston, the Activities Director at Eddyville Blakesburg has even reached into his own pocket to make sure students who qualify for state tournaments or meets can compete.
"You're going to find ways to get them there. Because that's an honor. You don't get those opportunities to run on the blue track at Drake all the time. That's something special. So, you're going to make sure they get there and get that opportunity," says Johnston.
Students wouldn't have that opportunity without Wulkow and his Association either. IHSAA helps train officials, provides seminars for students and administrators and most importantly, organizes tournaments, meets and playoff for eleven sports. The cost adds up for the Association too.
"Wells Fargo doesn't just open up its doors and say here you go you can play for free."
The cost to rent Wells Fargo alone came to more than $280,000 last year.
However, some school administrators say the IHSAA is also missing an opportunity to help struggling schools. Only a small percentage of tickets sales from district playoff and meets goes back to host schools.
In football, the biggest moneymaker, schools hosting a playoff game receive 10 percent of gross receipts up to $15,000 and 5 percent of anything above $15,000.
Here's an example. When Valley hosted a playoff game last year, the school collected about $2500. The IHSAA received more than $34,000. The school also pays expenses, like turning on the lights and providing security.
Wulkow defends the formula, "When we start the districts, those are our tournaments. That's how we generate our income at the IHSAA, through gate receipts."
The organization also generates revenue through the Iowa Hall of Pride, merchandise sales, registration of officials and the sale of game balls. Last year, revenue totals topped $4.7 million. Total assets are valued at more than $18 million. Wulkow says that includes $2 million in cash reserves.
The IHSAA spent more than $5 million last year. Putting on the tournaments and playoff games cost nearly $2 million. Salaries, benefits and other compensation for the IHSAA's 15 employees totaled more than $1.4 million.
Wulkow alone received more than $192,000 in compensation and benefits. He also has a $7,000 expense account and the use of one of six vehicles owned by the IHSAA.
When you compare the IHSAA's finances to activities accounts for some schools like Oskaloosa and Eddyville Blakesburg you might understand why some administrators believe they deserve a bigger piece of the pie.
"I wouldn't have guessed it was that high," says Johnston. "Yah, you'd feel like they could give more of a kickback."
"I think activities are a real important part of our educational system," says Rick Wulkow, the Executive Director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
Few would argue. At playoff and tournament time in particular, school pride runs deep. Unfortunately, right now, school budgets do not.
Kevin Pederson, the Activities Director at Oskaloosa High School says the majority of the funding for his department comes from ticket sales and fundraising.
"From the school we receive no funds from the general fund."
Last year ticket sales for the regular season generated a little more than $120,000 not enough to cover the cost of competing. Coaches, the community and parents picked up the rest of the tab.
"Boys soccer was an issue last year, where our uniforms were getting old and I had a couple parents come forward and say here's a thousand dollars and here's a thousand dollars," says Pederson.
Declining ticket sales and increasing costs prompted Pederson to start a booster club this year.
"If a team makes the play-off , makes it to the tournament, those booster clubs pick up a lot of the money that maybe you don't have in your account."
Other communities don't have booster clubs and depend on even greater support from individual donations. Curt Johnston, the Activities Director at Eddyville Blakesburg has even reached into his own pocket to make sure students who qualify for state tournaments or meets can compete.
"You're going to find ways to get them there. Because that's an honor. You don't get those opportunities to run on the blue track at Drake all the time. That's something special. So, you're going to make sure they get there and get that opportunity," says Johnston.
Students wouldn't have that opportunity without Wulkow and his Association either. IHSAA helps train officials, provides seminars for students and administrators and most importantly, organizes tournaments, meets and playoff for eleven sports. The cost adds up for the Association too.
"Wells Fargo doesn't just open up its doors and say here you go you can play for free."
The cost to rent Wells Fargo alone came to more than $280,000 last year.
However, some school administrators say the IHSAA is also missing an opportunity to help struggling schools. Only a small percentage of tickets sales from district playoff and meets goes back to host schools.
In football, the biggest moneymaker, schools hosting a playoff game receive 10 percent of gross receipts up to $15,000 and 5 percent of anything above $15,000.
Here's an example. When Valley hosted a playoff game last year, the school collected about $2500. The IHSAA received more than $34,000. The school also pays expenses, like turning on the lights and providing security.
Wulkow defends the formula, "When we start the districts, those are our tournaments. That's how we generate our income at the IHSAA, through gate receipts."
The organization also generates revenue through the Iowa Hall of Pride, merchandise sales, registration of officials and the sale of game balls. Last year, revenue totals topped $4.7 million. Total assets are valued at more than $18 million. Wulkow says that includes $2 million in cash reserves.
The IHSAA spent more than $5 million last year. Putting on the tournaments and playoff games cost nearly $2 million. Salaries, benefits and other compensation for the IHSAA's 15 employees totaled more than $1.4 million.
Wulkow alone received more than $192,000 in compensation and benefits. He also has a $7,000 expense account and the use of one of six vehicles owned by the IHSAA.
When you compare the IHSAA's finances to activities accounts for some schools like Oskaloosa and Eddyville Blakesburg you might understand why some administrators believe they deserve a bigger piece of the pie.
"I wouldn't have guessed it was that high," says Johnston. "Yah, you'd feel like they could give more of a kickback."
