Save HP Junior High Spring Sports sign now

I believe the Hazel Park School District, and/or the Hazel Park Board of Education should allow us (the concerned citizens, along with all friends and family members) to take over the funding of Hazel Park Junior High Spring Sports. Before the board decides to cut sports entirely in the spring or any future seasons; we should be given an opportunity to try and raise funds. These funds can be raised through pay-to-play, various fundraising methods and/or obtaining donations. I have contacted the MHSAA and they do not have any specific regulations regarding a schools fundraising efforts. There are some talented young athletes in the city and this would put quite a damper on their future endeavors as well as drive down their morale. Cutting these sports is taking away a chance for many children to experience the opportunity to be on a team and feel the camaraderie associated with that. This is the first chance some of the kids have had to play on a fast pitch softball team, a baseball team, and to participate in track and possibly others. If there is a chance we can save the programs we should at the very least be given the opportunity to try. Please sign this petition if you agree that we should be given a chance to save these programs.

The following information regarding sports was taken directly from the Hazel Park High School website:
http://www.hazelpark.k12.mi.us/schools/hphs/programs_athletics.php

Jack Roberts, Executive Director of the Michigan High School Athletics Association, used a recent speech to highlight some facts which demonstrate why students should get involved in sports. Here are some excerpts from that speech:
Participants in school activities generally have higher grade point averages, lower dropout rates, and better daily attendance.
Participants in school activities have fewer discipline problems, and lower rates of tobacco and alcohol than other nonparticipating students.
Participants in school activities feel better about school and about education.
Of course, having fun and excitement are good reasons to play, but here are a couple of facts which show that there is much more to it:

"95\% of 'fortune 500' executives participated in school athletics (only 47\% were National Honor Society members)." -Fortune Magazine

"Extracurricular participation is a school's best predictor of an adult's success."
-Douglas Heath, based on a 40-year survey.