Class System

[HShockeywatcher]

If that happened I wouldn't argue one bit. The only problem I have is with having rules/guidelines but not seeming to be consistent. People single out one school or another because of their name but don't understand the implications of what they are saying.

[fairplay]

The two class sysem was created to give the "disadvantaged" (size, location, demographics, etc.) the opportunity tocompetre against each other in a State Tournament. One could argue that Sibley is disadvantaged in hockey -they lose players to STA, CDH, AHA and HM - I think they should play in A. As for almost all the privates (except the inner city teams like St. Agnes, SPA, etc.) - they should all opt up. They take the opportunity away from the truly disadvantaged. They should play with the big boys - and all programs go through competitive ups and downs. I think they should opt up in all sports, in my mind. What satisfaction does STA get by dominating swimming - with their own pool and kid's resources to train year around with the best available. And that is an individual sport where teamwork means nothing.

STA beat HM this year, Marshall beat CDH - the top A's can - and should - take the challenge and play with the bigs. They might not win as often - but when they do, it will mean something.

[HShockeywatcher]

If teamwork meant nothing in sports like track, swimming, cross country, etc St Thomas wouldn't have TEAM titles or be winning true team. But oh well.

It's a class system, simple as that, that's why they don't opt up. It's not some power trip or anything like that, it's a class system, MSHSL put them in a class and that's the class they stay. A sport like swimming is based on times, so you can just figure out how you would've done in the other class if you really need to.

Where does it end? Someone who went to St Thomas many years ago donated the pool to the school, then they had to have help from alumni and from UST to get the ice arena. And it is probably more than paying for itself. You are basically putting down success. It's the school wanting to provide what it can for the students and help from alumni. If it wasn't for help from alumni, those things wouldn't be there. Why can't the alumni help in the other communities?

[fairplay]

Hockeywatcher...it does seem like a "power trip". The MSHSL gave the option for schools to move up hoping for integrity and sportsmanship to prevail. STA is not "locked" into Class A. They weren't as successful before the Vanelli's got there - but it is well known that the Vanelli's overtly recruit hockey players. I wonder how many of these "recruits" pay full tuition, too?

Like I said in my previous post - all those privates should opt up. I agree with Nuetron on this - don't try and water down the essence of the Class system.

STA should try moving up - you might not win as much, but when you do, it will mean something.

[HShockeywatcher]

Can we talk about any of 152 other teams out there? St Thomas has nothing to do with what this topic was originally about.

The last thing I'll say is that I've commented on St Thomas with everything I know about why they won't opt up and although it's all true people continue to tell me I'm wrong. If you really have an issue with it, proving something to me isn't going to change anything. Write a letter or call the school.

[fairplay]

OK - your poll results answer your original question.

Somehow, it always seems you are trying to legitimize STA's accomplishments... and its great to support your school and it is a good school.

But you wouldn't have to constantly do it if they played up where they belong - and a little class and humility would go a long way in changing the Cadet's image.

[HShockeywatcher]

It would, you are right. So, why don't the people who are putting them down for no reason start with that?

Somehow other people always bring up St Thomas. This topic had nothing to do with them and other people brought them up. If they belonged somewhere else, the MSHSL would put them there.

[fairplay]

I think it does have something to do with STA - and Duluth Marshall, Breck, Totino, etc....I think most people think that they are screwing up the intent of the two class system.

Don't hide behind the MSHSL guidelines.....like I said before - these schools have the option to play where they fairly belong (like HM, AHA, CDH, Roseau) - they just don't have the integrity to do so.

[boblee]

No reason to change it.

[ACTUALFORMERPLAYER]

If teams were not allowed to opt up, Roseau would arrange co-ops with non-hockey playing schools until they had a high enough enrollment to be considered AA.