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Girls’ basketball participation continues to slide
Sep. 21, 2015 11:37 am, Updated: Sep. 21, 2015 1:31 pm
DES MOINES - Once the undisputed queen of girls' athletics in Iowa, basketball continues to slide down the totem pole in terms of participation.
In figures released by the National Federation of State High School Associations, basketball dropped to No. 4 among girls.
'It's the first time it's been that low,” IGHSAU executive director Mike Dick said. 'We're still not in a danger situation, but yeah, we're still losing some kids.”
Football is the No. 1 sport among Iowa boys, with 19,887 participants in 2014-15. Track and field is second (11,301), followed by basketball (10,925) and baseball (10,407).
Volleyball supplanted basketball as the sport of choice among Iowa girls about 15 years ago, and remains No. 1 at 11,482. Track and field is second with 9,086 participants, and softball (7,869) has surged past basketball (7,747) to move to No. 3.
Despite having the 30th largest state population, Iowa is 19th nationally in participation with 80,744 boys and 55,394 girls competing. The 18 states above Iowa all have higher populations.
'The figures ... speak volumes for the pride and commitment (that) Iowa school administrators and communities exhibit in their activities programs,” IHSAA executive director Alan Beste said in the September IHSAA bulletin, which revealed the survey.
Dick said, 'If we're 30th in population, in theory we should be 30th in participation. The fact that we're significantly higher than that is a very good sign.”
PARTICIPATION FIGURES OF IOWA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, 2014-15
BOYS
1. Football 19,887
2. Track and field 11,301
3. Basketball 10,925
4. Baseball 10,407
5. Wrestling 6,479
6. Soccer 6,265
7. Golf 5,109
8. Cross country 5,223
9. Tennis 2,322
10. Bowling 1,576
11. Swimming 1,344
GIRLS
1. Volleyball 11,482
2. Track and field 9,086
3. Softball 7,869
4. Basketball 7,747
5. Soccer 5,209
6. Cross country 4,741
7. Tennis 3,326
8. Golf 2,994
9. Swimming and diving 1,639
10. Bowling 1,211
l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com
Charles City's Sydney Etherington hugs her coach Matthew Johnson after defeating Waverly-Shell Rock in a Class 4A quarterfinal at the 2013 high school state volleyball tournament at the U.S. Cellular Center. Volleyball remains Iowa's largest sport among high school girls in terms of participation, with 11,482 in the 2014-15 school year. (Adam Wesley/Gazette-KCRG TV9)
Cedar Rapids Xavier and Ankeny battle in the 2012 Class 4A state championship football game. Football remains Iowa's largest sport among high school boys in terms of participation, with 19,887 in the 2014-15 school year. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)
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