Letter: Reader shares appreciation for Xavier athletes

A Nov. 30 letter 'Disparities at play in high school athletics” suggested football championships in classes 4A and 3A were almost preordained. Dowling Catholic and Cedar Rapids Xavier won those titles, respectively. The writer, in effect, said parochial schools dominate public school football teams since the former can recruit throughout the country and dine on massive supporter financial donations.

I am not familiar with funding or recruiting by Dowling Catholic so my comments pertain to Cedar Rapids Xavier. I am a Xavier supporter. I have watched numerous groups of young athletes on football, basketball and baseball teams 'feeding” Xavier High School. Coaches have instilled in them a personal and team goal orientation ... prime reasons for success.

The writer stated parochial schools have an ' ... ability to recruit players at will ...”. The flip side of that coin is public schools can't. Not accurate, if you consider open enrollment under Iowa code. Iowa high school student athletes can transfer among districts if their parents/guardians so choose.

I am not aware that Xavier ever 'recruited” from within the state, or for that matter, from outside. As to 'unlimited budgets” resulting from parochial school donors, the idea locally is far-fetched. The suggestion that recruiting and financing shenanigans are the reasons for Cedar Rapids success, is improper. Xavier athletes are well coached, self motivated, and they know how to win.

Jim Fine

Cedar Rapids