Typically
you get letters and articles about politics and such, and I’m not sure if this
counts as an “and such”, but the topic is very simply, Our Local Sports
Programs (& Our Kids that Play Them), and the regulatory agency that profits off of them when it seems convenient.
I was on Twitter the other night,
and I asked a gentleman associated with a local online station that covers
Middletown High football, pretty much; “Hey, what gives? You did games right
along, and now that we’re in the Playoffs, you bail on us? What’s the deal?” He
politely informed me that the CIAC, (Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic
Conference) charges stations wishing to have the right to broadcast the playoff
games $200 per game!
I happen to know that the station
has been covering Middletown and area sports for years now, is an all- volunteer
station. While they have sponsors, that’s just so they can keep the lights
on. No one there is drawing a salary. They do this for the kids and they’ve
always done this for the kids. So, the question is; why, all of a sudden, does
the CIAC need to charge a station $200 when that station has been doing games
right along all year, for free?
CIAC, by
the way, is also supposedly a non-profit organization. Furthermore, if a
television station wants to broadcast a game, it’s a $1000 charge per game. Is
Channel 3 paying this? Are Channel 8, 30, & 61 paying this? The point is,
why is a supposed non-profit organization, suddenly deciding that they need this
money; just because kids achieved their goals, and won? Is this how we support
our kids? By further separating them from media coverage they so rightfully
deserved, because a non- profit station that was there from day #1, suddenly
can’t, because they can’t swing two hondo’s?
I’m
sorry, and this message is directed at CIAC: CIAC, you are hindering our children’s
success. Instead of supporting them, and letting them get the notoriety they so
deserve, instead, you’re holding them hostage. These kids are on the verge of
college. On the verge of the rest of their lives, and their success means
nothing to you, and that, is sad.
Sincerely,
A Terribly Disappointed Middletown High Parent
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