Brainerd Hockey on Life Support.....

[Cornermukker]

Brainerd ISD 181 made their HS sport cuts known tonight as part of thier 5.5 million in budget cuts for next year. They need to cut out 860,000 from Activities and Athletics. As a result one of the sports they will be cutting is both Boys and Girls Hockey.

They cut 17 of 29 sports. They will only have these other 17 if... a group of fundraisers are able to raise approx 220,000 by April 1st. These fees would go toward helping families who qualify for aid, help pay for the activity fee for each sport which would be 390.00. If they do not raise this amount in that time, they will offer 12 HS sports, hockey is not one of them..... With 3 weeks to go they are well short of thier financial goal.

Sad day....

[GopherPuckPlayer]

Wow thats not cool, I hope it is not true, I love the rivalry between LF and Brainerd! Hopefully something will happen, and happen quick!

[Goldy Gopher]

Brainerd ISD 181 made their HS sport cuts known tonight as part of thier 5.5 million in budget cuts for next year. They need to cut out 860,000 from Activities and Athletics. As a result one of the sports they will be cutting is both Boys and Girls Hockey.

They cut 17 of 29 sports. They will only have these other 17 if... a group of fundraisers are able to raise approx 220,000 by April 1st. These fees would go toward helping families who qualify for aid, help pay for the activity fee for each sport which would be 390.00. If they do not raise this amount in that time, they will offer 12 HS sports, hockey is not one of them..... With 3 weeks to go they are well short of thier financial goal.

Sad day....

If that's true that's really brutal. Brainerd has always been a solid hockey town.

[ap4mvp]

Brainerd ISD 181 made their HS sport cuts known tonight as part of thier 5.5 million in budget cuts for next year. They need to cut out 860,000 from Activities and Athletics. As a result one of the sports they will be cutting is both Boys and Girls Hockey.

They cut 17 of 29 sports. They will only have these other 17 if... a group of fundraisers are able to raise approx 220,000 by April 1st. These fees would go toward helping families who qualify for aid, help pay for the activity fee for each sport which would be 390.00. If they do not raise this amount in that time, they will offer 12 HS sports, hockey is not one of them..... With 3 weeks to go they are well short of thier financial goal.

Sad day....

I hate to see this happen even to the cake eaters of Brainerd but my hometown of Little Falls went through the same thing a few years ago but then eventually passed a referendum, I hope Brainerd does the same thing. I do have relatives that are in the Brainerd youth hockey program and feel bad that all the money they spent to have their kids play hockey is going to waste and they will not be able to see all five of their boys play warrior varsity hockey together. If the cuts go through the only possibility I see is for the hockey players to open enroll or co-op with Little Falls or maybe the North Lakes team. If the funds are not reached and a co-op happens with Little Falls I'm sure Little Falls will be move to AA. I hope the hockey team is saved and the rivalry between the Flyers and Warriors will continue. If the would have played together this year I would have to admit that watching all them D-1 players on the same team would have been fun to watch.

My buddy darkdemon and I can do are part in saving Brainerd hockey by having another Polish Sausage and kraut benefit supper........details coming soon.

Honestly I hope the hockey program is saved.

[Cornermukker]

My understanding of it is that for a co-op to work, the larger school is the actual school that holds the sport. So niether LF or Pequot could be the lead for a co-op w/ Brainerd.

For those of you that hope it is not true, I am sad to say that I was at the meeting and it is very true.

There are some families that will have to make some hard decisions about hockey here in the near future. I hope not, I hope that the money is raised so all sports can be available, but right now it is going to be tough.

[Mite-dad]

Is there somewhere we could send donations?

[Blue&Gold]

I can see this starting to happen in many areas of the state. What will come of this? More AAA programs just like the rest of the country, or juniors, junior gold, etc.?

We have to remember that the role of the school is to educate first and foremost. As a tax paying member of society it's important to see that the dollar spent is helping the most.

Good luck Brainerd, you aren't the last to have to deal with this, I'm sure.

[darkdemon]

This is truly disappointing to say the least. High School sports are needed to keep kids in school. Doing away with hockey I really don't understand that. Hockey is expensive in terms of ice time but is all honesty I probably generates quite a bit in revenue as well. Education is important but if there is no sense of belonging to a school or school pride why would you want to attend?

If I wasn't so broke from paying higher education I would love to make a donation to the hockey team and that alone not the school district. Minnesota is the state of hockey lets keep it that way by keeping hockey in our high schools.

Also the school district really blew a ton of money on building the new Forestview middle school in Baxter. Sounds like its administrative's fault don't cheat the kids because of your stupidity and greed for an elaborate middle school.

[Stealth]

First, sorry to hear of the troubles. You are only probly the first?

Cornermukker, when I have been to Brainerd I also hear that the city wants out of the arena? My guess would be that the youth program needs to finds the funds for that too? Is this right?

Second.

I always felt that Hockey has always gotten the shaft.

A way to save money for a school district would be to make ALL junior high (7th & 8th grade) sports done under the youth program. Hockey is the only one that I can think of where you keep you child in till Bantam/ Jr. Gold and then the school pick ups the kids once making the JV / Varsity school hockey program. That could 10th grade for some.

Watch other youth sport programs, baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, you get the idea! The parent walk away from the youth programs at the tiny grade after 6th! Everyone pays for there Childs youth sports in some away. But not ours.

It would be NOTHING for the school district to say. “We are canceling all athletics in the Junior High level to save monies equally across the sports. We are asking the already well organized youth programs will KEEP their children for TWO more years or till they can excel at playing High School level.”
Is this too simple?

[Irishmans Shanty]

Hockey in Brainerd will survive if players' parents agree to take on the costs.

HS hockey exists in some unexpected places in this country because mom and dad come up with a minimum of $1,500 for a season.

I'm curious what it costs to play HS hockey in some programs around the state.

[Cornermukker]

Hockey in Brainerd will survive if players' parents agree to take on the costs.

HS hockey exists in some unexpected places in this country because mom and dad come up with a minimum of $1,500 for a season.

I'm curious what it costs to play HS hockey in some programs around the state.

The school district will not allow for any group to fund an individual sport. This was made very clear last night. I am certain it has to do with Title IX and the gender equity equation.

[Cornermukker]

Here is one article in the paper today.

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories ... 2041.shtml

[David Sparrow#1]

I feel bad for the Brainerd Warrior community. Is this really the end of hockey there? When does the money have to be raised by?

Where will the kids who want to play hockey go? What is the closest city that has a high school hockey team?

[Stitch Lips]

The city of Brainerd and the school district does not value hockey here in Brainerd. When I say the school district does not value hockey ... I mean they do not value it in the same light as the Roseau's, the Grand Rapid's, the Edina's, the Wayzata's, the Warroad's, the Moorhead's, etc. etc. These cuts were recommendations made by the superintendant. That's all they are at this point: recommendations. The school board will vote on these recommended cuts in early April if enough funds are not raised by then.

It is a critical time, not only for hockey ... but wrestling, soccer, skiing, cross-country, gymnastics, golf and tennis to name a few.

The city of Brainerd for the most part just doesn't value hockey or recognize it as the number one sport in Minnesota High School Athletics. It shows in their lack of support for youth hockey, all the way up through the ranks. They don't even have a park and rec program in place except for pond hockey which doesn't take place at the arenas they own. Their outdoor rinks are barely open for two months. It's a long storied history here in Brainerd.

If the funds aren't raised and hockey is cut, it will raise a few eyebrows around the state having one of it's largest school districts without a boys or girls hockey team. That, my friend ... is a disgrace.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The problems go beyond sports. Education in Minnesota is eroding. Nationwide we are suffering in all schools.

Our society is due for a overhaul.

Fact: China has more "honor students" in their school systems than the total population of high school students across the United States.

Today's youth better be prepared to change their standard of living. They won't have a choice. Our government is failing us.

Allowing taxpayers to decide the fate of our children's future, whether it be through sports or academics through referendums is our first mistake.

Changes have to be made.

Or else.

[RLStars]

Hockey in Brainerd will survive if players' parents agree to take on the costs.

HS hockey exists in some unexpected places in this country because mom and dad come up with a minimum of $1,500 for a season.

I'm curious what it costs to play HS hockey in some programs around the state.

The school district will not allow for any group to fund an individual sport. This was made very clear last night. I am certain it has to do with Title IX and the gender equity equation.

My communities youth hockey association pays the bill for our kids that are playing on the HS coop team. The coop divides the programs cost by the number of players and bills each participating school for that schools share of the costs. Our youth hockey program is then given the bill and they pay it.

[Junior Samples]

The city of Brainerd and the school district does not value hockey here in Brainerd. When I say the school district does not value hockey ... I mean they do not value it in the same light as the Roseau's, the Grand Rapid's, the Edina's, the Wayzata's, the Warroad's, the Moorhead's, etc. etc. These cuts were recommendations made by the superintendant. That's all they are at this point: recommendations. The school board will vote on these recommended cuts in early April if enough funds are not raised by then.

It is a critical time, not only for hockey ... but wrestling, soccer, skiing, cross-country, gymnastics, golf and tennis to name a few.

The city of Brainerd for the most part just doesn't value hockey or recognize it as the number one sport in Minnesota High School Athletics. It shows in their lack of support for youth hockey, all the way up through the ranks. They don't even have a park and rec program in place except for pond hockey which doesn't take place at the arenas they own. Their outdoor rinks are barely open for two months. It's a long storied history here in Brainerd.

If the funds aren't raised and hockey is cut, it will raise a few eyebrows around the state having one of it's largest school districts without a boys or girls hockey team. That, my friend ... is a disgrace.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The problems go beyond sports. Education in Minnesota is eroding. Nationwide we are suffering in all schools.

Our society is due for a overhaul.

Fact: China has more "honor students" in their school systems than the total population of high school students across the United States.

Today's youth better be prepared to change their standard of living. They won't have a choice. Our government is failing us.

Allowing taxpayers to decide the fate of our children's future, whether it be through sports or academics through referendums is our first mistake.

Changes have to be made.

Or else.

ole stitch lips is right. this problem will resonate across the state and eventually the country. soon, minnesota will not be considered the premier high school boys hockey state. michigan and massachusetts will. we live in a 'me' society where greed prevails. taxpayers who vote 'no' are not willing to support the very freedoms they enjoyed while they were in school.

the brainerd taxpayers said 'no'. they would rather spend their money on more important things such as large, gas-guzzling SUVs, playstations, fast-food, 92-inch plasma TVs and stay at home and watch dr. phil, american idol and jerry springer. i'm not talking kids here either.

brainerd is a melting pot community. lot's of great people here but the majority that have been born and raised just don't have the big money that drove the real estate, property taxes, etc. out of reach. the whole society is to blame. trickles down from the greed perpetuated by credit card companies and mortgage industries amongst others.

it's not just hockey here. farmers, ranchers, gunowners and sportsmen are becoming the frontline targets in schemes by international powerbrokers -- a worldwide plutocratic elite -- who are working to subvert american sovereignty, the last thing that stands in their way to global domination. land grabs, gun control and a host of other measures designed to control the populace are in the works.

okay -- now that we've got your attention and got your blood boiling, the bottom line is this:

brainerd hockey needs to be saved.

[AngusYoung]

Why will it be a "disgrace" if Brainerd does not have a HS hockey program? Why does Brainerd hockey need to be saved?

It appears to me that the voters of the referendum spoke loud and clear that this potential cut as well as others are OK with them. It would also appear that this is an excellent opportunity for impacted parents to look at organizing and starting a private school in this community. If you want to play, you have to pay.

AY

[Irishmans Shanty]

The city of Brainerd and the school district does not value hockey here in Brainerd.

I think Stich has vindicated every HS coach in Brainerd's history and coaches everywhere who have taken the fall for the lack of building an empire in their respective communities.

[Junior Samples]

Why will it be a "disgrace" if Brainerd does not have a HS hockey program? Why does Brainerd hockey need to be saved?

It appears to me that the voters of the referendum spoke loud and clear that this potential cut as well as others are OK with them. It would also appear that this is an excellent opportunity for impacted parents to look at organizing and starting a private school in this community. If you want to play, you have to pay.

AY

it would be a disgrace because then members of the shady bunch wouldn't have a place to gather and rough up ole angus when he stops in town to watch a brainerd/small falls tilt. word on the street is that somewhere in a safety-deposit box at a local bremer bank, there are photos waiting to be released at the right time, of a little troll they call "microphone" lurking the bowels of the brainerd civic center. he was last seen wearing a white jacket and wearing eyeglasses standing on the west end of the arena behind the net during the 3rd period.

[mulefarm]

If H.S. hockey programs are cut, what would happen to the MSHSL. The majority of their income is from the Boys Tournament. Hockey parents are use to paying, many of the other sports aren't. How much is charged for gym time, soccer fields ,ball fields. It may be the start of midget or club teams and leagues similar to other states. It is sad, but hockey will continue, but not as the way we know it now.

[AngusYoung]

Why will it be a "disgrace" if Brainerd does not have a HS hockey program? Why does Brainerd hockey need to be saved?

It appears to me that the voters of the referendum spoke loud and clear that this potential cut as well as others are OK with them. It would also appear that this is an excellent opportunity for impacted parents to look at organizing and starting a private school in this community. If you want to play, you have to pay.

AY

it would be a disgrace because then members of the shady bunch wouldn't have a place to gather and rough up ole angus when he stops in town to watch a brainerd/small falls tilt. word on the street is that somewhere in a safety-deposit box at a local bremer bank, there are photos waiting to be released at the right time, of a little troll they call "microphone" lurking the bowels of the brainerd civic center. he was last seen wearing a white jacket and wearing eyeglasses standing on the west end of the arena behind the net during the 3rd period.

Great Junior, now answer the questions....

AY

[Junior Samples]

Why will it be a "disgrace" if Brainerd does not have a HS hockey program? Why does Brainerd hockey need to be saved?

It appears to me that the voters of the referendum spoke loud and clear that this potential cut as well as others are OK with them. It would also appear that this is an excellent opportunity for impacted parents to look at organizing and starting a private school in this community. If you want to play, you have to pay.

AY

it would be a disgrace because then members of the shady bunch wouldn't have a place to gather and rough up ole angus when he stops in town to watch a brainerd/small falls tilt. word on the street is that somewhere in a safety-deposit box at a local bremer bank, there are photos waiting to be released at the right time, of a little troll they call "microphone" lurking the bowels of the brainerd civic center. he was last seen wearing a white jacket and wearing eyeglasses standing on the west end of the arena behind the net during the 3rd period.

Great Junior, now answer the questions....

AY

angus, you must get this straight. bluesbuddy is videoscout's body guard. but this is a bit of an oxymoron because videoscout can kick bluesbuddy's ass. although not really an oxymoron because an oxymoron would be 'cruel kindness'. while we know bluesbuddy can be cruel and kind, it is his son snake vigilante that has excelled in the art of cruel kindness. although snake has mastered the art of anglitch, it was his father who created 90% of the euphemisms this 'bored' (i.e. 'bored') uses to this day.

since his father has since passed and his father's, alter-ego (videoscout) was exiled years ago, snake has relinquished control of the 'bored' to two appointees, namely packerboy and slapshooter. slapshooter is snaky's father's, cousin's, sister, nephew's, wife's uncle which makes videoscout his brother.

me? i'm just a fat boy with bib overalls who dates a girl named lulu and used to be an actor on a two-bit show called "Hee Haw"

some people have accused me of being Irishman's Shanty.

now send your check to "Warrior Way". talk to your friend at the bank to get more info. we appreciate your 'continued' support

[dherman8]

That sucks. It's a shame but was there any chance of this team ever going to state being Moorhead and Roseau are in the section?

[great hockey mind]

This issue should have been address years ago. the fees for all sports in Brainerd was less than $100.00. and has been that way for some-time. Why haven the fees gone-up yearly? I put some of the blame on the school distrist. It seems the referemdum was all or nothing. Why not spilt the short fall 50-50. school district cuts 50 and the rest is the referemdum.

[hockeydad]

This issue should have been address years ago. the fees for all sports in Brainerd was less than $100.00. and has been that way for some-time. Why haven the fees gone-up yearly? I put some of the blame on the school distrist. It seems the referemdum was all or nothing. Why not spilt the short fall 50-50. school district cuts 50 and the rest is the referemdum.

I think they probably needed to make sure they had enough money to teach kids how to spell r-e-f-e-r-e-n-d-u-m correctly