Tom Turvey, head coach of the Lindsay Leopards from 1951 through 1956 ended his tenure with 45 wins and only 15 losses and the 1955 class B state championship. Lawton Carey then took over for the 1957 season in which the Leopards finished 8 wins 2 losses. Back then, only the district champion qualified for the state playoffs, so Lindsay missed the playoffs. As a matter of fact, many great high school teams would lose only one game during the regular season, but miss the playoffs because that one loss was a district game. As a matter of fact, the class B playoffs in 1958 was missing the 9-1 Ardmore Douglass football team, which was arguably the best team in classes A, B, and C - because they lost to a better district B-5 team, the Lindsay Leopards.
Vern Robertson took over from Lawton Carey in 1958, when Carey became the high school principal. In Robertson's only season he posted a 14-0 record and a class B state title. The 1958 Leopards seemed to be even more dominant than they were in 1955 as they posted seven shut-outs during the 14 game season, and three consecutive shut-outs to end the run.
In a Daily Oklahoman article on September 28, 1958, Ray Soldan wrote - Ardmore Douglass was extremely impressive in winning its 15th straight game over the weekend, a 29-6 thumping of previously unscored on- Madill.
Vern Robertson, whose Lindsay club is given the best chance of halting Douglass' drive to a second consecutive state class B title, took in the contest and came away commenting: "I sure think Ardmore deserves its No. 1 rating."
Most striking to Robertson was the speed displayed by Douglass. "I've never seen such tremendous speed on a class B ballclub. Besides that, it appears they can do most anything they want to do..."
Doyle May, sports editor of the Daily Ardmoreite, says flatly "Douglass is better than last year. I say that because Raymond Watson, Robert Thurston and Charles Johnson have improved, making the team stronger defensively."
Soldan continued - Ardmore Douglass halfback Joe Walser has designs on the state 100 yard dash title this year. He was Utah state champion as a sophomore in 1956 and was ineligible at Ardmore last year. However, he got first-rate experience last spring, running against L.C. Johnson - the state class B champion - in practice. Walser whipped Johnson most of the time.
The Leopards faced this 'all-star' Douglass team, winner of 18 straight games, the 5th game into the season. To be very blunt - Lindsay dominated Ardmore Douglass 8-0. A bunch of 'farm boys' had totally stymied the 'best team' in the state. Many Leopard fans in attendance must now liken the '58 team to the movie 'Hoosiers' - a true story about the 1954 Milan, Indiana Huskers basketball team which defeated a much more talented 'city' team for the 1954 Indiana state championship.
The eighth game of the '58 season pitted the undefeated Leopards against the 5-2 McGuinness Irish. Jim Jones of the Daily Oklahoman wrote on October 26, 1958: Lindsay's power-laden Leopards, top-rated among the state's class B football teams, roared by the McGuinness Irish, 52-16, Friday night on the McGuinness field scoring almost at will until the second-teamers took over midway in the third quarter...
Five Lindsay players figured in the scoring. Leonard Keck and Harrison Durbin each made two touchdowns and Bill Stone scored once and ran all five conversions.
The Leopards wasted no time taking the lead, making touchdowns the first two times they got the ball. Stone ripped off tackle for 15 yards with the game less than three minutes old and ran the conversion for an 8-0 advantage. Bill Henry set up the score, intercepting a Marsh pass on the McGuinness 37 and returning it to the 26...
The giant-sized Lindsay line bottled up all attempts at running the middle. Jim Mihlhauser, H.O. Estes, David Bray, and Rick Simms repeatedly tossed Irish runners for losses. Center Bill York picked up the first touchdown of his high school career running an intercepted pass.
Larry Ledbetter scored Lindsay's lone second quarter touchdown on a sneak from the one to cap a 57 yard drive in four plays.Keck's 20-yard gainer and 14 and 10 yard gains by Ledbetter set up the touchdown.
Lindsay was now 7-0 and soon to be 10-0 as the playoffs were to begin. It is important to remember that Lindsay had just as many skilled athletes as any team they faced, including Ardmore Douglass. Lindsay's top athletes were mostly in the line, however, as Douglass's were in the backfield and receivers. The Leopards had two of top players in the state and arguably the nation in linemen H.O. Estes and Jim Mihlhauser. Both Estes and Mihlhauser were listed as 1958 all-state and went on to play for the University of Oklahoma, with Estes going on to the Minnesota Vikings. Jim Mihlhauser was also named Oklahoma defensive player of the year by the Daily Oklahoman, so the Leopards did have some very big guns in their arsenal.
In their first playoff game, the Leopards destroyed Fox 60-22, followed by a 14-0 win over Hobart and a 24-0 shutout over Moore. In the class B finals of 1958, Lindsay was to play a highly regarded Grove club.
Ray Soldan of The Oklahoman recalled the championship game on December 13, 1958:
Norman, Dec.12-- Lindsay left no room for doubting that it is Oklahoma's finest class B football team by smashing Grove 36-0, Friday afternoon at Owen field in the state title game staged before a chilled crowd of 2,000.
The Leopards dominated every phase of the game, scoring in every period, striking both the ground and in the air and muffling all Grove attempts at an offense.
Lindsay wound up with 18 first downs and 471 total yards. Grove managed only one first down-- that on a 4th quarter penalty-- and 47 net yards (emphasis mine).
Leonard Keck scored three of the Lindsay touchdowns, but once again the offensive load of the Leopards was well divided.
Junior fullback Bill Stone, the only underclassman in Lindsay's starting unit, was the top ground gainer, netting 108 yards in 14 carries. Keck churned an even 100 yards in 18 tries and halfback Harrison Durbin contributed 83 yards in 16 rushes.
Quarterback Larry Ledbetter handled the aerial portion of the Lindsay attack, completing six of eight tosses for 138 yards. He batted 5 for 5 after intermission, including touchdown pegs of 72 and 18 yards.
The overpowering Lindsay line stopped Grove ballcarriers for no gain or minus yards on 16 of the Ridgerunners' 35 running plays. All hands contributed to this smothering.
Guard Jim Mihlhauser, who was a defensive regular as a freshman on Lindsay's 1955 state championship team, was the ringleader of the defense from his linebacking position. Also starring were H.O. Estes, Bill York, Homer Rinehart, Don Bridwell, Bob Mashburn, Stone and Durbin...
(Imagine how many opposing running backs felt when they looked up and saw Hodie Estes, future Viking, and Jim Mihlhauser, future defensive player of the year - backing Estes up.)
The 1958 Lindsay Leopards may have been the most dominating football team that Lindsay ever fielded. They excelled in every phase of the game-- offense, defense, special teams, whatever, but with the Leopards storied past, one or two teams would soon challenge that assumption...
To be continued with the 1962 Leopards
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Leopard Legends of the Fall 1955-1980
Starting with this article, I am now a "retired" superintendent of schools, so no longer writing from the desk in Blanchard. I'll continue to write columns, however, from the tractor seat (my desk on the ranch).
Many Lindsay Leopard football fans consider the quarter of a century era, from 1955 to 1980, the zenith of Leopard football. During this 26 season time span - Lindsay football teams won 234 games, 4 state titles, 3 state runner-up trophies, and were ranked No. 1 in the state during a dozen regular seasons. Lindsay had a higher winning percentage (.813) than any other class 2A team in the state during the decade of the 1970's. All four State Championship teams (1955, 1958, 1962, and 1963) were in class B, when there were only three classifications (A, B, and C) of Oklahoma high school football and around 70 teams in each class. There are nine classifications of football today - 6AI, 6AII, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, and C, so many consider high school football to be less competitive than it was back during the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. For instance, there are only 16 teams in classes 6AI and 6AII today.
Besides the four state championship teams, the 1964 Leopards played for the class A state title, and ended with 11 wins and 2 losses. The 1970 Leopards played for the class 2A state championship with 13 wins and only 1 loss, that loss coming in the championship game 14 to 12, to Nowata. The 1973 Leopards ended the regular season undefeated (10-0) and ranked number one in class 2A. They lost to Bristow 9 - 7 in the state quarterfinals. The 1980 Lindsay Leopard football team ended with 10 wins and 3 losses, but made it all the way to the finals before losing, 33-22, to Sallisaw.
With the Corona Virus Pandemic in full swing, and most high school, college and professional sports seasons in jeopardy of being postponed or cancelled, I thought it might be interesting for readers of the Lindsay News and Leopard football fans to learn the history of Lindsay Leopard football from 1955 thru 1980, the legendary years.
We'll now take a closer look at many Leopard football teams over the next several months, which arguably are the greatest Leopard Legends of the Fall - and we'll will start with the undefeated (14-0) and 1955 State Champion Lindsay Leopards:
The 1955 Leopards started the season by shutting out their first three opponents (Maysville, Marlow, and Purcell), 43-0, 28-0, and 27-0, before finally having their first close game against Del City which they beat 20 to 14. The semifinals pitted the Leopards against Newkirk, which ended in a 20 to 20 tie, but the Leopards winning the 'penetration' tiebreaker - 4 to 3. In 1955, playoff games which ended in a tie score were decided on the number of times each team had crossed their opponent's 20 yard line. Bob Dellinger of the Daily Oklahoman recounted the game winning drive in the semi-finals:
"Lindsay, Dec. 2-- In a desperate race against the clock the Lindsay Leopards drove 56 yards for the penetration which gave them a berth in the class B state finals despite a 20-20 tie with Newkirk here Friday night...
Actually it was the ball stealing tactics of Lindsay's Gene Estes which turned the tide in the home club's favor. Twice the 210 pound junior grabbed the ball away from a Newkirk runner and both times Lindsay recovered." (Bulldog Henry, the inspirational leader of the Leopards, would recover a similar game-changing fumble the next week in the finals.)
With defeat on first downs (16-11) staring them in the face, the Leopards used 12 plays to punch from their own 24 to the Newkirk 15 for the deciding margin. Halfback Wayne Estes banged over the right side for 13 yards from the Tiger 28 to send the crowd of 3,000 into hysterical joy.
The 1955 Lindsay Leopards would play Picher the next week on December 9. The Daily Oklahoman headline on December 10 read Leopard Surge Nets 14-0 Win, and Ray Soldan of the DO wrote:
Stillwater, Dec. 9-- After being soundly outplayed for three quarters, Lindsay's Leopards exploded for two fourth period touchdowns to topple Picher, here, Friday afternoon, thus nailing down the first class B football championship in the school's history.
The tide turned in the opening minutes of the final session after the Leopards had taken over on their own 35 following a Picher punt, only the second one of the game by the Gorillas. The big play was a first down screen pass from quarterback Bill Garrett to Wayne Estes, a fleet halfback.
The sudden maneuver found the Leopards with a wall of blockers formed in front of Estes on the north sideline and Estes rambled 43 yards before being hauled down on the Picher 22. A plunge into the center of the line by fullback Bruce Bullock netted four yards, then Estes bolted through the Picher left side for the final 18, benefitting from a big hole opened by Mike Spradlin and Jim Crawford. Jerome Walton added the extra point on a running play...
Ray Soldan said it best about the Leopards in the championship game - ... the Leopards were defensive demons when their backs were to the wall - and I think a great defense epitomized the whole 1955 championship season. The Leopards were coached that year by Tom Turvey and Lawton Carey. Mr. Carey later became the high school principal where he led for many years.
Many Lindsay Leopard football fans consider the quarter of a century era, from 1955 to 1980, the zenith of Leopard football. During this 26 season time span - Lindsay football teams won 234 games, 4 state titles, 3 state runner-up trophies, and were ranked No. 1 in the state during a dozen regular seasons. Lindsay had a higher winning percentage (.813) than any other class 2A team in the state during the decade of the 1970's. All four State Championship teams (1955, 1958, 1962, and 1963) were in class B, when there were only three classifications (A, B, and C) of Oklahoma high school football and around 70 teams in each class. There are nine classifications of football today - 6AI, 6AII, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, and C, so many consider high school football to be less competitive than it was back during the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. For instance, there are only 16 teams in classes 6AI and 6AII today.
Besides the four state championship teams, the 1964 Leopards played for the class A state title, and ended with 11 wins and 2 losses. The 1970 Leopards played for the class 2A state championship with 13 wins and only 1 loss, that loss coming in the championship game 14 to 12, to Nowata. The 1973 Leopards ended the regular season undefeated (10-0) and ranked number one in class 2A. They lost to Bristow 9 - 7 in the state quarterfinals. The 1980 Lindsay Leopard football team ended with 10 wins and 3 losses, but made it all the way to the finals before losing, 33-22, to Sallisaw.
With the Corona Virus Pandemic in full swing, and most high school, college and professional sports seasons in jeopardy of being postponed or cancelled, I thought it might be interesting for readers of the Lindsay News and Leopard football fans to learn the history of Lindsay Leopard football from 1955 thru 1980, the legendary years.
We'll now take a closer look at many Leopard football teams over the next several months, which arguably are the greatest Leopard Legends of the Fall - and we'll will start with the undefeated (14-0) and 1955 State Champion Lindsay Leopards:
The 1955 Leopards started the season by shutting out their first three opponents (Maysville, Marlow, and Purcell), 43-0, 28-0, and 27-0, before finally having their first close game against Del City which they beat 20 to 14. The semifinals pitted the Leopards against Newkirk, which ended in a 20 to 20 tie, but the Leopards winning the 'penetration' tiebreaker - 4 to 3. In 1955, playoff games which ended in a tie score were decided on the number of times each team had crossed their opponent's 20 yard line. Bob Dellinger of the Daily Oklahoman recounted the game winning drive in the semi-finals:
"Lindsay, Dec. 2-- In a desperate race against the clock the Lindsay Leopards drove 56 yards for the penetration which gave them a berth in the class B state finals despite a 20-20 tie with Newkirk here Friday night...
Actually it was the ball stealing tactics of Lindsay's Gene Estes which turned the tide in the home club's favor. Twice the 210 pound junior grabbed the ball away from a Newkirk runner and both times Lindsay recovered." (Bulldog Henry, the inspirational leader of the Leopards, would recover a similar game-changing fumble the next week in the finals.)
With defeat on first downs (16-11) staring them in the face, the Leopards used 12 plays to punch from their own 24 to the Newkirk 15 for the deciding margin. Halfback Wayne Estes banged over the right side for 13 yards from the Tiger 28 to send the crowd of 3,000 into hysterical joy.
The 1955 Lindsay Leopards would play Picher the next week on December 9. The Daily Oklahoman headline on December 10 read Leopard Surge Nets 14-0 Win, and Ray Soldan of the DO wrote:
Stillwater, Dec. 9-- After being soundly outplayed for three quarters, Lindsay's Leopards exploded for two fourth period touchdowns to topple Picher, here, Friday afternoon, thus nailing down the first class B football championship in the school's history.
The tide turned in the opening minutes of the final session after the Leopards had taken over on their own 35 following a Picher punt, only the second one of the game by the Gorillas. The big play was a first down screen pass from quarterback Bill Garrett to Wayne Estes, a fleet halfback.
The sudden maneuver found the Leopards with a wall of blockers formed in front of Estes on the north sideline and Estes rambled 43 yards before being hauled down on the Picher 22. A plunge into the center of the line by fullback Bruce Bullock netted four yards, then Estes bolted through the Picher left side for the final 18, benefitting from a big hole opened by Mike Spradlin and Jim Crawford. Jerome Walton added the extra point on a running play...
Ray Soldan said it best about the Leopards in the championship game - ... the Leopards were defensive demons when their backs were to the wall - and I think a great defense epitomized the whole 1955 championship season. The Leopards were coached that year by Tom Turvey and Lawton Carey. Mr. Carey later became the high school principal where he led for many years.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Does lying about lies constitute libel and slander?
The facts: On August 12, 2019, Rebecca Wilkinson (executive director of the Statewide Virtual School Board) received a REQUEST FROM SENATOR RON SHARP via email which entailed answering several questions concerning oversight of Epic operations. On August 15 Wilkinson sent the REQUEST to Lynn Stickney, program specialist for the OSVCSB.
Senator Sharp requested the answers to several questions from Wilkinson / Oklahoma Charter School Board. For example, Sharp asked Wilkinson: "Can a student enrolled in a virtual charter school which is sponsored by the OSVCB be counted in the enrollment and subsequent attendance of a charter school not sponsored by the Oklahoma Charter School Board?" Wilkinson's answer was "No, it would create an illegal dual enrollment situation in two public schools."
On September 9, 2019, Bill Hickman (Epic's retained attorney) issued a 'Cease and Desist Demand' of Senator Sharp in which he stated "Dr. Wilkinson, the executive director of the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board ("SVCSB"), has confirmed that she has not had any discussions with you regarding Epic." Evidently, Wilkinson believes that simply answering Senator Sharp's questions regarding Epic doesn't constitute a "discussion". Many Oklahoma taxpayers believe that it does. The Epic attorney labeled many of Sharp's statements as 'lies'. Senator Sharp's initial questions referred to Epic Virtual Charter School being sponsored by the SVCSB and Epic Blended Charter Schools being sponsored by Rose State College, so Wilkinson did in fact have discussions with Senator Sharp regarding Epic. It appears as if Epic Blended Charter School, sponsored by Rose State, counted student enrollment which had already been counted by Epic Virtual School, sponsored by the SVCSB.
Hickman then went on to write: "... Exhibit B is an email from Dr. Wilkinson stating that the "SVCSB" has made no determinations regarding Epic One-on-One Charter School's enrollment practices." Becky Wilkinson is technically telling the truth, as the SVCSB has not made an official determination, but Wilkinson did make that determination (as evidenced by her answers). She didn't specifically mention Epic Blended and Epic Virtual as the schools in question, but knew the senator was referring to Epic. The question now becomes: If Epic's dual enrollment practices are indeed illegal (as Becky first indicated), why hasn't the SVCSB made such determination?
Epic has claimed that Senator Sharp has lied about the above issues, but evidence indicates otherwise. The next question becomes: Does calling someone a liar when he or she states facts, constitute libel and slander?
Senator Sharp requested the answers to several questions from Wilkinson / Oklahoma Charter School Board. For example, Sharp asked Wilkinson: "Can a student enrolled in a virtual charter school which is sponsored by the OSVCB be counted in the enrollment and subsequent attendance of a charter school not sponsored by the Oklahoma Charter School Board?" Wilkinson's answer was "No, it would create an illegal dual enrollment situation in two public schools."
On September 9, 2019, Bill Hickman (Epic's retained attorney) issued a 'Cease and Desist Demand' of Senator Sharp in which he stated "Dr. Wilkinson, the executive director of the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board ("SVCSB"), has confirmed that she has not had any discussions with you regarding Epic." Evidently, Wilkinson believes that simply answering Senator Sharp's questions regarding Epic doesn't constitute a "discussion". Many Oklahoma taxpayers believe that it does. The Epic attorney labeled many of Sharp's statements as 'lies'. Senator Sharp's initial questions referred to Epic Virtual Charter School being sponsored by the SVCSB and Epic Blended Charter Schools being sponsored by Rose State College, so Wilkinson did in fact have discussions with Senator Sharp regarding Epic. It appears as if Epic Blended Charter School, sponsored by Rose State, counted student enrollment which had already been counted by Epic Virtual School, sponsored by the SVCSB.
Hickman then went on to write: "... Exhibit B is an email from Dr. Wilkinson stating that the "SVCSB" has made no determinations regarding Epic One-on-One Charter School's enrollment practices." Becky Wilkinson is technically telling the truth, as the SVCSB has not made an official determination, but Wilkinson did make that determination (as evidenced by her answers). She didn't specifically mention Epic Blended and Epic Virtual as the schools in question, but knew the senator was referring to Epic. The question now becomes: If Epic's dual enrollment practices are indeed illegal (as Becky first indicated), why hasn't the SVCSB made such determination?
Epic has claimed that Senator Sharp has lied about the above issues, but evidence indicates otherwise. The next question becomes: Does calling someone a liar when he or she states facts, constitute libel and slander?
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Competitive equity for OSSAA member schools delayed once again
Prior to the 2012 Oklahoma high school sports seasons - the member schools of the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) determined that competitive equity during competition between schools was nonexistent. Most member schools believed the 'playing field' was tilted in the favor of those schools which had specific structural advantages such as the ability to offer scholarships and restrict enrollment. In order to promote competitive equity within OSSAA competition for all sports, the OSSAA directors appointed an eighteen member committee to study the issue and construct a plan which would eventually 'level the playing field' for member schools. Nine committee members were administrators from those schools which restrict enrollment and/or provide scholarships to athletes, and nine members were from schools which cannot restrict enrollment and/or provide financial incentives to athletes.
The Competitive Equity Committee eventually settled on Rule 14, which was to solve the 'level playing field' problem. The Rule required those schools which fit a specified 'success' criteria involving several factors, to advance one enrollment based classification level. For instance, a school participating in class 2A sports would advance to class 3A when all criteria were met. Many member schools at the time believed Rule 14 would fail in its intended purpose. Even several of the Committee members believed it would fail miserably, but said at the time that "It's the best we could do."
Rule 14 subsequently was implemented for the 2012 high school sports seasons, so we can now take a look at the data to analyze the effectiveness of the Rule - for high school football. The data from the 2011 football season (one year prior to implementation of Rule 14) can be compared to the data from the 2019 season (eight years into the Rule). Since 'success' is determined by the OSSAA as 'placing in the top eight' in post-season competition, we may study the 'success data' from the 2011 and 2019 football seasons for those schools which qualified for advancement under Rule 14:
2011 2019
Class Final 8 Semis Finals Final 8 Semis Finals Champ.
5A: 1)Kelly 1)Kelly Kelly
2)E.Prep
3)McG. McG. McG.
4A: 1)McG. no criteria schools
3A: 1) Metro 1)H.Hall H. Hall
2) Cascia Cascia Cascia 2)Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln
3) H. Hall H.Hall
2A: 1) Lincoln 1)Metro Metro Metro Metro
A 1)Rejoice Rejoice
B 1)Regent Regent Regent
C 1)Covenant
The data indicates that six separate 'criteria' schools made the final eight in 2011 with three advancing to the semis and one advancing to the finals. The 2019 data indicates that nine 'criteria' schools made the top eight, seven advanced to the semis with four advancing to the finals and two state champions. Very simply - Rule 14 has been a total bust for leveling the playing field!
One may notice that as several Rule 14 'criteria' schools became affected in 2012, they actually improved their success level. For example, Lincoln Christian was eliminated in the quarterfinals of class 2A football in 2011, but was a state champion in 2019 for class 3A. Metro Christian School was eliminated in the 2011 quarterfinals, but restricted its enrollment enough to win the class 2A State Title in 2019. Heritage Hall was eliminated in the 2011 class 3A semifinals but still eventually advanced to class 4A as a 'criteria' school several years later where it won several state titles. It then restricted its enrollment enough to be a class 2A school, but advanced to class 3A on criteria where it was eliminated in the state semifinals in 2019. All this restricting makes my head spin. Bishop McGuinness was eliminated in the class 4A quarterfinals in 2011, advanced to class 5A because of either increased enrollment or 'criteria', where it was eliminated in the class 5A finals in 2019.
Another competitive equity committee was appointed early in 2019 to once again come up with a solution to the problem. It was composed of four traditional public school officials and four 'restrictive' school officials. The committee decided that Rule 14 has been inneffective for leveling the playing field in only two sports (volleyball and tennis). They provided data which indicated that Rule 14 has been effective for promoting competitive equity in all other sports. The committee cited that the same approximate number of state titles were won by 'criteria' schools in the eight years previous to the implementation of Rule 14 as in the eight years after implementation. By many members accounts, their analysis is both invalid and unreliable. At any rate, the OSSAA executives believe that many non-restrictive school officials are citing data such as that above - based on 'emotions'. They have stated as much. These disparaging comments were made in both OKC and Tulsa area meetings.
I believe Joe Van Tuyl has a very workable plan which is fair to both restrictive enrollment schools and non-restrictive schools. If you don't already have a copy of the plan, you may request one from Jim Beckham or Joe Van Tuyl, and we'll be happy to send you one.
The Competitive Equity Committee eventually settled on Rule 14, which was to solve the 'level playing field' problem. The Rule required those schools which fit a specified 'success' criteria involving several factors, to advance one enrollment based classification level. For instance, a school participating in class 2A sports would advance to class 3A when all criteria were met. Many member schools at the time believed Rule 14 would fail in its intended purpose. Even several of the Committee members believed it would fail miserably, but said at the time that "It's the best we could do."
Rule 14 subsequently was implemented for the 2012 high school sports seasons, so we can now take a look at the data to analyze the effectiveness of the Rule - for high school football. The data from the 2011 football season (one year prior to implementation of Rule 14) can be compared to the data from the 2019 season (eight years into the Rule). Since 'success' is determined by the OSSAA as 'placing in the top eight' in post-season competition, we may study the 'success data' from the 2011 and 2019 football seasons for those schools which qualified for advancement under Rule 14:
2011 2019
Class Final 8 Semis Finals Final 8 Semis Finals Champ.
5A: 1)Kelly 1)Kelly Kelly
2)E.Prep
3)McG. McG. McG.
4A: 1)McG. no criteria schools
3A: 1) Metro 1)H.Hall H. Hall
2) Cascia Cascia Cascia 2)Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln
3) H. Hall H.Hall
2A: 1) Lincoln 1)Metro Metro Metro Metro
A 1)Rejoice Rejoice
B 1)Regent Regent Regent
C 1)Covenant
The data indicates that six separate 'criteria' schools made the final eight in 2011 with three advancing to the semis and one advancing to the finals. The 2019 data indicates that nine 'criteria' schools made the top eight, seven advanced to the semis with four advancing to the finals and two state champions. Very simply - Rule 14 has been a total bust for leveling the playing field!
One may notice that as several Rule 14 'criteria' schools became affected in 2012, they actually improved their success level. For example, Lincoln Christian was eliminated in the quarterfinals of class 2A football in 2011, but was a state champion in 2019 for class 3A. Metro Christian School was eliminated in the 2011 quarterfinals, but restricted its enrollment enough to win the class 2A State Title in 2019. Heritage Hall was eliminated in the 2011 class 3A semifinals but still eventually advanced to class 4A as a 'criteria' school several years later where it won several state titles. It then restricted its enrollment enough to be a class 2A school, but advanced to class 3A on criteria where it was eliminated in the state semifinals in 2019. All this restricting makes my head spin. Bishop McGuinness was eliminated in the class 4A quarterfinals in 2011, advanced to class 5A because of either increased enrollment or 'criteria', where it was eliminated in the class 5A finals in 2019.
Another competitive equity committee was appointed early in 2019 to once again come up with a solution to the problem. It was composed of four traditional public school officials and four 'restrictive' school officials. The committee decided that Rule 14 has been inneffective for leveling the playing field in only two sports (volleyball and tennis). They provided data which indicated that Rule 14 has been effective for promoting competitive equity in all other sports. The committee cited that the same approximate number of state titles were won by 'criteria' schools in the eight years previous to the implementation of Rule 14 as in the eight years after implementation. By many members accounts, their analysis is both invalid and unreliable. At any rate, the OSSAA executives believe that many non-restrictive school officials are citing data such as that above - based on 'emotions'. They have stated as much. These disparaging comments were made in both OKC and Tulsa area meetings.
I believe Joe Van Tuyl has a very workable plan which is fair to both restrictive enrollment schools and non-restrictive schools. If you don't already have a copy of the plan, you may request one from Jim Beckham or Joe Van Tuyl, and we'll be happy to send you one.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
How to intimidate an Oklahoma lawmaker:
An article in the Tulsa World - Lawmakers accuse Epic Charter Schools of trying to intimidate them, setting 'dangerous' precedent with defamation lawsuit against state senator, December 14 by Andrea Eger, describes how state lawmakers believe the lawsuit against State Senator Ron Sharp (R) is purely "intimidation". What Andrea didn't say is that Epic has tried to intimidate her by 'investigating her past'. One Republican Representative called the lawsuit against Senator Sharp "... an attempt to silence constituents whose concerns legislators are sworn to represent and an attempt to intimidate other lawmakers just before the deadline to file bills for the upcoming 2020 session." The quoted representative was probably correct in saying the 'Epic' lawsuit is "an attempt to silence constituents (You and I) whose concerns legislators are sworn to represent...", although I'll bet it won't silence many traditional public school folk.
Epic Public Schools (its preferred name) first warned Sharp in a "cease and desist" letter left at his front door "that he faced 'immediate legal action' if he didn't comply with the school's demand for a published retraction of his previous statements." Sharp evidently didn't retract his factual statements or questions, so the lawsuit was filed last week.
Another state representative commented about the lawsuit that "It's dirty; it's ugly; and we won't stand for it", indicating the House and Senate have big plans for Epic. Before those lawmakers who object to the lawsuit say 'we won't stand for it', they may consider another lawmaker's statement: "As elected officials, you are in the public eye and subject to that." The lawmaker evidently believes that legislators should expect to be sued when doing the right thing by speaking out against the theft of Oklahoma's tax dollars. Maybe so...
Other elected officials and lawmakers have received more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from Epic Public Schools in order to "look the other way" when considering Epic oversight legislation. It is doubtful these elected officials will speak out in opposition of anything Epic, so it may continue in creating an education 'dust bowl'. In the words of one senator "We might as well go home and let the special interest groups run our government totally," and that is exactly what Epic wants.
To be fair, only five lawmakers commented on the Epic Public Schools lawsuit - which leaves about 140 who have not weighed in on the subject. Those not allowed to voice their opinion at the Jenks Legislative Luncheon should certainly be allowed to weigh in on the lawsuit. I'll start by asking my Representative Cindy Roe (R) of Lindsay and Senator Paul Scott (R) of Duncan to please share your thoughts on the subject?
To be continued with their answers...
Epic Public Schools (its preferred name) first warned Sharp in a "cease and desist" letter left at his front door "that he faced 'immediate legal action' if he didn't comply with the school's demand for a published retraction of his previous statements." Sharp evidently didn't retract his factual statements or questions, so the lawsuit was filed last week.
Another state representative commented about the lawsuit that "It's dirty; it's ugly; and we won't stand for it", indicating the House and Senate have big plans for Epic. Before those lawmakers who object to the lawsuit say 'we won't stand for it', they may consider another lawmaker's statement: "As elected officials, you are in the public eye and subject to that." The lawmaker evidently believes that legislators should expect to be sued when doing the right thing by speaking out against the theft of Oklahoma's tax dollars. Maybe so...
Other elected officials and lawmakers have received more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from Epic Public Schools in order to "look the other way" when considering Epic oversight legislation. It is doubtful these elected officials will speak out in opposition of anything Epic, so it may continue in creating an education 'dust bowl'. In the words of one senator "We might as well go home and let the special interest groups run our government totally," and that is exactly what Epic wants.
To be fair, only five lawmakers commented on the Epic Public Schools lawsuit - which leaves about 140 who have not weighed in on the subject. Those not allowed to voice their opinion at the Jenks Legislative Luncheon should certainly be allowed to weigh in on the lawsuit. I'll start by asking my Representative Cindy Roe (R) of Lindsay and Senator Paul Scott (R) of Duncan to please share your thoughts on the subject?
To be continued with their answers...
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Epic accuses State Senator of slander, and sues..
An article in the Tulsa World - Epic Charter Schools sues state senator who questioned student attendance and funding, accusing him of slander details the great lengths a shady racket will extend to protect its millionaires. Another article in the DO - Epic Charter Schools suing state senator alleging libel, slander relates that the Epic attorney, Bill Hickman, filed the slander and libel lawsuit Monday, and is "seeking at least $75,000 in damages" from State Senator Ron Sharp (R) of Shawnee.
Senator Sharp's plight (as he stands up for our public schools and students in the fight against corrupt racketeers) reminds one of the oft-quoted message by Martin Niemoller - "Then They Came for Me". Martin Niemoller was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolph Hitler in the days before and during World War II. His famous message was given later in life. Despite his ardent nationalism, Niemoller spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. He was one of the earliest Germans to talk publicly about broader complicity in the Holocaust and guilt for what had happened to the Jews.
Here is that message that causes us to think deeply for the welfare of our fellowman:
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Socialist.
"Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
"Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Jew.
"Then they came for me-
and there was no one left to speak for me.
The quotation is from Niemoller's many lectures during the early years following the end of World War II. His point was that Germans - in particular the leaders of Protestant churches - had been complicit through their silence in the Nazi imprisonment, persecution, and murder of millions of people (LEADING WITH INTEGRITY, Clarence G. Oliver, Jr., Ed.D., 2015).
As public school officials, and more importantly as Oklahoma taxpayers, we should be speaking out against the unethical acquisition of taxpayer dollars by private management firms like Epic - and speaking out in support of those like Senator Sharp, who've had the courage to stand up and do what's right.
Senator Sharp's plight (as he stands up for our public schools and students in the fight against corrupt racketeers) reminds one of the oft-quoted message by Martin Niemoller - "Then They Came for Me". Martin Niemoller was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolph Hitler in the days before and during World War II. His famous message was given later in life. Despite his ardent nationalism, Niemoller spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps. He was one of the earliest Germans to talk publicly about broader complicity in the Holocaust and guilt for what had happened to the Jews.
Here is that message that causes us to think deeply for the welfare of our fellowman:
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Socialist.
"Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
"Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-
Because I was not a Jew.
"Then they came for me-
and there was no one left to speak for me.
The quotation is from Niemoller's many lectures during the early years following the end of World War II. His point was that Germans - in particular the leaders of Protestant churches - had been complicit through their silence in the Nazi imprisonment, persecution, and murder of millions of people (LEADING WITH INTEGRITY, Clarence G. Oliver, Jr., Ed.D., 2015).
As public school officials, and more importantly as Oklahoma taxpayers, we should be speaking out against the unethical acquisition of taxpayer dollars by private management firms like Epic - and speaking out in support of those like Senator Sharp, who've had the courage to stand up and do what's right.
Friday, December 6, 2019
OCPA Double Standard or Not?
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) calls itself a "conservative think tank" which believes the "free market is the single greatest tool in the world for lifting the most people out of poverty...". The OCPA generally translates this philosophy to private goods and services, and even taxpayer funded government services - as a model for private management companies and individuals to become millionaires.
Public education and our traditional public schools have been the target of private management companies such as Epic Youth Services for quite sometime now, with the full support of the OCPA. The owners of Epic Public Schools (blended and virtual) have become millionaires at Oklahoma taxpayer expense over the last several years (since 2012), yet there has been no public outcry over what some refer to as a racket.
Consistency of its 'free market' policy for public services has become an issue as of late, as Ray Carter, director of OCPA's Center for Independent Journalism - wrote Lawmakers learn shady management companies could benefit from Medicaid expansion (https://www.ocpathink.org/post/lawmakers-learn-shady-management-companies-could-benefit-from-medicaid-expansion). Ray "Ray Ray" Carter is the former chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman whose wife is Jennifer Carter, the former chief-of-staff for the former state superintendent Janet Barresi. Ray Carter has an unhealthy dislike for our traditional public schools just as his bosses at the OCPA do. In the 'policy' article Mr. Carter laments that "... at a recent legislative study, lawmakers learned the beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion may include management companies that have run several Oklahoma hospitals into the ground." One lawmaker said some out-of-state management companies have simply taken on new names and have been "raiding our hospitals over and over again."
Someone from the OCPA (Ray Ray Carter) is gonna have to explain to us how Empower HMS (the Medicaid raider) is different from Epic Youth Services (the public school raider). The characteristics of both private management companies are the same, from the 'name changes' to the private acquisition of taxpayer dollars, but the OCPA clearly distinguishes a difference. Can anyone tell us what the difference is?
Public education and our traditional public schools have been the target of private management companies such as Epic Youth Services for quite sometime now, with the full support of the OCPA. The owners of Epic Public Schools (blended and virtual) have become millionaires at Oklahoma taxpayer expense over the last several years (since 2012), yet there has been no public outcry over what some refer to as a racket.
Consistency of its 'free market' policy for public services has become an issue as of late, as Ray Carter, director of OCPA's Center for Independent Journalism - wrote Lawmakers learn shady management companies could benefit from Medicaid expansion (https://www.ocpathink.org/post/lawmakers-learn-shady-management-companies-could-benefit-from-medicaid-expansion). Ray "Ray Ray" Carter is the former chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman whose wife is Jennifer Carter, the former chief-of-staff for the former state superintendent Janet Barresi. Ray Carter has an unhealthy dislike for our traditional public schools just as his bosses at the OCPA do. In the 'policy' article Mr. Carter laments that "... at a recent legislative study, lawmakers learned the beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion may include management companies that have run several Oklahoma hospitals into the ground." One lawmaker said some out-of-state management companies have simply taken on new names and have been "raiding our hospitals over and over again."
Someone from the OCPA (Ray Ray Carter) is gonna have to explain to us how Empower HMS (the Medicaid raider) is different from Epic Youth Services (the public school raider). The characteristics of both private management companies are the same, from the 'name changes' to the private acquisition of taxpayer dollars, but the OCPA clearly distinguishes a difference. Can anyone tell us what the difference is?
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