Though the sport of soccer has been a part of the Abingdon community since the early 2000’s, the ball doesn’t roll past Junior High for A-Town kids.
Currently, there is no program in place at Abingdon-Avon High School –something a number of concerned parents and community members are taking issue with against the District 276 School Board.
Last night, the board voted down a measure to create boy’s and girl’s teams.
YMCA Head Soccer Coach Ken Litchfield who heads the current local program at the Y says the board has indicated that cost is an issue. But Litchfield tells WGIL he thinks there is more to it.
“To be honest, I think the other concern is they’re deftly afraid of how any addition of soccer might affect other sports,” Litchfield says. “And not to mince words, but I specifically think they’re afraid of how it would affect football.”
Superintendent Chad Willis admits he believes fielding teams would be difficult. He agrees with the board decision that implementing a program wouldn’t be wise at this juncture.
“There currently is no Prairie Land or Lincoln Trail conference schools that have soccer,” Willis says. “In my opinion, that’s due to the size of our districts.”
Petitions have been circulating and fundraising has been discussed to help with the costs. Willis says little state funding and increased costs to the would-be program incurring each year ultimately influenced last nights decision.
