Definitely all of the sports. Basketball is probably in a little better shape than some of the sports. Football is going to be a real problem in a couple of years. The average age of a track starter is deceased +10 years. Baseball gets new people in, but they don't stick with it long.
Track starter is an official position? I always assumed that it was volunteer from the school. How hard of a job is it? Runners to your mark. Set. Bang.
Same issues in baseball. My 16 year old umped USSSA about 4 weekends last summer. At $55 per game, it's great money for a kid. He would probably have to be paid double that to consider doing it again.
Yep, must be licensed. Starting is the easy part, but you have to know all of the rules for all events - including the field events. If you start a well run meet with experienced volunteers it can be fairly easy. If you have to tell everyone what to do for each race it's a lot. Plus it's incredibly expensive. Shells are extremely hard to buy post Covid and they charge a premium for them. Plus the pistols, portable PA system, etc. No 20-year-old is going to go out and invest a couple thousand dollars into equipment and supplies to become a starter. You maybe get $150-$250 a meet depending on level, co-ed or not, etc. But also have to buy your own shells.
It'll work because lodging won't be an issue..............
Maybe he lives in Des Moines. I loved the volleyball tournament in Cedar Rapids, usually took at least one day off during the week to go watch. Not going to drive down to Coralville to watch though.
First thing I want to ask is where can I find the attendance numbers of past state tournaments? It used to be available on the websites, but that's even more difficult to find now than it is to drive 30 minutes from Des Moines to Ames or 20 minutes from Cedar Rapids to Coralville to watch a sporting event if you really wanted to and not make excuses about it....................................................I forgot what the second thing was.
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