Living in the Buckeye Border Conference region and being a parent to junior high and high school athletes, I’ve come to witness firsthand the challenges and heartache that our existing scheduling system creates for families. Currently, volleyball games for junior high and high school teams are scheduled at different schools, meaning families with children on both teams are forced to choose between supporting one child or another on game day. This is not only difficult for families emotionally but also logistically impossible for many who wish to support all their children equally.

The essence of school sports is to unite communities and reinforce family values, but instead, our current scheduling system divides us. Consider the family who has a daughter playing at the junior high level, while another is at the high school level. These games often occur simultaneously or overlap, leaving families with no choice but to split their support, thereby missing out on crucial family bonding moments and potential memories that are cherished over a lifetime.

Furthermore, statistics from educational psychology suggest that family involvement in student activities increases overall student success. Having a consistent, unified support system helps young athletes achieve better educational outcomes and emotional well-being. Not only do these competitions contribute to their physical development, but they also instill values of teamwork, dedication, and perseverance—values that are best nurtured in the presence of loved ones.

By coordinating volleyball games to be held at the same location, consecutively, we afford families the chance to fully support all their children without the emotional stress of having to choose which child to watch. This can be realistically achieved by revisiting game scheduling processes, reorganizing venue allocation, maintaining open dialogues with sports directors, and considering the familial impacts of our decisions.

Our schools and athletic programs work diligently to foster school spirit and student development, which is why this resolution aligns with our goals. By signing this petition, you encourage school officials and athletic directors within the Buckeye Border Conference to reconsider and adapt the scheduling of junior high and high school volleyball games in a way that enhances family engagement and supports our young athletes.

Join us in fostering an inclusive spirit and demonstrating that our community values family presence in our children’s lives by signing this petition today.