The Uniform Debate

At BCCHS, those participating in sports receive a uniform by either making use of school funds or paying for it with their own money. This has been an issue of discussion every time a new sports season comes around. To get to the bottom of this issue, Mike Ryan, Central’s activity director, was interviewed and posed with three main questions: which sports are students required to pay for their own uniform, what determines which sports require players to buy a uniform, and how is the budget for uniforms made?

The answer is simple, Ryan says. “If the uniform is purchased by the school, then it has to come back to the school and be inventory. If the student wants to keep the uniform, they have to pay for that.” Some of the sports that students are required to pay for their uniforms include golf and tennis because they keep their uniforms. Many students would agree this system sounds fair when it is explained in this way. You may be wondering, Why is there the option of paying or borrowing? Who makes that decision? “The coaches decide on whether or not to have players pay,” Ryan explained. He implied that this uniform option just comes down to what the coach thinks is best for the team and best for the sport. 

As far as budget goes, coaches give it consideration and make requests to Ryan for uniforms to be purchased through the school. Ryan then makes arrangements with BCCHS principal Shel Hanser, who handles most school budget-related issues.