Why doesn't the LRSD produce Hog football recruits anymore?

[redleg]

I find this to be a very interesting, and frankly, very sad question. The Little Rock School District, in many past Razorback signing classes, was a pipeline of talent for the Hogs. But as of today, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has not signed one single football player from a LRSD high school since the 2005 class, when Central High produced Kevin Thornton and Antwain Robinson! That is twelve signing classes! That is sad and pathetic! The states largest school district cannot seem to produce a single player worthy of an offer?! Really?! Maybe there has been one and he just signed with another school? Charles Clay maybe? But even then, it has been a decade!
What is the deal?
:razorback:

[ricepig]

No D-I quality football players there, and we have discussed this every year since 2005.

[wildturkey8]

No D-I quality football players there, and we have discussed this every year since 2005.

More like broken school system.  The Athletes are there but not playing football.

[BigD94]

Seen this question come up several times. I think a lot of the better athletes are strictly playing basketball, not as many multi sport players anymore.

[ricepig]

More like broken school system.  The Athletes are there but not playing football.

Are they, or have they transferred out to Robinson, and others?

[DeltaBoy]

Their set up is anti football,  No solid Jr High Football and they destroyed the feeder schools that used to keep Central on top in Football and Parkview in Basketball .

[redleg]

No D-I quality football players there, and we have discussed this every year since 2005.

Well we can discuss it one more time.

[hawkhawg]

If they are good enough for the hogs someone is going to get them in a private school.

[TheGunther]

Pulaski County has three school districts:

North Little Rock - 1 high school
Little Rock - 5 high schools
Pulaski County Special School District - 5 high schools (Jacksonville created its own district)

One might wonder if the best thing the state could do is to split the mega-district into separate districts, especially in the case of the PCSSD, where you have incorporated cities such has Maumelle and Sherwood.

I believe what these schools and their students need is leadership and support from within their community. I don't believe they get that from these large school districts.  That is why many have moved/transferred to Little Rock's bedroom communities.

However, it appears that the state would much prefer to allow the schools to go into distress, shutdown and offer charter school alternatives - most likely new construction built in affluent neighborhoods.

[immahog]

Talent is in Little Rock the athletic program has failed them the streets of Little Rock and the school system sucks

[Piggfoot]

I find this to be a very interesting, and frankly, very sad question. The Little Rock School District, in many past Razorback signing classes, was a pipeline of talent for the Hogs. But as of today, the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has not signed one single football player from a LRSD high school since the 2005 class, when Central High produced Kevin Thornton and Antwain Robinson! That is twelve signing classes! That is sad and pathetic! The states largest school district cannot seem to produce a single player worthy of an offer?! Really?! Maybe there has been one and he just signed with another school? Charles Clay maybe? But even then, it has been a decade!
What is the deal?
:razorback:

How old are you? Where do you live? And, how long have you lived there?

[elksnort]

More like broken school system.  The Athletes are there but not playing football.

THIS. I will guaran damn tee you that the athletes are there, on the street, somewhere. They need to get the kids out for football. Maybe it takes money to build facilities or whatever.

[oldfart]

The same question can be asked about the eastern part of the state... few have come from that region in recent years.  I remember not that long back when all three linebackers were from stuttgart.....

[sickboy]

However, it appears that the state would much prefer to allow the schools to go into distress, shutdown and offer charter school alternatives - most likely new construction built in affluent neighborhoods.

This is what happens in Los Angeles. The public school system is eroding and Charter Schools are popping up everywhere. It's a little different out here, because Private School tuition is around 35-40K per year starting in Kindergarten, so middle class families out here can't afford to send their kids to private. This has ushered in the rise of Charters and lottery systems. It gets pretty crazy out here. People start interviewing/donating with schools when their kids are about 3 years old in hopes to buy a leg up when their kids start kindergarten.

[Letsroll1200]

If they are good enough for the hogs someone is going to get them in a private school.

This

[HogFries]

Just keep beating it

[Hugo Bezdek]

Anyone who can gets out, whether to the bedroom communities, private schools, Robinson or NLR. Really the high schools would probably benefit from some consolidation. LRSD with 25,000 students has five high schools. Compare that to Springdale which has roughly 20,000 students and two high schools. Hall, Parkview, McClellan and Fair are all half the size of Central or less and there's already talk of consolidating McClellan and Fair into a proposed new Southwest HS. They should probably look at something similar for Hall and Parkview. I know at one point there was talk of making Hall a STEM school since Forest Heights STEM only goes through 8th Grade.

[oldfart]

It is certainly a germane question even though yes, it is beating a dead horse.  The lack of athletes not only from LR area but eastern part of the state has limited the number of quality in-state athletes who not only are D1 athletically but are also academically eligible ( a big factor in some areas) certainly handicaps the Razorbacks

[HognitiveDissonance]

The public schools have declined athletically, but a lot of the good athletes have found homes in LR Christian, Pulaski Academy, or the bedroom communities Cabot, Conway, Bryant, Benton, Robinson. NLR still has a good public school program.

Central has really gone to pot. JA Fair---I remember them winning the state title in 1998 when Cedric Cobbs was there, and it's gone all to Hades. It's pitiful and sad. I saw a Parkview/JA Fair game last fall and I counted 28 kids dressed out for Fair. Parkview stunk but still beat them like a drum.

[LZH]

About four or five years ago there was a really good six page write-up in the ADG, I think Tom Murphy wrote it. Detailed the entire mess. And that is exactly what it is, a mess. One that didn't have to happen.

[Razorback_Mack]

I interned at a high school in the LRSD. If you wanna know what's wrong I suggest you offer to volunteer in some way. You'll realize about 5 minutes into in that being a football pipeline for the u of a is the least of their worries. Furthermore, I'm one of the most pro athletic people you'll ever meet.

[Hugo Bezdek]

Here are a few numbers for you:

From 1998-2007 Arkansas signed 28 kids from Central Arkansas (LR/NLR/Conway/Bryant/Cabot/Jacksonville)
From 2008-2017 19 kids from the same area signed with Arkansas and 7 more signed with Alabama, Auburn, Mizzou, Cal, Illinois and Ohio State.

From LRSD, Arkansas went from 13 to 0 in those same periods, but one did sign with Illinois last year.
Mills went from 5 to 0, Robinson increased from 1 to 4, with one going to Mizzou.
NLR increased from 2 to 5 but two went to Bama and OSU.

Little Rock private schools increased from 3 to 11 signees (2 went to Auburn, 1 to Cal).

[The_Bionic_Pig]

The athletes are their....they just don't play football and if their good they transfer to NLR

[Razorback_Mack]

Threads like this are a joke honestly. Y'all are just analyzing other people's problems. Well.....this is why. No...no...this is why. 99% of you haven't sat foot in one of these schools. You're just worried about how many football players were signing from there.

If you're that worried about it, volunteer in some way. Take a closer look. Actually go take a look at what you're talking about. Otherwise, stay in the suburbs and drive your tahoes and sthu. Reminds of the comments section on fb. Nothing but a cesspool.

[ricepig]

Threads like this are a joke honestly. Y'all are just analyzing other people's problems. Well.....this is why. No...no...this is why. 99% of you haven't sat foot in one of these schools. You're just worried about how many football players were signing from there.

If you're that worried about it, volunteer in some way. Take a closer look. Actually go take a look at what you're talking about. Otherwise, stay in the suburbs and drive your tahoes and sthu. Reminds of the comments section on fb. Nothing but a cesspool.

Get us some more croots.....we need more croots from LRSD!

[Razorback_Mack]

Get us some more croots.....we need more croots from LRSD!

No kidding!

[Sweet Feet]

School system is busted. Tons of athletes walking the schools but the coaching system at all 5 schools minus McClellan all suck. The best athletes in this state reside in Central Arkansas unquestionably, but the system is so busted and corrupt, its hard to find any football players there. Not to mention the lack of discipline in these schools. All 5 high schools are zoos.  LRSD is also more basketball oriented now. All the Little Rock football talent is going to PA, Bryant, Benton, NLR, and other nearby non-LRSD schools.

[LZH]

Threads like this are a joke honestly. Y'all are just analyzing other people's problems. Well.....this is why. No...no...this is why. 99% of you haven't sat foot in one of these schools. You're just worried about how many football players were signing from there.

If you're that worried about it, volunteer in some way. Take a closer look. Actually go take a look at what you're talking about. Otherwise, stay in the suburbs and drive your tahoes and sthu. Reminds of the comments section on fb. Nothing but a cesspool.

Spare us your holier-than-thou social commentary. This is a [CENSORED] football message board, and the thread is about football players.

[rtr]

This thread is no joke.  It is real and the young people of Central Arkansas deserve better than to ignore the problem.  Good schools=good football.

[Razorback_Mack]

Spare us your holier-than-thou social commentary. This is a [CENSORED] football message board, and the thread is about football players.

If you think the LRSD not producing football players is just about football players you're a fool. And I don't throw effort after foolishness.

[LZH]

If you think the LRSD not producing football players is just about football players you're a fool. And I don't throw effort after foolishness.

I am quite aware of what the problem is, I have been watching it happen for 30 years. And I didn't even have to volunteer to figure it out.

[Razorback_Mack]

This thread is no joke.  It is real and the young people of Central Arkansas deserve better than to ignore the problem.  Good schools=good football.

Good schools do equal good football for the MOST PART. There are exceptions to that, see pine bluff. However, posting on a message board is just as good as ignoring the problem. It means nothing. People just want to be "right." It's the exact same thing on Facebook. No boots on the ground. No real world solutions. You can start 1 million threads and it won't matter. Show up, make a difference....that'll matter.

[Razorback_Mack]

I am quite aware of what the problem is, I have been watching it happen for 30 years. And I didn't even have to volunteer to figure it out.

You sound like a real winner. "Watching"

[root_hawg]

they play basketball

[Razorback_Mack]

It's all good. This is a message board. If you wanna argue about who the backup qb is...who cares go ahead. Same thing for the 4 mil a year coach.

But don't get a false sense of involvement when you post about real issues. Don't be that naive. If you want to make a difference or if you care, show up and take a look around. I promise, if you do, your self validated message board agendas about real issues will cease to exist.

[LZH]

Good schools do equal good football for the MOST PART. There are exceptions to that, see pine bluff. However, posting on a message board is just as good as ignoring the problem. It means nothing. People just want to be "right." It's the exact same thing on Facebook. No boots on the ground. No real world solutions. You can start 1 million threads and it won't matter. Show up, make a difference....that'll matter.

Aren't you the guy that kept posting "do better" over and over?

[Razorback_Mack]

Aren't you the guy that kept posting "do better" over and over?

I have no idea what you're talking about. I do remember your profile from when you pm'ed saying you'd beat my a** and you weren't *** with me. Or some childish nonsense. It told me all I needed to know about your character. People like you are a joke to me. I don't even know why I'm replying to you. I'll screen shot your pm to show everybody how stupid you are. Your a little punk.

[RME]

Well the decent enough debate potential that this thread had is completely down the shitter now

[Razorback_Mack]

Well the decent enough debate potential that this thread had is completely down the shitter now

I'm so sorry I ruined your expresso conversation with your barista. Your life is so much more worse because of it.

[RME]

I'm so sorry I ruined your expresso conversation with your barista. Your life is so much more worse because of it.

Didn't even mention you by name, but you assumingly took offense. Well done.

Not sure what an expresso conversation is...is that coffee-talk for a quick (express) conversation? I know an espresso is a drink but...not too familiar with expresso. Do you drink those over the Specific Ocean?



As for talking football, Hugo brought up some good stuff. Consolidation (say Hall and Parkview) could definitely help, but what else would be needed rather than just combining the rosters of those two schools into one team? I'm asking because I legitimately don't know. I know very little about the inner workings of public schools.

[Razorback_Mack]

Didn't even mention you by name, but you assumingly took offense. Well done.

Not sure what an expresso conversation is...is that coffee-talk for a quick (express) conversation? I know an espresso is a drink but...not too familiar with expresso.

Come on mallett, I'm the main one with a different opinion. It's pretty safe to assume you were including me. And I don't care.

Debate it all you want. But is that what you find entertaining? Debating why a school district is failing to do something? It's called armchair quarterbacking. A bunch of grown men that want to complain, whine, and moan without doing a dang thing about it.

[RME]

Come on mallett, I'm the main one with an different opinion. It's pretty safe to assume you were including me. And I don't care.

Debate it all you want. But is that what you find entertaining? Debating why a school district is failing to do something? It's called armchair quarterbacking. A bunch of grown men that want to complain, whine, and moan without doing a dang thing about it.

Me no thinky you understand da function of message board.

So, tell us all what you find entertaining so we may cater to you.

Do you really proactively do something for everything you bitch about?

[Razorback_Mack]

Me no thinky you understand da function of message board.

Do you really proactively do something for everything you bitch about?

Me no thinky you understand manhood. Nutt up and quit bitching. If you do bitch, Nutt up and do something about it.

[LZH]

I have no idea what you're talking about. I do remember your profile from when you pm'ed saying you'd beat my a** and you weren't *** with me. Or some childish nonsense. It told me all I needed to know about your character. People like you are a joke to me. I don't even know why I'm replying to you. I'll screen shot your pm to show everybody how stupid you are. Your a little punk.

Don't remember that, but knock yourself out. Yeah I have a temper and it's fellas like you that love to spit out the pseudo-liberal horseshit that gets on my nerves.

I don't know what "volunteering" has to do with this thread but I will leave the rhetoric to you, since you obviously have been waiting to enlighten us all. But if you want to make a difference, it's the lawyers and the politicos that need to be dressed down - this community action crap is nothing but hollow talk. Typical.

[RME]

Me no thinky you understand manhood. Nutt up and quit bitching. If you do bitch, Nutt up and do something about it.

Very insightful, informative, well-reasoned answer. Your suggestions are duly noted.

[Razorback_Mack]

Don't remember that, but knock yourself out. Yeah I have a temper and it's fellas like you that love to spit out the pseudo-liberal horseshit that gets on my nerves.

I don't know what "volunteering" has to do with this thread but I will leave the rhetoric to you, since you obviously have been waiting to enlighten us all. But if you want to make a difference, it's the lawyers and the politicos that need to be dressed down - this community action crap is nothing but hollow talk. Typical.

Liberal? Me? Hahahaha! I've had my laugh for the night!

I don't want to enlighten you man.

"Volunteering" was to make a point. People are whiners. I've been a whiner in my younger years. If you don't show up or cash up, you don't care. People are worried about football recruits when many kids in the LRSD don't even have a home. Don't have enough food to eat. I said KIDS. If your priority is football recruits you have one of two problems. You have no idea what's going on and you need to show up and see for yourself. That's the volunteering aspect. Or you're just somebody that wants to whine without any merit. Blame lawyers, blame politicians, but see where that gets you. It won't get you anywhere.

[LZH]

Liberal? Me? Hahahaha! I've had my laugh for the night!

I don't want to enlighten you man.

"Volunteering" was to make a point. People are whiners. I've been a whiner in my younger years. If you don't show up or cash up, you don't care. People are worried about football recruits when many kids in the LRSD don't even have a home. Don't have enough food to eat. I said KIDS. If you're priority is football recruits you have one of two problems. You have no idea what's going on and you need to show up and see for yourself. That's the volunteering aspect. Or you're just somebody that wants to whine without any merit. Blame lawyers, blame politicians, but see where that gets you. It won't get you anywhere.

Well if you're talking about the kids, that isn't exclusive to Little Rock ya know. Same problem exists here in Florida...places like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, and here in Tampa Bay. But the inner-city schools in these communities are not hamstrung by lawsuits, etc. And they put a pretty high priority on athletics. Some damn fine stadiums and gymnasiums (and schools in general) in rough areas down here.

There are a lot of very good athletes in Little Rock that are walking the halls, or walking the streets, that care nothing about getting home after 8 o'clock from football practice because it is considered extra-curricular and therefore doesn't start until four o'clock.

[Razorback_Mack]

Well if you're talking about the kids, that isn't exclusive to Little Rock ya know. Same problem exists here in Florida...places like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, and here in Tampa Bay. But the inner-city schools in these communities are not hamstrung by lawsuits, etc. And they put a pretty high priority on athletics. Some damn fine stadiums and gymnasiums (and schools in general) in rough areas down here.

There are a lot of very good athletes in Little Rock that are walking the halls, or walking the streets, that care nothing about getting home after 8 o'clock from football practice because it is considered extra-curricular and therefore doesn't start until four o'clock.

And Florida has much more money than Arkansas. Check that for me even though I know it's not remotely close.

[go hogues]

It would never happen but I do think if someone could privately finance his salary through a non profit, Houston Nutt could have a vision and enthusiasm for how to turn the tides of LRSD football.

Again, his ego would never allow it and no one would finance it but I do think it would take something like that to change things. Like him or not, I think his connection to LR and rah rah mantra could light a fire.

[factchecker]

https://twitter.com/EllenTeam20/status/808527356814094336