How many of you out their have ever played fantasy football before? For those who haven't here is how it's played. Each person in your fantasy football league drafts who they believe is the best available player for each position out of every NFL player. Your end product is a team you have created from top to bottom with an all-star at almost every position. Now had that team been put on the field in reality, you could be looking at the best team in the history of football. Problem is all the other teams in your fantasy league got to draft who they thought were the best available players at each position as well. So competition for the most part should be tough. But what if only you and a few other people were allowed too draft or "recruit" a team in your league. And everyone else was only given what he or she was allowed for his or her team. And it was out of their control. Sound fair? Common sense tells you those teams that were allowed to draft or "recruit" their players, will be the elite teams of that league. And if these were real teams and athletes, what teams do you think those athletes would rather compete for? The teams were all the talent is going? Or the teams that were only allowed certain athletes in their "boundaries" regardless of their talent level? How can everyone be on the same level playing field?

That same scenario is played out every year during the off-season for high school sports teams in Illinois. And other states all throughout the country. A debate you can start up almost any were no matter what side you fall on, or what sport you're a fan of. The Illinois High School Wrestling Association has that same scenario as well each year. Catholic Schools throughout the state of Illinois are allowed to scout, contact and recruit wrestlers from all over the state (or out of state) to come and wrestle for their team during their high school career. Recruited or offered information on there school for academic reasons or athletic reasons is a big part of that debate. Now many catholic league fans, coaches and even athletes will start off the debate stating that scouting and recruiting is not nearly as prevalent as people believe. And many of the athletes contact them about attending their school before the school pursues the athlete. That it was the athlete's choice to come to them and attend. But even if the catholic school does not pursue certain athletes did they even really need too? Lets say you have a wrestler who has had great success in the sport of wrestling before going to high school. And the athlete has the choice of attending a catholic school with some of the best coaching in the state on a team that will be receiving national exposure as they compete for the state title, or the public school in that students school district not known for its coaching or team success. Which school do you think that athlete is going to choose? And which high school are the colleges going to be looking at to further that athlete's and there own wrestling programs success? Well wait simple common sense is going to tell you the wrestler will want to go were he or she has the best chance of improving his or her own individual skills and becoming a better wrestler right? So why is that the catholic schools problem? Simple the same reason that same public school was overlooked bye that same athlete. For example, lets say one year that public school has five or six in-coming freshman that have the potential and experience to become Illinois high school state champions. But four or five of those students either choose a catholic school or are recruited bye a catholic school. Now the public school is only getting one or two of those incoming freshman out of there five or six they were expecting. When this happens year after year to that same school and quality wrestlers are taken away from them each year, how is that un-successful public school ever going to create a successful wrestling program? And not only does it hurt that public schools sporting program but it can hurt their education program as well. They may not only be losing a great wrestler to that catholic school but a great student who could be at the top of their academic class as well. But there are two sides to every debate. How can anyone question a student and the student's family on deciding were they believed the best educational opportunities are? What if that catholic school is right down the street from were that athlete lives? What if that family basis its decision on religious reasons? What if the local public school in that child's district is at the bottom of the list when it comes to quality education in the state. It is the family and students right to go were they feel they will get the best education possible for his or her child. That is why this may very well be were this debate begins and ends. Taking it from a sporting side however, take a look at the results of the past decade in Illinois high school wrestling duals. And tell me recruiting vs. non- recruiting schools doesn't make a difference. There may be unavoidable or individual circumstances that can justify why some students would attend a catholic school over their towns public school. But how do we know who truthfully falls under that category and who doesn't?

One reason this problem has continued is because there are some very successful, great coaching and competitive public school wrestling teams year in and year out who are able to compete with the catholic schools "all star teams". So until it gets completely lopsided is anything ever going to be done? And what could be done for that matter? Compensation to the public schools for the talent they've lost? Separate wrestling leagues taking the best from Class A and AA on both sides Catholic and public going against each other? The ideas and controversy could never end. Is it fair too those public schools that will always be on the bottom of the talent pool? With all the public schools that loose talent which lies in their school district each year. Or is it fair that the catholic schools get pigeon holed bye being put in the "stolen talent" category even though students may be making decisions based on there own reasons, or parents reasons that are beyond the school's control. One thing is certain, beating that kid who lives in your district but chose the catholic all star team, or watching the public school "home grown" kids beat the "Fantasy team" will always make it that much sweeter to enjoy watching as a true sports fan , In my opinion. So who has more incentive when both sides compete on the mat? But even after all of this!!!!!!!!!!!! No matter what side your on, doesn't this entire thing come down to the student or "parents" decision of were his or her believe there son or daughter can better themselves for a brighter future weather its in education or sports? Freedom of choice! That freedom alone is what will always send this debate in circles.. We live in America and along with our own personal reasons in this decision we have the freedom to choose were we believe our child should attend high school. And no matter how fair or unfair one side may seem. No matter what side we take or decision we choose being right or wrong under this topic will always be someone's opinion. I believe we can never change "The freedom of choice". But what we can do is level the playing field for both sides. What is morally right to one person may not be the same view another shares. So when someone asks you the question is catholic school "recruiting" vs. public school "limitations" fair? What side will you take? I bet you can tell what side HawkEye's on!

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