Since January of 2021, we have seen the highest rate of inflation this country has ever seen in 40 years.  I am sure we have all experienced pain at the gas pump lately as well.  Every time I am here, it seems to have jumped up a few more cents every week.  But not only is it affecting just us and how much more we are spending just to live our daily lives, but it also is affecting school funding and how much as well as what supplies can be ordered and paid for in a timely manner. 

Of course it could greatly affect all sports but mostly lacrosse and hockey, two of the most expensive sports in terms of supplies and other necessary equipment.  There are some sports here at IHS that do not receive funding from the school district to buy equipment and create new or improved uniforms and logos.  Take track and field for example, they use the same uniforms and equipment every single year.  While other sports such as football do receive funding from the school.  Football definitely requires lots of equipment not only for games but more for training.  Whatever the case may be, this will have an impact on such sports.

You might be asking yourself “Which sport do you think will be most greatly affected?”  Or even “Will my sport be affected?”  I had the opportunity to speak to a few student athletes on what their thoughts were on what was and is going on and how it could affect sports that receive funding from the school district.  Senior Hannah Mogle told me “As a volleyball player for IHS, my solution to take on inflation for school sports funding would be to have fundraisers to buy necessities for the teams like the chipotle fundraiser used for MiniThon or even just having normal fundraisers to help with the funds of new equipment, jerseys, bags, etc.”  And Senior Owen Lawson responded when asked with “The sport that will greatly be affected would be lacrosse due to being under funded by the school, and because their players have to pay for all their gear.  Yes, track and field receives school funding.  Our sport is not being affected due to all the equipment being bought already and due to reusing the same gear year to year.  Solution to help would be to help and support the sports who need equipment yearly and cut costs of the football team and distribute their funds to other teams.”