TIME TO VOTE

Why is the 13^th Region trying to make a mountain out of a molehill? On the table is an opportunity for the 13^th region basketball tournaments to be played at The Arena in Corbin.

The new Arena is a beautiful complex that would be the answer to all the old problems of playing the tournament in two sessions with plenty of spacious seating, a college atmosphere for the bands, cheerleaders and teams.

At least that was my impression of the presentation by Arena Manager Cliff Clinger Monday as he took principals, athletic directors and coaches on a tour of the facility.

Now, it is up to the schools to decide whether they want to have the tournament at The Arena. But, no one wants to take the bull by the horn and get the answer.

Officials from Corbin High School don’t want to come out and take charge because they don’t want to strain any relations with any other teams in the region and make it look like they are getting an advantage. I can understand that, but at the same time, Athletic Director Gerald Foley is as fair as any person I have ever been around. He truly puts the athletes first.

I understand the concern that no high school in the 13^th region wants another team getting an advantage. But, what kind of advantage is a team going to get playing one or two games at a facility like this? None.

If they were to practice there day after day, maybe they would, but that is not going to happen. When you have a facility like The Arena shouldn’t it be showcased. Look at Rupp Arena. The Convention Center in Frankfort, the Exposition Center in Pikeville.  Rupp Arena hosts a big preseason scrimmage that goes on all day with 10 games, in Frankfort they play the Kentucky Prep Classic.

Don’t let jealously ruin a good thing.

Parking was an issue at the meeting Monday, but Clinger told the group additional parking on both sides of the Arena would be added by next year. “Parking is a little problem right now,” he said. “But, that’s a good problem. That means people are coming.”

Yes, it is a good problem. If we can move a river out of a town, like Pikeville did, then we should be able to move some more of that mountain at the top of the hill and add plenty of parking or at least in the near future build a parking garage. Let’s hope The Arena is here to stay and we keeping going forward with the improvement of the facility.

There is no scheduled meeting for the vote on The Arena. Only because everyone is waiting on someone else to make a decision. The KHSAA is not going to step in and say “make a decision guys”. The region tournament belongs to the 17 schools in this section of the state and it’s their call. If they want to keep a rotation in tact, they can, but if they get nine votes in favor of The Arena, then the majority rules.

One thing that I have not mentioned is the fact that every school will benefit from the change and not just the eight participating teams in the tournament. The Arena plans to give each school in the region approximately $2,000 each year and the eight participating schools an additional cut.

Teams that hardly ever make the tournament will benefit and that is $2,000 that they can add to their budget each year. It’s a win-win situation for the 13^th region.

There are very few risks in going to The Arena. I am one who at first was against playing the tournament away from the high schools, but the last few years have been tough for me as a reporter trying to cover the games, whether it be getting a spot on press row, a parking pass, good interview locations.

When I was at The Arena Monday, I could visualize the teams on the floor, the bands in the end zone, the student body in their own cheering section, the cheerleaders on the floor and the fans spread out enjoying the entire tournament.

I understand the decision will probably not come until sometime next month unless someone takes charge. Just remember what a win-win situation this can be for the entire region.