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Blake Announces Co-Op Football Program

By Blake Athletics, 03/13/15, 3:15PM CDT

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The Blake School announces plans for a new co-operative football program with Minnehaha Academy and St. Paul Academy (SPA).

For the next two academic years (2015-16 and 2016-17) Blake students who wish to play football will do so on a team that includes students from Minnehaha Academy and SPA. The coaching staff will also include members from all three participating schools. The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) will review plans for the co-op program and vote on it in the coming weeks. Blake’s Middle School football program will remain at the school; it will not be a part of the co-op.

The co-operative arrangement comes at a time of declining student participation in football programs at the national and state levels. Without a co-op arrangement, next year Blake would likely have 15 to 20 football players on a team, rather than the 35 to 40 players that typically make up football teams at schools of Blake’s size. Entering into this co-operative means that Blake’s football program will continue and thrive during a time of lower student participation.

At the end of the the two years, the three participating schools will evaluate the arrangement to determine whether to continue with the co-operative or return to individual school-based programs.

The co-operative arrangement ensures a safer, more rewarding playing environment for students. It supports them to play and develop skills at the level that best suits them. It allows for more tailored practice time and to have both a junior varsity and a varsity team. It also gives students and coaches the opportunity to work collaboratively with partnering schools.

In the coming weeks, the co-op schools will announce the fall 2015 practice and game schedules, the coaching staff, the team name and colors, and other relevant details.