WISH LIST FOR IMPROVING THE ATMOSPHERE OF PREP SPORTS.

Byline: GERRY GITTELSON

Make me boss and I would:

Build football stadiums at every Santa Clarita high school, not just some of them. Stadiums are an important way for schools to identify themselves, and, logistically, it's a major hassle to play ``home'' games at a rival school. Here we go spending millions of dollars on artificial turf but no seats? That's silly.

Eliminate about half of the prep playoff divisions in the Southern Section, thereby adding much more significance to winning a title. The effect of such a change would be no more sub-.500 or fourth-place teams making the playoffs. Like the old days when I was in high school, football teams would need to go 8-2 or perhaps 7-3 to qualify for the postseason. Same deal for the other sports. You want to make the playoffs? You've really got to earn it.

Provide cash bonuses to prep coaches who qualify for the playoffs and/or win section titles. If someone like Hart's Mike Herrington or Canyon's Harry Welch is willing to outwork other coaches, he deserves more money -- just like in real life.

Take away the microphones from cheerleaders at prep football games. We appreciate the somersaults, human pyramids and general lift in spirit, but the amplified screaming and chanting isn't tolerable.

While on the subject of cheerleaders, transportation needs to be provided for far-off away games, especially during the playoffs. It was ridiculous, for instance, that no cheerleaders made the trip for Hart's girls' basketball victory at San Diego in the second round of the state playoffs last season.

Allow food to be eaten inside the gymnasium at prep basketball games -- even if that means schools must dish out an extra $50 or $100 to for a cleanup crew afterward. It's the worst having to wolf down a hot dog and Coke in the lobby during a timeout or break between periods because we aren't allowed to bring in food or drinks purchased at the snack bar.

Build an accessible bathroom near the baseball fields at Canyon, Valencia and Saugus. This is a no-brainer.

Allow marching bands from both home and away schools to perform at prep football games, instead of just the home school's band. If such a thing isn't in the budget, then it needs to be from now on. Doesn't anyone understand the ``battle of the bands'' concept?

Eliminate restrictions on the number of innings a prep baseball pitcher is allotted per week. No one wants to see injuries, but coaches should be trusted to use their best judgment. No one would think of limiting the number of carries for a running back in football -- a much more dangerous sport -- so why make the rule in baseball?

Mete out real punishments if a prep coach or administrator is at fault in eligibility issues that cost a team victories or a playoff spot. No one hesitates to punish a student for not living up to his responsibilities, so why shouldn't an adult be held to the same standard?

Gerry Gittelson's column appears in the Daily News three times a week.

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com

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