Gold in Trouble?

[gunshy]

Just forward thinking.....with the poor economy straining every travel team's budget, could these extreme conditions make true Gold level play unrealistic? I can't imagine staring down the barrel of a schedule that requires 4-5 fly-in tournaments this summer.

[NumeroUno]

If you hit the right showcases this summer you could actually be on the road or in the air for almost 6 weeks this summer at the cost of about 10K

[jag1]

there are several parents that definitely plan on splitting travel costs this year on our team. Almost half of our team has at least one of the bread-winners out of work, and a couple more have taken new jobs for substantially less money..! It is a difficult situation, because you have to honor the committment for the good of the entire team, even though your budget says otherwise...! (but hey, you gotta have your priorities...hitting lessons, hotels, travel costs, ect....lol!)

[looking in]

Don't know alot about gold!! other than the best of the best, except in this state! Way to many PARENTS, not kids, think that's the way to get those D1 scholarships! Do the girls want an 8 hour a day job, while trying to get an education? I would think most don't! Why go all over the country when most of the studs in the state end up here!! Indiana!! You pay for most of the education traveling the country! D1, D2, D3, NAIA, who cares if they are getting some $$ for an education that will last forever!! Not alot of olympians in this state!! Yes, i would think Gold is in trouble! Not a good time to live outside your means!!

[lumpy]

You don't know much about gold, but you know it's not the best in the state. I am sorry they don't meet your high standards. Girls mature, teams pick up players, and what you see in the fall isn't the final product. I don't think you need to insult an entire group of girls because you are having a bad day. By the way, I have wasted money on dumber things like my retirement which was stolen by the financial geniuses of the world.

[looking in]

I wasn't putting anybody down!! I'm just say alot of girls(parents) think they need to be playing "Gold" and they don't!! Nor should be! We only have 5 or so "gold team in the state! not to mention all 16U and below teams saying "gold"!! of the 5 or so playing, 1 may have a shot at getting to nationals! Gold was suppose to be for the elite!! We have a few, but not what you would have in Socal or AZ! They go to school around here, why pay tons of $$ to play ball? Also, i had a great day and hope you did too!

[Canocorn]

You act as though there are 30 gold teams. (there are 3 active, dreams, TI, Magic) Go look at the dreams schedule. They dont play everywhere, they play quality teams. Nothing wrong with challenging the girls. And the girls on these teams, more often than not go to out of state institutions. I would put the xtreme91 in that class also, they have several going to out of state schools. You sound angry...

Also, just because it says gold in their team name, doesnt mean jack. They are not playing Gold anything. example 12u Team Indiana Gold (it represents a color).

[looking in]

What about The Shockwaves (red and white 18U) They both say they are playing Gold! Magic 16U "Gold" is following the 18s around all summer, minus one or 2! And when you say out of state, it's still with in a 2 to 3 hr drive! Miami of Ohio, Morehead State, and such. How do i sound angry? I'm just stating my thoughts on the subject!I didn't say they was anything wrong with playing gold, other than the $$, and there are more girls(parents) moving that way that maybe shouldn't. Look at the cali board, they are complaing that "gold" is getting" watered down! Like 16U in this state! Canocorn and lumpy have a great day and keep up the post! Been slow on here the past week or so, which means i have to work more!:)

[gunshy]

Sorry, didn't mean to spark a "worthiness of gold" debate. I know there are teams that are in trouble already due to financial issues of parents and it is only March. If this economy doesn't turn around somewhat quickly, it will have a big impact on our sport sooner rather than later.
As for Gold, Corn is correct that there are only a few teams that are what most would consider true Gold teams. If there are only 3 in Indiana, how many in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky? Point being, how do these true Gold teams find worthy competition without extensive travel or without playing the same 5 teams every weekend? Regardless of the level, it is uninspiring to play the same 3-4 teams every weekend.

[Mick]

What would a schedule look like for an Indiana Gold team? I was on the Dreams website looking at their schedule and it did not look like an excessive amount of travel. A qualifier in Missouri, a qualifier in Indiana, a few tourneys in Illinois and Ohio and nationals in OK city. Is that an average schedule for a Midwestern Gold team?