School board upholds limited gym hours on Sunday

By Tim Pinkham, T-H Correspondent

November 17, 2008 11:41 pm

— LOOGOOTEE — Should Sunday be a day for family or church, or just another day for playing sports?
The issue of Sunday basketball practices at Loogootee school gyms was discussed Monday night by the Loogootee School Board.
Superintendent Larry Weitkamp said present school policy restricts the use of Loogootee gyms to between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays. He said this policy had been established by previous school boards at the urging of the local ministerial association.
Weitkamp said an effort has been made to avoid scheduling sporting events on Sunday and Wednesday nights, so as not to conflict with church youth group meetings.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association forbids high school teams from practicing or playing games on Sunday.
Board Member Larry Gates said an independent girls’ basketball league had requested use of Loogootee’s Elementary East gym from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
No other board member expressed support for extending Sunday gym hours.
“Sunday is one day a kid can get a break from sports,” said Board Member David Lingenfelter.
“There needs to be a time for families to be a family,” said Board Member Scott Hall.
He said family time and church time were more important.
Weitkamp said the school board had the authority to change the present policy concerning Sunday gym hours, but until that happened he was going to follow the current policy. He said Athletic Director Scott Reid tries to be consistent in following school policy.
No one made a motion to change the policy and the board took no action.
Board President Eric Ackerman was absent due to a work commitment.