re: Louisiana baws, What's the deal with John Curtis Christian in NOLA?

Keep this in mind... in Louisiana 20 percent of the students in the State go to private or religious schools, more than any other State in the US. And in S.Louisiana, the number is more like 40 percent. The private-religious schools generally have superior facilities, coaching, a more motivated student body, better admin support for athletics, and far better parental support than most public schools, north shore and N.LA excepted.

The John Curtis school was founded about late 1960s as a Christian outreach... and the athletic program was (and is) originally a tool in that program. They are a Div 2A size school but because of their incredible athletic program they have played up at d-4A and now d-5A, the highest classification for almost 20 years.

The LHSAA voted to force out the so called “select” private and public charter schools for playoff championships a few years ago...though in typical hypocritical mode, the so-called public districted schools continued to play against the select schools during the season because of revenue enhancement. This vote is widely regarded as a joke because most of the public schools recruit their axes off and pay little attention to so-called district lines.

Coach Curtis, sons, coaches will tell you that the athletic success of HC draws potentially troubled but athletically talent kids and that they don’t recruit for athletics... which is a stretch but they do have a point.,And despite what some may believe, their academic program is not light weight... decent with some very good scholars. But it is aimed at the athletic student who may be less of a force in the classroom.

The Hoover win did enhance their out of state reputation... but the school was nationally ranked long before that game. For such a successful program not that many a percent of JC kids have had a big college or pro career. They get the most out of what students they have...and Curtis shares, praises, invites, supports other teams even if much less capable. I remember going to watch summer drills where teams such as Country Day were invited...Coach Curtis and team were very willing to talk and share.

Unlike many large Louisiana high schools, the different sports teams at Curtis share players willingly. Trying to play two or three sports at most 5A LA schools is asking to be benched.