"RETURN DIVING TO OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOLS"

High school diving was removed from Oklahoma High Schools in April 2008 after the High School State Championship. We believe this decision was made based on mis-information/misunderstanding of the current interest in diving in our state. There are, in fact, several children that were planning to compete for their respective schools during the 2008-2009 school year, and throughout their high school career.

Diving is an excellent way for athletes to represent their high schools with pride, as well as an amazing opportunity to earn a college scholarship. It is also very prestigious to have achieved the status of "All-American" during high school, and is a definite plus when college recruiters are looking for divers to offer scholarships. "All-American" can not be achieved without high school diving.

In addition, the interest in High School Diving would increase exponentially if it were again joined with swimming, so an athletes efforts were recognized for their High Schools during State Championships.

The children in the state who participate in the honored sport of diving were done a great dis-service when swimming and diving were separated in Oklahoma High Schools. They have fought through many trials, including the loss of four coaches (one due to embezzlement), to keep diving alive. Finally, they suffered another tragedy when diving was removed from OSSAA sanctioned athletics.

As concerned parents and citizens of the Great State of Oklahoma, we the undersigned, implore you to reinstate High School Diving immediately as an OSSAA sanctioned sport, and allow these young athletes to achieve athletic success and recognition throughout their High School Careers.