The love of money is contagious
Do you believe in magic? After the trick I saw the Harlingen school district’s athletic program pull off Saturday night, I do.
With the wave of a magic wand that comes in the form of money, I saw the HCISD athletic department magically transform from a noble prince into a greedy wicked wizard.
Let me explain.
For those of you that don’t know, last week the Harlingen school district and Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings spent a few days battling for the right to use Harlingen Field.
To make a long story shorter, both entities had games scheduled at the same time and neither one wanted to give into the other.
In the end the school district won control of the field and the games were played as planned.
However, the Wings took advantage of the situation to make money by opening their concession stands and they even attempted to charge for parking before a restraining order prevented them from dong so.
The Wings even went so far as to search bags in an attempt to make sure fans weren’t bringing in outside food or beverages that might put a dent in their bottom line.
Supporters of the school district wasted no time vilifying the Wings. Here was this “evil” organization that was only interested in making money. Meanwhile, the school district played the role of victim to perfection. After all, they were in this for the kids, not the money.
Well the school district apparently learned a thing or two about making an extra buck from this whole sorted affair.
On Saturday, a couple of my colleagues here at the newspaper were denied admittance to Game 3 of the Harlingen South-Weslaco playoff series at Harlingen
Field when they tried to catch a few innings during their dinner break.
The pair flashed their media badges and were quickly informed that since they were not there to officially cover the game they must pay to get in.
Now I know what some of you are thinking. Why should a pair of off-duty journalists be allowed into the game for free?
The truth is, I agreed with the decision and I’m not writing this column in an attempt to garner sympathy. I’m only pointing out the irony here.
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that getting into a game while on an hour-long dinner break is a perk of working in the sports department. I’ll admit to walking into a few athletic events while on my dinner break sans payment.
Getting into games for free was never a problem in the past, but I guess it is now and I’ll make sure the Star’s sports department follows this new policy.
In a way I can see the school district’s reasoning. By letting these two guys in for free they would have lost, what, $6? Maybe $10. Whatever. It’s money that would have put a dent in their bottom line.
Apparently making money is not only the Wings’ priority, is it?
Dave Favila is the sports editor of the Valley Morning Star. He can be reached at davidf@valleystar.com or at 956-430-6214.
