WPIAL Losing Fan Interests

The WPIAL is losing the interest of its fans. I know a lot of people can remember packed gyms and traveling to watch away games. Certainly everyone knows football and basketball crowds aren’t what they used to be. I know the WPIAL was really happy with the large crowds for the Basketball Finals, but not having those games on TV doesn’t showcase the games to larger audience. I’ve asked the WPIAL Director Tim O’Malley numerous times to come on my show, but he doesn’t care to venture north of Allegheny County. The future seems to point to less high school sports coverage in newspapers, more entertainment options, and college and pro sports on TV 24/7. Also a lot of the fan base besides parents and students are aging. The WPIAL might also be in for problems when the teacher’s pension issues hit in a couple of years, which could cancel some school athletics teams. If the WPIAL doesn’t get a forward thinker involved, interest in high school will continue to dwindle.