I think like most everywhere numbers are going down for participation. IDK if it's a temporary anomaly for Salem or if this is the new normal. A lot of things have affected this generation of football players and their families. Concussions and repetitive head trauma are better understood, the post COVID effect, rise of travel teams/AAU/specialization, and so many entertaining options pulling at their time. When we moved to Salem 20 years ago, it seemed like there were closer to 100 V/JV kids and now it has dwindled down to around 60 for V/JV. The difference from last year to this year seemed to have been a more dramatic drop, especially coming off a title appearance. But, it's been a gradual drop over time. Here are the numbers for each class in football:
Sr 15
Jr 13
So 12
Fr 21
8th ~30
7th ~30
I don't think there has been much change in the overall student enrollment. I have noticed more kids specializing in certain sports. Lacrosse seems more popular than it used to be. Football is tough and it's a big time commitment.
There are positive and negative ramifications for this, but in the near future there will be 3 new housing and apartment developments in Salem. That will add more residents, presumably more school aged children, and hopefully some interested in football. With the shift in demographics across the state Salem has actually dropped down the C4 list to be in the lower 1/3 of C4. Maybe these new developments will put Salem back in the middle to upper half of C4 enrollment.
