Wussification? Seriously? I have no doubt there are kids now that might have played football 20,30,40 years ago that choose to not play. And, yes, part of that is because of the inherent risk of injury in football. If you ask me, that is just being smart. Especially for a kid that has other options, and who is not likely to go on to play football in college.
The #1 reason(in my opinion) is population decline. For those of that can remember, think back to how many players the Tressel coached teams had from Ytown City Schools. When I went to YSU(86-91), there were 5 high schools in Ytown city. There are now 2, but with only 1 football team combined.
Warren had 2 high schools, then in 90 or 91 combined into 1 high school. The enrollment at WGH has declined significantly in the last 20+ years.
I graduated from Fitch in 1986, in a class of about 550 students. Overall enrollment was about 2,100. I'd be surprised if enrollment at Fitch is much more than 1,500-1,600 now. Same thing with Boardman.
Tressel's teams had multiple players from Warren JFK that played key roles on those teams. Now, JFK barely has enough kids to remain open. Enrollment declined so much that the 2nd floor is now used as a Middle School.
With the exception of some of the outlying school districts, I'd say ALL districts have seen drastic declines in enrollment from the 80's and 90's.
We also now live in an era where coaches of basketball and baseball want their kids playing basketball and baseball ALL YEAR LONG. I am old enough to remember the days when it was the "crazy football coach" that supposedly wanted their players lifting all off season, and not playing other sports. The thing is, while this was the case with some coaches, for most they just wanted their athletes being active in the off-season. If NOT playing basketball or wrestling in the winter, then be in the weight-room with football team. If not running track or playing baseball in the Spring, be in the weight-room.
Football coach's are a strange breed, but as a person who did not play football, I can tell you that the real problem for specialization lies with coach's from other sports(especially basketball and baseball), and also parents. Seems every parent believes their son(or daughter) is going to get a full ride in a sport to college. And, given the cost of college now days, I think that happens more than ever.
The quality and importance of high school football is still there in Ytown/Warren. What is lacking is the pool of D1 caliber players. Does not seem as if YSU is losing Ytown/Warren area kids to other FCS schools, and the overall number of kids from the area signing with D1 schools is decreasing. That happens with population decline.
One last point. YSU has had a "pipeline" of orts to Florida going all the way back to Narduzzi. Tressel built upon that, and also selective used 1A/FCS and JUCO transfers. Some of these transfers were local kids, but many were not.
