The Cost of Winning

Austin and Mitch discuss the HBO documentary series The Cost of Winning. In four parts over two hours, it shows an unusual football season at St. Francis Academy in Baltimore. This tiny private school in one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country has become one of the best high school football programs in the country, and it's players have remarkably high rates of college acceptance and scholarships. The coach, Biff Poggi, is  independently wealthy, and he has invested a lot of money and time into the program. The stories of these players are evidence that it has paid off. It's an interesting look at a high school football program, focusing on different elements of the game than most documentaries. We discuss the societal factors at play, and do a little bit of digging beyond the scope of the show.



Links:

Trailer
ESPN article about St. Francis's team
Esquire interview with Poggi a year after the filming