618 High School Huddle

The IHSA is kicking high school students to the curb. This might be one of the most ridiculous examples yet of how badly this organization has lost its way. Explain this one to me, all you IHSA Kool-Aid drinkers who defend this private third-party tonedeaf business: How is there not an automatic educational exemption allowing student-run broadcasting programs to cover their own schools at home during the postseason? No commercial rights fees, no exclusivity restrictions, no exceptions. These are students in school LEARNING. That should be the end of the conversation. But this is just another reason why Illinois needs a second high school athletic association. Look at @BrotherRiceTV. Student broadcasters learning journalism, communications, video production and technology are being told they cannot broadcast their own school’s playoff football game because of the IHSA’s agreement with the NFHS Network. These aren’t ESPN employees. They’re high school kids trying to learn. Think about how asinine this is. We encourage kids to pursue careers in journalism, broadcasting and communications. Schools invest in technology, equipment, educational programs and real-world learning opportunities. The IHSA is telling those same kids to step aside on their own home field, so they can make money at a school where they’ve been broadcasting games all season and have even been showcased by Marquee Sports Network? Who in the hell is serving whom? Where are the school superintendents, principals, athletic directors and school boards? Why aren’t they demanding answers? The IHSA reported nearly $16 million in annual revenue recently and we’re telling student broadcasters they cannot cover their own school’s playoff game on their home field? How does that advance education-based athletics? The IHSA should be opening doors for kids, not slamming them shut. Here’s the bigger issue, and I’ve been telling you this: Illinois is overdue for a second high school association, one that serves kids, families, schools and communities first - not second. Since 2019, I’ve been studying different association models and meeting with school leaders across the country about creating an alternative in Illinois. Texas has the UIL and TAPPS, among other organizations. Iowa has separate governing bodies for boys and girls athletics. Florida has created a great second model that schools are flocking, too, because it helps all kids - not some kids. Illinois needs choice, not another organization obsessed with protecting its own authority. One that embraces educational opportunities instead of restricting them, respects families instead of trying to control them, operates transparently and one that forces them to earn the trust of its member schools instead of assuming those schools have nowhere else to go. Competition creates innovation and better service. I never thought it was possible, but here is something public and private school leaders and fans should finally be able to agree on: Kids should never - ever - lose educational opportunities. Brother Rice TV is one example of a much bigger problem. Speaking of bigger problems, I'd love to see a full public accounting of what happened in the 24 hours leading up to this year's IHSA girls flag football state finals. Were there potential Title IX concerns behind the scenes? Oh there were and lawyers were close to getting involved. Can’t make this stuff up. When the organization created to serve high schools becomes an obstacle to educating high school students and serving them, it's time to change the organization. The question is no longer whether Illinois could benefit from a second association, it’s whether school leaders have the courage to build one. The IHSA doesn't own high school sports in Illinois - the schools do. The kids are the reason those sports exist, and it's about time everyone remembered that. #MoreThanJUSTGames

The IHSA has a control problem. And once again, kids are paying the price for lack of common sense by an outdated state association and a soccer coaches association that is utterly useless. Let’s talk about Lake View High School in Chicago. The school had to forfeit its postseason soccer game against Chicago Academy, because kids participated in CLASA, an outside soccer league. Read that again: A kid wanted to play soccer in his free time. Not commit a crime, not cheat on a test, not hurt another student….but play soccer in his free time. What are we doing? Think about this: A kid can spend three hours playing pickup soccer at a park every single night with friends. No problem. But put referees on the field, organize teams and keep score, now the IHSA has a problem. It views this as revenue competition to its so-called “territory.” The punishment for a player playing soccer in their free time: An entire team loses its postseason opportunity. How unbelievably backwards is that? What are we doing? This is where the IHSA logo hides adults, because no one takes the blame for sacking innocent kids. We have school administrators, health professionals and community leaders spending enormous amounts of time, energy and money encouraging kids to exercise daily, stay active, improve their mental health and develop lifelong self-care habits. Then we have the IHSA punishing kids for doing exactly what we’re encouraging them to do. Here’s what I want people to understand: The IHSA does not own kids, their free time or the sport of soccer. The IHSA, which only exists because of kids, shouldn’t act as if participation in its revenue-generating tournaments gives it unlimited authority over a kid’s free time and life. How many kids ride the bench most of the high school season on many teams, because of ego-driven coaches who worry more about wins? So those kids - or any kids - can’t go play in an organize league in their free time, especially on a Sunday when school isn’t in session and most CLASA games are played? What are we doing? The IHSA is supposed to serve student athletes…not the other way around. Here’s the question nobody inside the IHSA seems interested in answering: Who exactly benefited from this punishment? Did it make kids healthier or make high school sports better? Or did it simply flex a private third-party business’ ability to micromanage a kid’s life, because it’s insecure about competition? Common sense matters. Stop confusing control with leadership. Soon - I’m telling you - there will be a second high school association in Illinois. And the IHSA will have no one to blame but itself. #MoreThanJUSTGames