Pay To Play

In recent years, one of the worst things to come out of high school athletics is Pay to Play. It means exactly what it says. Athletes must pay a fee in order to play their sport.

Pay to play is ruining high school sports. It's unbelievable. Even with the bad economy, pay to play is still taking place. We need to be able to conserve our money right now, not spend it. This year alone, its costs $100 per high school athlete, and $50 per middle school athlete. That means that if your a sixth grader right now, and you play football through your senior year of high school you will spend $550 dollars on football. And what if you also play basketball and baseball? Thats like two mortgage payments on your parents house. And also, for some sports, like hockey, lacrosse, downhill skiing, and bowling, there are previously established fees, which cost more than the normal rate.

"I wish we didn't have it," Principal Rick Jones said.

"It's an unnecessary aspect of the game," Varsity Football Head Coach Todd Schultz said. "The money doesn't even go toward sports, it goes to the academics first, so it's very difficult to fund some of the after school sports."

Even members of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) are against Pay to Play. In fact, they are trying to ban it in public schools.

"Participation fees drive students away from playing their sport," MHSAA Director Jack Roberts said.

Yes equipment costs a lot, but its unfair to make the parents pay for everything. To have their child play, watch their child play, and attend the team banquet at the end of the season. For god sake, it even costs money to be in the Musical and Marching Band.

Pay to play needs to stop. Its ridiculous to make parents pay over $500 in four years just to have their kid play sports.