Not long ago, high school students who wanted to play football, basketball or another sport had few options other than trying out for their school team. And it was to high school gymnasiums and fields that recruiters flocked to find talent for colleges and even the pros. That's changed in recent decades as private clubs have emerged and soared in popularity across the country. Today, kids interested in pretty much any sport often have multiple clubs and leagues to choose from instead of playing on their high school's varsity squads. Clubs have been especially good at attracting the most talented student-athletes due to their intense and competitive nature. As a former K-12 director of athletics ' and as a current parent of three youth athletes from elementary to the collegiate level ' I know it can be a tough choice. I've seen firsthand the pros and cons of playing sports both in high school and clubs. While clubs may be best for the most talented athletes, I believe schools can't...
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