[16thregioner]

Here's a grand idea ... how about kids go to school in the district in which their parent/s live and pay school taxes. For goodness sakes, we are talking about high school sports!!
Any school that chooses not to follow this simple rule can join the private schools in one big classification. No holds barred, NIL, straight cash, hype videos, cars, gold chains, apartments and even escorts. This way good Ol' dad and little Jimmy can live out their lifelong dream of being a professional.

The last sanctity of sports is on the verge of collapse. Free agency did it to professional sports, the transfer portal & NIL has changed college sports, and now school sports are falling victim to overzealous parents / fans / schools.

I have a great appreciation for the programs that continue to succeed because their communities have great little leagues run by folks in those communities rather than those giving in to the newfound all-star way of life.

Before anyone starts, my philosophy is far from "everyone gets a trophy" crap. In fact, I'm worried what lessons kids are learning from all this ship jumping. Poor little Jimmy is going to have a tough time in life after sports because the real world rarely provides a simple fix for unsatisfying situations in life.

What a great post!  Words of wisdom indeed.  The clamor for personal attention and zeal to win big at all costs in high school sports are just more examples of our crumbling selfish society, prevalent hypocrisy, and moral atrophy.  Me over we.  Personal pride above all else.  And you're right...when times get tough, the tough don't get going anymore...rather, they pick up and move to a new place that promises something "better".  The days of a group of players growing up together, working hard, and being proud of accomplishing great things such as a DISTRICT title are about as much of a fantasy as the "Leave It To Beaver" lifestyle.  It's all fueled by the unfulfilled athletic careers of administrators, coaches, parents, and fans who've had enough of getting beat and losing...so they're going to use Jimmy (or Jenny) to try to fulfill those glory days dreams.  I find the whole game off the field to be quite intriguing to see the lengths that people will go to in order to try to satisfy their egos.  I, too, though, have great appreciation for the few programs who still do things the old-fashioned way and still manage to retain enough of their talented players to field competitive teams.  It begs the question that should be asked of every high school program, coach, or admin prior to each season's beginning...why are we doing all of this?

Sadly, though, I think the snowball has already gained enough momentum going downhill that it ain't stopping.  If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  That seems to be the trend.