A new approach to middle-school athletics

I recently shared this feedback with the District 97 school board. I would appreciate you contacting them if you agree:

I am writing to share feedback and a proposal for how we approach middle-school athletics in our district. Currently, our middle school fields only junior varsity and varsity teams in sports like basketball and volleyball. Because there are limited roster spots, students must try out, and many who genuinely want to participate — often dozens — are turned away.

I see this as a missed opportunity for our children.

We have roughly 50 students raising their hands and saying clearly: “We want to play.” They want to move their bodies, learn new skills, build friendships, become teammates, and grow — physically, socially, and emotionally. Instead of nurturing that enthusiasm, we currently exclude many students before they’ve had a fair chance to grow into athletes.

This approach sends an inadvertent message: only the top 10–15 students — typically those who have had access to club sports or private training before middle school — are considered “worthy” of school athletics. That isn’t just limiting; it’s inequitable.

Youth sports participation is linked with a host of positive outcomes. Research shows that involvement in school-based athletics contributes to improved physical health, better mental and emotional well-being, and stronger academic performance. Team sports participation has been associated with increased self-esteem, resilience, and social skills, in addition to fostering school connectedness.

We owe it to our students — especially those who are bravely stepping onto a gym floor knowing they might fail — to offer opportunities to grow, not barriers to participate. This isn’t a resource problem — it’s a program design choice. We have the facilities and the staff. What we need is the will to expand access. Here are practical, achievable ways we can change:

Add additional teams: Instead of just a JV and Varsity squad, we could field a sixth-grade team, a seventh-grade team, and even additional JV squads. With participation numbers like ours, we could have internal leagues that give every student meaningful competition and play time.

Rotate practice times: If gym space is limited, practice schedules can be staggered so that multiple teams use the space throughout the week.

Hire or designate more coaches: If coaching capacity is the issue, we can invest in our community. There are plenty of qualified parents, teachers, and assistants eager to help.

This is not a small thing. It is a commitment to inclusivity, equity, and student well-being. If 50 girls show up ready to work — prepared to learn, compete, and grow — we cannot simply send them home to sit around. We need to meet them where they are and support their development. We have the resources. What we need now is leadership and vision.

Let’s rethink our athletic programs so they reflect our values: opportunity, development, community, and care for every child. Our students deserve nothing less.

Rachel Lada is an Oak Park resident.

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