A good argument for a big intramural program in which as many kids as possible get to put on the pads and play.
Not so good an argument for a $60 million stadium where maybe one in twenty of the male students will ever be on the field.
Full disclosure: I played baseball and wrestled in high school, never touched a football except for sandlot games.
I think it’s interesting to find out differences between parts of country, cultures and generations on a particular subject. My kids didn’t have school sponsored sports until senior high. From grades 5-9 they played YMCA football. Our local fields could accommodate up to 10 games at same time, under lights with official scoreboards, paved parking lots, great food at concession areas, etc. Sponsor fees were $4,000 per team plus cost of jerseys and pants-a lot of money back then, plus all the kids paid to play. All the parents had team jerseys. Kids tried out and there were A and B teams within each grade school area. Lot of the boys went to football camps in the summer in other states. It was all about winning. Great coaches, conditioning, lots of newsprint. It was a big deal.
I do not believe that everyone should have a trophy and if you don’t keep score, why bother.
I also don’t have a problem with a $60 million dollar stadium providing it isn’t paid for with tax dollars and it doesn’t matter whether it’s for students or pros. If somebody wants it, they can pay for it. What irks me the most is flying into a city and having to pay for their sports complex by having an extra charge on my hotel or car rental bill.
There are lots of things that kids can try and if parents have a mind to, they can find something for their child to do where their child will be able to excel.