Azael Meza-Herrera

The IHSA has a control problem. And once again, kids are paying the price for lack of common sense by an outdated state association and a soccer coaches association that is utterly useless. Let’s talk about Lake View High School in Chicago. The school had to forfeit its postseason soccer game against Chicago Academy, because kids participated in CLASA, an outside soccer league. Read that again: A kid wanted to play soccer in his free time. Not commit a crime, not cheat on a test, not hurt another student….but play soccer in his free time. What are we doing? Think about this: A kid can spend three hours playing pickup soccer at a park every single night with friends. No problem. But put referees on the field, organize teams and keep score, now the IHSA has a problem. It views this as revenue competition to its so-called “territory.” The punishment for a player playing soccer in their free time: An entire team loses its postseason opportunity. How unbelievably backwards is that? What are we doing? This is where the IHSA logo hides adults, because no one takes the blame for sacking innocent kids. We have school administrators, health professionals and community leaders spending enormous amounts of time, energy and money encouraging kids to exercise daily, stay active, improve their mental health and develop lifelong self-care habits. Then we have the IHSA punishing kids for doing exactly what we’re encouraging them to do. Here’s what I want people to understand: The IHSA does not own kids, their free time or the sport of soccer. The IHSA, which only exists because of kids, shouldn’t act as if participation in its revenue-generating tournaments gives it unlimited authority over a kid’s free time and life. How many kids ride the bench most of the high school season on many teams, because of ego-driven coaches who worry more about wins? So those kids - or any kids - can’t go play in an organize league in their free time, especially on a Sunday when school isn’t in session and most CLASA games are played? What are we doing? The IHSA is supposed to serve student athletes…not the other way around. Here’s the question nobody inside the IHSA seems interested in answering: Who exactly benefited from this punishment? Did it make kids healthier or make high school sports better? Or did it simply flex a private third-party business’ ability to micromanage a kid’s life, because it’s insecure about competition? Common sense matters. Stop confusing control with leadership. Soon - I’m telling you - there will be a second high school association in Illinois. And the IHSA will have no one to blame but itself. #MoreThanJUSTGames