IHSAA

Does making it to the professional ranks in sports provide a “ticket out” for athletes? The reality is, probably not. At least not the way people think it does. Culturally, there is a narrative that—for financially stressed families—pursuing a career in pro sports at all costs is the only ticket to a better life and fiscal security. Even if we ignore the statistical improbabilities of becoming a pro athlete, a look at recent financial data in some major pro sports shows how misleading that narrative actually is. Some facts: • The average career length in the NFL is 3.3 years. In the NBA, it’s 4.5 • The average age of NFL players upon “retirement” is 27.6. For NBA: 28 • 78% of NFL players go bankrupt or experience financial stress within 3 years of “retirement”. 60% of NBA players go bankrupt within 5 years Statistically speaking, just because someone makes it pro doesn’t guarantee the financial security many envision. But here’s the good news: While becoming a pro athlete might not be the golden ticket out many believe it to be, high school sports may still provide the answer. Just maybe not in the way they’re looking for it. Rather than millions of dollars, the “ticket” to a better life is the profound and transferrable life lessons learned through education-based athletics. Regardless of what athletes do after their playing days are over, lessons in teamwork, perseverance, grit, and determination are applicable to any job in any industry. Moreover, the relationships that are developed with education-based mentors, coaches, and teammates help support and guide student-athletes as they grow through any situation. The type of foundation that those life lessons and meaningful relationships build are what truly change the trajectory of student-athletes’ lives. Not a long shot chance at a big pay day. #ThisIsYourIHSAA #EducationBasedAthletics #HighSchoolSports

Incredible Man with a legacy of making us all better human beings!

What two words have seemingly changed school sports forever? “Transfer portal” Currently, there are over 2,000 men’s division 1 basketball players in the transfer portal (roughly 35% of players), and almost 4,000 FBS football players (over 20% of players) are looking to change schools. While the differences between elite collegiate athletics and high school sports have never been larger, the changing landscape of college sports is having a very real impact on discussions surrounding education-based athletics—namely regarding transfers. In this era of school choice, there are legitimate reasons why it may make sense for students or families to transfer high schools. There might be resources or programs at a different school that are better suited for a student’s particular learning needs. And sometimes that’s not clear until after freshman enrollment. So having the ability to put a student in the best environment is essential. But that ability—and just as importantly, that decision—to change an adolescent student’s school environment must always be driven by an educational emphasis rather than athletic. Athletics MUST stay education-based at the high school level. Student-athletes should never transfer high schools for athletically motivated reasons. That is why the IHSAA—on behalf of our member school communities—must never allow an open transfer system to become implemented! If families are transferring their sons or daughters to different schools in search of more playing time or in hopes of a roster spot on the varsity team, what are we doing? How does that serve a student’s short or long-term academic success? Keep in mind, only about 2% of high school student-athletes nationwide receive some form of scholarship to play in college. And of those, less than 1% go on to play professionally. At the IHSAA office, we often refer to high school sports as “the second classroom.” That’s because the education and life lessons learned on the playing field or court are meant to support and enhance the academic education received at school… …not replace it. #ThisIsYourIHSAA #EducationBasedAthletics #HighSchoolSports

Athletics based on education is essential for the growth of our young people!

Our team of athletic trainers, Kim Latham, Mark Rund, Dave Walston, Nate Hills, Mo Barkley, Sara Myers, Jess Branz, Nancy LaFon, Jillian Hacker and Dr. Alex Waldherr from Franciscan are ready to take care of athletes at the IHSAA 86th annual wrestling state finals. Good luck to all those competing to win the state title! 🤼♂️ #SportsMedicine #Orthopedics

Thrilled to attend the IHSAA Wrestling State Championship over the weekend! This is the first time Evansville has hosted a state finals event in any sport!