Tonight is the College Football National Championship game with Clemson playing LSU and as I’m watching the game and in particular, Dabo Swinney, I’m reminded of a story that didn’t get a ton of traction when it came out but that really stuck in my mind. In October of 2017, Clemson was ranked number two in the country and undefeated when it lost a game to unranked Syracuse, 27-24. On the surface, you could say it was tough loss and in most cases, coaches and players might try and offer up some type of “reason” why they didn’t win the game versus a team they were supposed to beat. But not this team, not a Dabo Swinney coached team. What happened almost immediately after that game and in the period after the game, is something important for us to reflect on as we look at our roles as coaches and leaders.

PAY TO PLAY CHANGES: The cost to play sports in America continues to increase. Every year, it’s more expensive for kids to simply play sports. Club fees, equipment, travel, coaching, etc….all cost more year over year. Additionally, youth sports are now year round, increasing the cost even further. Income is one of, if not the biggest, determinants in whether or not youth play sports. Youth from wealthier families play more, simple as that. The reason is because of the pay to play model and the business that youth sports has become. We need to start thinking of alternatives to this system so that youth sports is more accessible and available for all youth.