Youth Sports

In urban settings, many students arrive in high school behind the curve in knowledge and skills of the sport they play, due in part to a lack of access at younger ages. The funding debate over athletics vs. academics can be intense in cities, and both sides have valid arguments. Ideas in this report can help refresh the high school sports model for urban schools.

With creativity and commitment, large suburban schools have an opportunity to send healthy messages about sports to younger children. Then they can provide many pathways to physical activity, such as intramurals and sport-related clubs, offering as many teams in each interscholastic sport as there is demand for them, and innovative approaches to physical education. Some ideas in this report can help refresh the high school sports model.

New York has become the first state to legalize sports betting with a carve out for youth sports — 1% of tax revenue in the first year and $5 million annually after that. While the numbers may be modest, it’s a model that could be exported.

What innovations and/or disruptions to sports during Covid-19 will become permanent after the pandemic?

What if as a society we more intentionally found a way for White police officers to connect with Black and Latino youth and their families positively?

The Sports & Society Program is searching for high schools that provide students with exemplary sport experiences.