Paul, The times are a changing. I received an email for an invitation last week for my 3rd grade daughter to play on an AAU summer basketball team. I had no idea who the coach was, or there even was a team. The coach watched basketball games, and by her number contacted her coaches for my info. Since the invitation, I've had to research who the coach is and what this team is all about. If your child isn't playing travelling teams they are not going to play much on the high school teams unless your child is an elite athlete. I used to deliver to a director of a youth soccer club about 10 years ago. The director and his brother were both professional outdoor soccer players who played in England born in Ireland. He would tell me how only in the U.S. that high school sports are held in a higher regard than club teams. In Europe the HS was for fun with friends, but the real gem was doing well at the AAU level. I believe from watching friends kids play both boys and girls AAU that this is coming true now slowly in the US. I remember a couple years ago that the WIAA in Wisconsin moved the girls soccer state championships to the same weekend as the AAU championships. Many of the girls were having to make decisions on which league they wanted to play for. I don't know if that situation has been rectified. In my high school years 28 years ago we only had 1 player that did both golf and baseball. I mean, ya, it sucks to have to decide. Athletes in boys football and soccer have had to pick one or the other for the most part for as long as I can remember. Its not that is doesn't happen in other seasons also. Wrestling/Basketball. I firmly believe the school system could get rid of most athletics. In the Political forum you are really pro budget and not putting more money into the school systems. Think of all the money that can be saved by getting rid of athletics.