The high school fall sports season begins in a little over two weeks, but all is not well in midstate interscholastic sports.

The economic downturn has hit local school districts hard, and sports have become the focus for budgetary cuts.

School districts throughout Central Pennsylvania are considering enacting 'pay to play' fees while West Perry School Board recently flirted with not paying its coaches (before relenting to public pressure).

Reader kveragas does not believe that 'pay to play' and volunteer coaches are enough and advocates removing sports from high schools entirely in an effort to place academics first.

kveragas' proposal is not without global precedent. Few countries throughout the world attach competitive sports to their secondary schools. Instead, teens compete for club teams or professionally.

Should the United States adopt this approach? kveragas believes so and writes:

Do you agree with kveragas? Should high school remove sports altogether? Would a club sport culture benefit the community and the athlete more than scholastic sports? Are sports just a hobby?

Share your thoughts and comments below.

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