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Mark Rerick, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, University of North Dakota

High school sports are losing athletes to private clubs, but schools can keep them by focusing on character development

High school sports programs tend to emphasize character development and good sportsmanship. AP Photo/Mel Evans

Not long ago, high school students who wanted to play football, basketball or another sport had few options other than trying out for their school team. And it was to high school gymnasiums and fields that recruiters flocked to find talent for colleges and even the pros.

That’s changed in recent decades as private clubs have emerged and soared in popularity across the country. Today, kids interested in pretty much any sport often have multiple clubs and leagues to choose from instead of playing on their high school’s varsity squads. Clubs have been especially good at attracting the most talented student-athletes due to their intense and competitive nature.

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