Student athletes commit countless hours to their school sports hours of practice, conditioning, games, travel, and sacrifice. They show up, they work hard, and they represent their school with pride. Yet far too many of these athletes never get the chance to actually play in the games they train for.

This petition calls for all school districts to implement a required minimum playing time for every athlete who is officially recruited, rostered, and eligible for participation.

Currently, many coaches have full discretion over who plays and who doesn’t, and this unchecked power results in favoritism, exclusion, and inequities that harm young people. When an athlete is not given even a few minutes of playtime, despite putting in the same hours as their teammates, it creates:

~Equity issues, where some students are systematically excluded

~Confidence and self-esteem damage, especially among teens

~Mental health concerns, including anxiety and discouragement

~Stunted player development, because game experience is necessary for growth

~Unjust financial burdens on families, who pay for transportation, gear, meals, fundraising, and sometimes travel

~A toxic team environment, where only a select few feel valued

This petition is not about guaranteeing equal playtime for all or undermining competitive standards. It is about basic fairness, youth development, and protecting the well-being of student athletes.

If an athlete is:

Academically eligible
Not medically restricted
Present at practices, games, and conditioning
Officially placed on a team roster… then they deserve some opportunity to participate during games.

Being allowed to play even for a short period matters. It validates their effort. It builds confidence. It supports inclusivity. And it ensures that school sports uphold their purpose: to help students grow, learn, and belong.

We are calling on school districts, athletic directors, and state athletic associations to adopt a Minimum Playtime Policy for all student athletes. This policy would guarantee a fair baseline of participation for every rostered athlete, while still giving coaches flexibility to manage competitive aspects of the game.

No student who dedicates their time, energy, and heart to a team should ever sit the entire season or even a single game without a chance to play.

Sign this petition to demand fairness, equity, and inclusion for all student athletes.

Together, we can create change that protects our students and strengthens our athletic programs.