As parents, educators, and community members, we believe middle school athletics should prioritize participation, development, and equity — not early exclusion. Across our district’s middle schools, hundreds of students show up each season eager to play sports like basketball and volleyball. These students aren’t asking for guarantees or trophies. They are asking for the opportunity to move their bodies, learn new skills, be part of a team, and grow. Yet our current athletic model allows only a small number of roster spots, resulting in nearly 75% of students being cut before they’ve had a real chance to develop. This system disproportionately favors students who had access to club or travel sports at a very young age, while excluding others who may be just as motivated but less experienced. Middle school is not where athletes are finished — it’s where they are formed. Research consistently shows that participation in school sports at this age supports:

• Physical and mental health
• Academic engagement
• Confidence and resilience
• Leadership and teamwork skills
• Stronger long-term athletic pipelines

When we turn students away before they’ve had time to develop, we send an unintended message: that opportunity is limited to a few, rather than something we grow together. This is not about eliminating competition or lowering standards. Competitive teams absolutely have a place. But at the middle school level, development and inclusion should come first — especially when student interest clearly exceeds capacity.

 
What We Are Asking For: We call on the school district and school board to:

• Review participation data across all middle school sports, including tryout numbers and students cut from teams.
• Adopt inclusive athletic models when demand exceeds roster limits — such as:
  • Additional Junior Varsity teams
  • Grade-level teams (6th, 7th, 8th grade)
  • Developmental or instructional teams alongside competitive squads
• Commit appropriate resources, including coaching stipends, to support expanded participation. 
• Ensure equity of access so athletic opportunities are not determined by early access to private or club sports.



Why This Matters:
When 50 students show up willing to tryout — knowing they might fail — that is courage. That is motivation. That is exactly the kind of behavior our schools should be encouraging. We have the facilities. We have the community. What we need now is the will to design programs that reflect our values. Our children are asking for the chance to grow. Let’s meet them there.