IHSA’s Right to Play & Two-Event Rule: Are Travel/Club Sports Changing High School Sports Forever?

High school sports are changing — and not slowly.
In this episode of THEVarsity Voices, we dive into the recently passed Illinois High School Association bylaw that allows student-athletes to participate in limited non-school events during their season. On the surface, the rule sounds flexible and athlete-friendly. But when viewed through the lens of football, recruiting, and the growing influence of club and travel sports, the implications run much deeper.
We discuss what this rule could mean for high school sports and Friday night football, team culture, and competitive balance — especially when exposure events, showcases, and recruiting opportunities begin to overlap with the high school season. We also explore the financial realities behind club sports, why these programs continue to grow, and whether they are complementing high school athletics or quietly competing with them.
This episode tackles the uncomfortable questions:
Do elite players now face pressure to protect themselves for exposure events?
Are club and travel teams reshaping the priorities of high school sports?
Is this a necessary evolution — or a slippery slope?

This is not about blaming athletes or families for chasing opportunity. It’s about understanding how incentives change behavior — and what we risk losing if team commitment and community take a back seat to individual exposure.
If you care about the future of high school football, this is a conversation worth hearing.
#highschoolfootball #ihsa #clubsports #FootballRecruiting #YouthSports #VarsityVoices #studentathletes #sportstalk #ihsafootball