Trost

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Empowering Kids. Showing GOOD. From National Sports Journalist To Comms Leader W/ Experience Across World’s Most Recognized Brands. Student-athlete advocate.

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This is pure recklessness and unacceptable. And it happened because some adult idiots “wanted to get the meet in.” Seriously, watch these videos closely. Kids sliding into poles, losing their footing and about to be trampled. How about the golf cart nearly taking out a kid, who had no idea what was about to hit her until the last second? Who looked at these conditions and decided this was acceptable for high school kids? We have more advanced weather data than ever before in the history of world, and there were adult school leaders who put kids out there “because we wanted to get the meet in.” There is no meet, game or championship trophy important enough to put kids in conditions that are or will become unsafe. And enough with, “We used to play or run through this.” We know more today about heat, weather, field conditions and student-athlete safety than we did 20 or 30 years ago. Knowing better means doing better. Athletic directors and coaches have one responsibility that comes before competition: Protect the health and safety of all kids and all fans. If conditions become unsafe, you stop. It’s that simple. That isn’t being soft, that’s called doing your damn job and being an adult school leader. Because the time to show leadership is before a kid gets seriously hurt, not afterward when everyone is asking why common sense didn’t prevail. #MoreThanJUSTGames

This is pure recklessness and unacceptable. And it happened because some adult idiots “wanted to get the meet in.” Seriously, watch these videos closely. Kids sliding into poles, losing their footing and about to be trampled. How about the golf cart nearly taking out a kid, who had no idea what was about to hit her until the last second? Who looked at these conditions and decided this was acceptable for high school kids? We have more advanced weather data than ever before in the history of world, and there were adult school leaders who put kids out there “because we wanted to get the meet in.” There is no meet, game or championship trophy important enough to put kids in conditions that are or will become unsafe. And enough with, “We used to play or run through this.” We know more today about heat, weather, field conditions and student-athlete safety than we did 20 or 30 years ago. Knowing better means doing better. Athletic directors and coaches have one responsibility that comes before competition: Protect the health and safety of all kids and all fans. If conditions become unsafe, you stop. It’s that simple. That isn’t being soft, that’s called doing your damn job and being an adult school leader. Because the time to show leadership is before a kid gets seriously hurt, not afterward when everyone is asking why common sense didn’t prevail. #MoreThanJUSTGames

232,792 views

Each and every day on social media, private schools are marketing to kids and families. Public schools don’t think they need to do this, and then they whine that private schools are recruiting. You can’t have it both ways. Private schools are outworking public schools - overall - off the courts and fields nonstop. We’re a quarter of the way through the ever-changing 21st century, and private schools are already in second gear while public schools are stuck in neutral. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

Each and every day on social media, private schools are marketing to kids and families. Public schools don’t think they need to do this, and then they whine that private schools are recruiting. You can’t have it both ways. Private schools are outworking public schools - overall - off the courts and fields nonstop. We’re a quarter of the way through the ever-changing 21st century, and private schools are already in second gear while public schools are stuck in neutral. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

189,661 views

In the spotlight: Israel Abrams (Montini, QB, Israel Abrams 5⭐️), Brayden Parks (Brother Rice, DL, Brayden Parks 4⭐️DT), Mason Halliman (Lincoln-Way East, OT, Mason halliman), David Folorunsho (St. Patrick, DL, David Folorunsho ‘27 🇳🇬) and David Hill (H-F, DL, David Hill). The five high school football stars in the Class of 2027 from Illinois sat down with Chris Boden and Josh Frydman on GNSportsTV, which airs nightly on #WGN. The top prospects talked about a number of different topics ranging from their feelings about player rankings and the private/public school debate to playing multiple sports in high school, the #IHSA playoff expansion and more. Make sure to visit and download the WGN News app to see different features and high school sports coverage from Chicago’s Very Own in 2026. #MoreThanJUSTGames #NCAA

In the spotlight: Israel Abrams (Montini, QB, Israel Abrams 5⭐️), Brayden Parks (Brother Rice, DL, Brayden Parks 4⭐️DT), Mason Halliman (Lincoln-Way East, OT, Mason halliman), David Folorunsho (St. Patrick, DL, David Folorunsho ‘27 🇳🇬) and David Hill (H-F, DL, David Hill). The five high school football stars in the Class of 2027 from Illinois sat down with Chris Boden and Josh Frydman on GNSportsTV, which airs nightly on #WGN. The top prospects talked about a number of different topics ranging from their feelings about player rankings and the private/public school debate to playing multiple sports in high school, the #IHSA playoff expansion and more. Make sure to visit and download the WGN News app to see different features and high school sports coverage from Chicago’s Very Own in 2026. #MoreThanJUSTGames #NCAA

18,756 views

Let me ask you an honest question: Who’s your daddy? If you’re a high school student athlete in Illinois, the answer is easy when it comes to one’s “Right to Play.” It’s not your Mom or Dad. It’s a private third-party vendor called the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). If you play a high school sport, the IHSA controls you even when your school day is over and even more when school isn’t even in session. It’s long been an overreach of control from a small group of narrow-minded ego-driven adults literally dictating what student athletes and families can do in their free time. But much-needed and welcome change is getting closer for all student athletes and their families, as more and more student athletes and parents come forward from present and past to speak up and talk about the disadvantages the IHSA - and those who benefit from it - have and are causing. The first victory earlier this week was by slaughter rule, a 12-0 thumping over the IHSA in committee vote. Now it moves to the big leagues. You can read more here: I encourage you to engage and educate yourself in a topic that 75 percent of high school student athletes across the U.S. can do, but it’s something high school student athletes in Illinois can’t do. Over the next 30 days, you are going to see more stories and hear directly from student athletes, families, leading athletic trainers and doctors, school leaders from Illinois and other states on local and national media outlets talking about this overreach and how the IHSA continues to put student athletes at a disadvantage. So I ask you again: Since when does a private third-party vendor get to control what student athletes and their families do, especially during their free time? Think about that. As you’ll see once again, it’s another classic case of cherry-picking to benefit one’s self by an organization that has now lost three consecutive court cases due to its unlawful dictating overreach. As always, I’ll layout both sides and show you how this has and continues to work easily and well for high school student athletes and schools across the U.S. - except in Illinois. They’ll say “health & safety.” They’ll say “scheduling & other logistics.” I’ll show you how those stocked talking points aren’t even tired, “they’re outdated” as one athletic trainer and other athletic director said to me today. Change for adults who control is always hard. It’s time to do what is right and long overdue for high school student athletes and families in Illinois. You’ll see why loud and clear beginning this week. **This is the first in a daily series.**

Let me ask you an honest question: Who’s your daddy? If you’re a high school student athlete in Illinois, the answer is easy when it comes to one’s “Right to Play.” It’s not your Mom or Dad. It’s a private third-party vendor called the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). If you play a high school sport, the IHSA controls you even when your school day is over and even more when school isn’t even in session. It’s long been an overreach of control from a small group of narrow-minded ego-driven adults literally dictating what student athletes and families can do in their free time. But much-needed and welcome change is getting closer for all student athletes and their families, as more and more student athletes and parents come forward from present and past to speak up and talk about the disadvantages the IHSA - and those who benefit from it - have and are causing. The first victory earlier this week was by slaughter rule, a 12-0 thumping over the IHSA in committee vote. Now it moves to the big leagues. You can read more here: I encourage you to engage and educate yourself in a topic that 75 percent of high school student athletes across the U.S. can do, but it’s something high school student athletes in Illinois can’t do. Over the next 30 days, you are going to see more stories and hear directly from student athletes, families, leading athletic trainers and doctors, school leaders from Illinois and other states on local and national media outlets talking about this overreach and how the IHSA continues to put student athletes at a disadvantage. So I ask you again: Since when does a private third-party vendor get to control what student athletes and their families do, especially during their free time? Think about that. As you’ll see once again, it’s another classic case of cherry-picking to benefit one’s self by an organization that has now lost three consecutive court cases due to its unlawful dictating overreach. As always, I’ll layout both sides and show you how this has and continues to work easily and well for high school student athletes and schools across the U.S. - except in Illinois. They’ll say “health & safety.” They’ll say “scheduling & other logistics.” I’ll show you how those stocked talking points aren’t even tired, “they’re outdated” as one athletic trainer and other athletic director said to me today. Change for adults who control is always hard. It’s time to do what is right and long overdue for high school student athletes and families in Illinois. You’ll see why loud and clear beginning this week. This is the first in a daily series.

11,116 views

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Must-see video: This angle tells more of the story from the on-the-field brawl that broke out in a high school football game Friday night in Georgia. Today, the Georgia High School Association suspended 39 members of the Gainesville football team for “violating sportsmanship and sideline control bylaws, including players leaving the bench area during the incident.” Gainesville Supt. Jeremy Williams said the school will be appealing the decision on Tuesday. “While we typically do not condone this type of behavior, we will not sit back and watch our teammates be assaulted by ripping off helmets, punching, and barreling over a helmet-less player,” Williams said. “The large majority of our team entered the field with the intent to separate and resolve the incident, not escalate. “Every true team would do the same. It’s disappointing that a hard-line interpretation of the rule was applied, and we will be appealing.” When you see the angle of this video, it’s hard to disagree with Supt. Williams. This is not a situation any adult school leader wants to be associated with, but we all know any team - any level - would’ve helped their teammates out. Any parent, any friend, any leader would’ve done the same if their family member, friend or employee was attacked. There needs to be some common sense here, because rules are made as guidelines - not as hard strict laws in the #GameOfLife. If they were, we wouldn’t have people who have been arrested 10, 15, 20or 30 times walking the streets in some cities committing even more crimes. *Thank you to the contact for passing this video along. #MoreThanJUSTGames

Must-see video: This angle tells more of the story from the on-the-field brawl that broke out in a high school football game Friday night in Georgia. Today, the Georgia High School Association suspended 39 members of the Gainesville football team for “violating sportsmanship and sideline control bylaws, including players leaving the bench area during the incident.” Gainesville Supt. Jeremy Williams said the school will be appealing the decision on Tuesday. “While we typically do not condone this type of behavior, we will not sit back and watch our teammates be assaulted by ripping off helmets, punching, and barreling over a helmet-less player,” Williams said. “The large majority of our team entered the field with the intent to separate and resolve the incident, not escalate. “Every true team would do the same. It’s disappointing that a hard-line interpretation of the rule was applied, and we will be appealing.” When you see the angle of this video, it’s hard to disagree with Supt. Williams. This is not a situation any adult school leader wants to be associated with, but we all know any team - any level - would’ve helped their teammates out. Any parent, any friend, any leader would’ve done the same if their family member, friend or employee was attacked. There needs to be some common sense here, because rules are made as guidelines - not as hard strict laws in the #GameOfLife. If they were, we wouldn’t have people who have been arrested 10, 15, 20or 30 times walking the streets in some cities committing even more crimes. *Thank you to the contact for passing this video along. #MoreThanJUSTGames

1,922,303 views • 11 months ago

A high school playoff football game in Georgia on Friday night was called in the third quarter. With Gainesville leading Brunswick 42-0, all hell broke loose. #MoreThanJUSTGames

A high school playoff football game in Georgia on Friday night was called in the third quarter. With Gainesville leading Brunswick 42-0, all hell broke loose. #MoreThanJUSTGames

1,740,824 views • 11 months ago

Kids AND Parents: Please do me a favor… Click the video and watch the players, the emotion. Click the video and listen to the announcers. Read the shared Tweet/X post from the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the most iconic professional franchises in the world. You don’t have to specialize in one sport. You don’t have to skip high school. You don’t have to play for this club or that club or else. Kids AND Parents: This goes for ALL sports. Mason was a first-round NHL draft pick this past June. If this doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what I or anyone else can do to make you realize this is about YOUR life, YOUR lifelong memories - not another adult’s decision for YOUR future. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

Kids AND Parents: Please do me a favor… Click the video and watch the players, the emotion. Click the video and listen to the announcers. Read the shared Tweet/X post from the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the most iconic professional franchises in the world. You don’t have to specialize in one sport. You don’t have to skip high school. You don’t have to play for this club or that club or else. Kids AND Parents: This goes for ALL sports. Mason was a first-round NHL draft pick this past June. If this doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what I or anyone else can do to make you realize this is about YOUR life, YOUR lifelong memories - not another adult’s decision for YOUR future. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

1,201,105 views • 11 months ago

Can someone please take a look at what Rob Zvonar and staff built at Lincoln-Way East. Put down your private vs public schools swords and look at this public school program. Think about the private competition in its backyard: Providence, Marian Catholic, Brother Rice, Marist, St. Laurence, St. Rita and Mount Carmel. All working to attract kids and families to their campuses. Remember, Zvonar and staff took over a new school in 2001 and then watched the district expand to four schools a few years later to slice the talent pool even more. Think about that. And then think about how kids from that district had transferred to other public schools in the past (Zak Kustok and others). Despite all those challenges, Zvonar and his staff built Lincoln-Way East into a destination. How? By building a brand, not just coaching football. They built a brand. Rob Glielmi will always be known for turning around football at Lincoln-Way, but what Z and his staff did even more was invest in human relationships. Youth football programs. Summer camps. Clinics. Open houses. Youth nights. Community engagement. They connected with kids and families years before those kids ever stepped onto a high school football field. They didn’t just develop football players. They developed a program, a culture, a reputation and a sense of belonging. That’s called building a brand. And far too many high school coaches don't understand it. Look at Batavia. Generations of kids have grown up dreaming about playing under those Friday night lights. Why? Because the program created something bigger than football. Community pride. Tradition. Relationships. An experience kids want to be part of and that’s where many private schools dominate public schools before a child ever selects a school. Here’s what some coaches and school administrators need to understand: You’re owed nothing. A family’s zip code doesn’t automatically earn you its loyalty. Kids and families want great educational opportunities, great experiences, great coaching and opportunities beyond high school. And they’re going to make decisions based on what’s best for them. Instead of complaining when a family chooses another school, ask yourself a better question: What is that school doing to attract kids and families that we’re not? Stop blaming private schools. Stop making excuses. Start building something kids and families want to be part of. Kids need more experiences, not more games. They play 8 million these days. Great programs don’t just play and win games, they build brands to win the trust of families and communities. I keep telling you…it’s #MoreThanJUSTGames.

16,725 views • 6 days ago

Look around the U.S. at how high school soccer is structured in states to help and protect kids. In Florida, high school games are only played during the week so student athletes can still compete in exposure club tournaments on the weekend if they choose to. In Texas, schools are limited to 2 games per week: One game Monday-Thursday and one Friday or Saturday. No back-to-backs are allowed. In Nebraska, the final week of the postseason schedule is: Monday → Friday → Monday. That’s what prioritizing student athlete health and safety actually looks like. Then there’s Illinois and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Until it was forced by a student athlete-led Illinois House Bill in spring of 2025, the IHSA owned and blocked student athletes from any outside event during the season. The IHSA has no health and safety limitation on the number of games that may be played in a week. The IHSA had schools playing FOUR of its final tournament games in FIVE days — including the possibility of 3 final games in 24 hours. Don’t believe me: Tuesday → Friday → Saturday (two). Now, it’s only one game on Saturday: Tuesday → Friday → Saturday…a mere 3 games in 120 hours. So let’s recap: Florida protects weekends to help kids have options. Texas limits games and bans back-to-backs to protect vs overscheduling. Nebraska spaces out same-site postseason matches over 8 days at the end of the season. As I pointed out on Cubs Opening Day on FOX in March 2025, when it comes to helping high school soccer players and “health and safety” with the IHSA…don’t let the truth get in the way of the facts. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

Look around the U.S. at how high school soccer is structured in states to help and protect kids. In Florida, high school games are only played during the week so student athletes can still compete in exposure club tournaments on the weekend if they choose to. In Texas, schools are limited to 2 games per week: One game Monday-Thursday and one Friday or Saturday. No back-to-backs are allowed. In Nebraska, the final week of the postseason schedule is: Monday → Friday → Monday. That’s what prioritizing student athlete health and safety actually looks like. Then there’s Illinois and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Until it was forced by a student athlete-led Illinois House Bill in spring of 2025, the IHSA owned and blocked student athletes from any outside event during the season. The IHSA has no health and safety limitation on the number of games that may be played in a week. The IHSA had schools playing FOUR of its final tournament games in FIVE days — including the possibility of 3 final games in 24 hours. Don’t believe me: Tuesday → Friday → Saturday (two). Now, it’s only one game on Saturday: Tuesday → Friday → Saturday…a mere 3 games in 120 hours. So let’s recap: Florida protects weekends to help kids have options. Texas limits games and bans back-to-backs to protect vs overscheduling. Nebraska spaces out same-site postseason matches over 8 days at the end of the season. As I pointed out on Cubs Opening Day on FOX in March 2025, when it comes to helping high school soccer players and “health and safety” with the IHSA…don’t let the truth get in the way of the facts. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

52,946 views • 5 months ago

🚨BREAKING from #NBC: Illinois lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at protecting equity for female student athletes after the IHSA shortened the girls flag football season, while expanding opportunities for boys tackle football. “As teen girls, we are already put down so much in the world. To have the support from lawmakers to support us as athletes and as women is very important,” Oak Park junior running back Kai’le Robinson said. The proposed legislation would require any statewide athletic association governing public schools to conduct a public Gender Equity Impact Review before implementing policies that: • Reduce opportunities for girls without equivalent reductions for boys. • Create significant season-length disparities between comparable boys and girls sports. • Fail to provide comparable athletic opportunities for both sexes. The review would be made public, include a minimum 30-day public comment period and be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education for its independent review. This is much bigger than girls flag football. It’s about transparency, accountability and ensuring every high school student athlete in Illinois is given a fair opportunity to compete. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

🚨BREAKING from #NBC: Illinois lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at protecting equity for female student athletes after the IHSA shortened the girls flag football season, while expanding opportunities for boys tackle football. “As teen girls, we are already put down so much in the world. To have the support from lawmakers to support us as athletes and as women is very important,” Oak Park junior running back Kai’le Robinson said. The proposed legislation would require any statewide athletic association governing public schools to conduct a public Gender Equity Impact Review before implementing policies that: • Reduce opportunities for girls without equivalent reductions for boys. • Create significant season-length disparities between comparable boys and girls sports. • Fail to provide comparable athletic opportunities for both sexes. The review would be made public, include a minimum 30-day public comment period and be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education for its independent review. This is much bigger than girls flag football. It’s about transparency, accountability and ensuring every high school student athlete in Illinois is given a fair opportunity to compete. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

30,343 views • 4 months ago

Tonight - and over the coming weeks - people across the nation will continue to talk about Pat Coogan’s Pat Coogan impactful play on the field for Indiana Football this season. The 6-5, 311-pound offensive lineman opened eyes again on Thursday night, as the senior transfer from #NotreDame was named offensive MVP of the 2026 #RoseBowl. While Coogan continues to make a difference on the field, he’s also been doing just that off the field for years as a student athlete. For example back in Feb. 2020, the former Marist HS Chicago High School standout from Palos Heights played a big part in surprising 100 elementary students in Cicero with new scooters a part of the Making A Difference On AND Off The Field campaign. As Coogan noted then: There’s nothing better than helping create a smile for a child in the #GameOfLife. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA #NCAA

Tonight - and over the coming weeks - people across the nation will continue to talk about Pat Coogan’s Pat Coogan impactful play on the field for Indiana Football this season. The 6-5, 311-pound offensive lineman opened eyes again on Thursday night, as the senior transfer from #NotreDame was named offensive MVP of the 2026 #RoseBowl. While Coogan continues to make a difference on the field, he’s also been doing just that off the field for years as a student athlete. For example back in Feb. 2020, the former Marist HS Chicago High School standout from Palos Heights played a big part in surprising 100 elementary students in Cicero with new scooters a part of the Making A Difference On AND Off The Field campaign. As Coogan noted then: There’s nothing better than helping create a smile for a child in the #GameOfLife. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA #NCAA

54,432 views • 10 months ago

Think about a judge in a courtroom listening and looking at this: The IHSA found a way to expand opportunities for boys tackle football. It also found a way to shorten opportunities for girls flag football. The IHSA didn’t do this in separate years. It made the move at the same time, same season. At a time - when as a society - we’re trying to grow participation, create opportunities and keep more girls involved in sports - especially in school-based sports - the IHSA is reducing opportunities for girls and providing more to boys. Every kid matters. Every sport matters. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

Think about a judge in a courtroom listening and looking at this: The IHSA found a way to expand opportunities for boys tackle football. It also found a way to shorten opportunities for girls flag football. The IHSA didn’t do this in separate years. It made the move at the same time, same season. At a time - when as a society - we’re trying to grow participation, create opportunities and keep more girls involved in sports - especially in school-based sports - the IHSA is reducing opportunities for girls and providing more to boys. Every kid matters. Every sport matters. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

17,630 views • 4 months ago

During #WGN’s LIVE segment from St. Laurence on Friday, Ana Belaval noted about the incredible building enhancements made and the future ones coming - including a state-of-the-art field house - for the rising Chicago Catholic League power. As I noted recently, I don’t know if there is another school in Illinois that has enhanced its brand more than what St. Laurence has over the last decade: You feel the energy from the student body, you see it at events, you sense it from the staff, you hear it from alumni and the results combined together are just undeniable. Did you see their incoming eighth grade testing numbers? You’re telling me anyone in 2015 would’ve thought St. Laurence would beat Marist or a combined number from Mother McAuley and Brother Rice? The Vikings won three #IHSA state trophies. You’re honestly going to tell me in 2015 that anyone would’ve thought St. Laurence would win three in a single calendar year, including appearing in two state-title games? Just ask competing student athletes or families from Loyola Academy or Saint Ignatius what they’ve thought of St. Laurence’s facilities when they’ve walked into one of the most modern wings of a high school I’ve ever been in. Schools are the most important organization in any community, and kids provide the energy. St. Laurence is a brand kids and families want right now, and every single adult leader tied with this turnaround deserves a standing ovation. #MoreThanJUSTGames

32,016 views • 10 months ago

#NBC coverage: From student athletes and parents to coaches and school leaders, there is frustration over the fact the IHSA is cutting the length of the girls flag football regular season this fall while expanding the boys football season at the same time. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

#NBC coverage: From student athletes and parents to coaches and school leaders, there is frustration over the fact the IHSA is cutting the length of the girls flag football regular season this fall while expanding the boys football season at the same time. #MoreThanJUSTGames #IHSA

16,658 views • 4 months ago

Here’s my prayer for all those working for the #IHSA under assistant executive director Beth Sauser’s leadership this weekend in Hoffman Estates: Use common sense. This is not about you, it’s about the kids. What do I mean: Everyone wants to stay on time with the schedule, and yes, we all know the schedule is tight. But remember come Championship Saturday: Take a breath and let the kids enjoy the moment with their family and fans. This video is from Nov. 2022, a prime example of just giving a minute of authentic interaction between players and fans. Since I can remember - and every media person throughout Illinois will agree - the IHSA always acts like they’re always on a quick time schedule. They “must” get the official team photo “right after the game.” Actually, you don’t have to. There are multiple different ways to get it and do things. Nearly every winning state title team has a story about the IHSA interrupting the celebration, and what does that cause: Emotion. When you connect emotion to memories, you receive one of two things for the IHSA brand: Positive or negative lifelong memories. A little common sense would allow for a nicer and more memorable moment for student athletes, their families and fans. Lord knows the IHSA brand needs all the help it can get these days. It has banned enough kids, families, schools and communities this fall, let’s try not to ban controlled celebrations next.

60,643 views • 3 years ago

In the spotlight: Israel Abrams (Montini, QB, Israel Abrams 5⭐️), Brayden Parks (Brother Rice, DL, Brayden Parks 4⭐️DT), Mason Halliman (Lincoln-Way East, OT, Mason halliman), David Folorunsho (St. Patrick, DL, David Folorunsho ‘27 🇳🇬) and David Hill (H-F, DL, David Hill). The five high school football stars in the Class of 2027 from Illinois sat down with Chris Boden and Josh Frydman on GNSportsTV, which airs nightly on #WGN. The top prospects talked about a number of different topics ranging from their feelings about player rankings and the private/public school debate to playing multiple sports in high school, the #IHSA playoff expansion and more. Make sure to visit and download the WGN News app to see different features and high school sports coverage from Chicago’s Very Own in 2026. #MoreThanJUSTGames #NCAA

In the spotlight: Israel Abrams (Montini, QB, Israel Abrams 5⭐️), Brayden Parks (Brother Rice, DL, Brayden Parks 4⭐️DT), Mason Halliman (Lincoln-Way East, OT, Mason halliman), David Folorunsho (St. Patrick, DL, David Folorunsho ‘27 🇳🇬) and David Hill (H-F, DL, David Hill). The five high school football stars in the Class of 2027 from Illinois sat down with Chris Boden and Josh Frydman on GNSportsTV, which airs nightly on #WGN. The top prospects talked about a number of different topics ranging from their feelings about player rankings and the private/public school debate to playing multiple sports in high school, the #IHSA playoff expansion and more. Make sure to visit and download the WGN News app to see different features and high school sports coverage from Chicago’s Very Own in 2026. #MoreThanJUSTGames #NCAA

18,756 views • 10 months ago

There is #TrendingNews ahead of the St. Laurence/East St. Louis #IHSA 6A semifinal showdown at 1 pm Saturday in Burbank. As WGN Morning News reported this morning, all fans in attendance have a chance to make a difference and create countless smiles for children this holiday season. #MoreThanJUSTGames #PowerOfSport #MakingADifferenceOnANDOffTheField

There is #TrendingNews ahead of the St. Laurence/East St. Louis #IHSA 6A semifinal showdown at 1 pm Saturday in Burbank. As WGN Morning News reported this morning, all fans in attendance have a chance to make a difference and create countless smiles for children this holiday season. #MoreThanJUSTGames #PowerOfSport #MakingADifferenceOnANDOffTheField

10,043 views • 11 months ago

Let me ask you an honest question: Who’s your daddy? If you’re a high school student athlete in Illinois, the answer is easy when it comes to one’s “Right to Play.” It’s not your Mom or Dad. It’s a private third-party vendor called the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). If you play a high school sport, the IHSA controls you even when your school day is over and even more when school isn’t even in session. It’s long been an overreach of control from a small group of narrow-minded ego-driven adults literally dictating what student athletes and families can do in their free time. But much-needed and welcome change is getting closer for all student athletes and their families, as more and more student athletes and parents come forward from present and past to speak up and talk about the disadvantages the IHSA - and those who benefit from it - have and are causing. The first victory earlier this week was by slaughter rule, a 12-0 thumping over the IHSA in committee vote. Now it moves to the big leagues. You can read more here: I encourage you to engage and educate yourself in a topic that 75 percent of high school student athletes across the U.S. can do, but it’s something high school student athletes in Illinois can’t do. Over the next 30 days, you are going to see more stories and hear directly from student athletes, families, leading athletic trainers and doctors, school leaders from Illinois and other states on local and national media outlets talking about this overreach and how the IHSA continues to put student athletes at a disadvantage. So I ask you again: Since when does a private third-party vendor get to control what student athletes and their families do, especially during their free time? Think about that. As you’ll see once again, it’s another classic case of cherry-picking to benefit one’s self by an organization that has now lost three consecutive court cases due to its unlawful dictating overreach. As always, I’ll layout both sides and show you how this has and continues to work easily and well for high school student athletes and schools across the U.S. - except in Illinois. They’ll say “health & safety.” They’ll say “scheduling & other logistics.” I’ll show you how those stocked talking points aren’t even tired, “they’re outdated” as one athletic trainer and other athletic director said to me today. Change for adults who control is always hard. It’s time to do what is right and long overdue for high school student athletes and families in Illinois. You’ll see why loud and clear beginning this week. **This is the first in a daily series.**

Let me ask you an honest question: Who’s your daddy? If you’re a high school student athlete in Illinois, the answer is easy when it comes to one’s “Right to Play.” It’s not your Mom or Dad. It’s a private third-party vendor called the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). If you play a high school sport, the IHSA controls you even when your school day is over and even more when school isn’t even in session. It’s long been an overreach of control from a small group of narrow-minded ego-driven adults literally dictating what student athletes and families can do in their free time. But much-needed and welcome change is getting closer for all student athletes and their families, as more and more student athletes and parents come forward from present and past to speak up and talk about the disadvantages the IHSA - and those who benefit from it - have and are causing. The first victory earlier this week was by slaughter rule, a 12-0 thumping over the IHSA in committee vote. Now it moves to the big leagues. You can read more here: I encourage you to engage and educate yourself in a topic that 75 percent of high school student athletes across the U.S. can do, but it’s something high school student athletes in Illinois can’t do. Over the next 30 days, you are going to see more stories and hear directly from student athletes, families, leading athletic trainers and doctors, school leaders from Illinois and other states on local and national media outlets talking about this overreach and how the IHSA continues to put student athletes at a disadvantage. So I ask you again: Since when does a private third-party vendor get to control what student athletes and their families do, especially during their free time? Think about that. As you’ll see once again, it’s another classic case of cherry-picking to benefit one’s self by an organization that has now lost three consecutive court cases due to its unlawful dictating overreach. As always, I’ll layout both sides and show you how this has and continues to work easily and well for high school student athletes and schools across the U.S. - except in Illinois. They’ll say “health & safety.” They’ll say “scheduling & other logistics.” I’ll show you how those stocked talking points aren’t even tired, “they’re outdated” as one athletic trainer and other athletic director said to me today. Change for adults who control is always hard. It’s time to do what is right and long overdue for high school student athletes and families in Illinois. You’ll see why loud and clear beginning this week. This is the first in a daily series.

11,116 views • 1 year ago

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