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Trost

@TrustTrost4,432 subscribers

Award-winning reporter & comms leader. Student-athlete advocate. #MoreThanJUSTGames

Shorts

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

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In the spotlight: Israel Abrams (Montini, QB, Israel Abrams 4⭐️), 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 4⭐️), 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

18,708 görüntüleme

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.**

10,942 görüntüleme

Videos

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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

Trost

1,921,570 görüntüleme • 6 ay önce

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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

Trost

52,878 görüntüleme • 15 gün önce

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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

Trost

31,983 görüntüleme • 5 ay önce

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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.**

Trost

10,942 görüntüleme • 1 yıl önce

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