I’m joined today by Tom Farrey, Executive Director of the Sports and Society Program. He is best known for his work on college and youth sports reform, with The Nation writing that Tom “has done more than any reporter in the country to educate all of us about the professionalization of youth sports.”

While college presidents may have a deep understanding of enrollment management and the importance of retaining and graduating regular students, many have expressed surprise when they learn how the athletic recruiting pipeline works. The pressure on young athletes to perform at a high level throughout their high school and/or club careers is real and intense, for both the child and their parents. The financial pressure to spend money in travel and tournament costs just to be "seen" by college coaches can approach thousands of dollars annually for families, money that could be used to pay for a college education. Higher education’s complicity in blindly ignoring that youth sports is out of whack with educational priorities, (and disproportionately benefits wealthy children and families) must be acknowledged and addressed by senior leaders in our industry. 

Since 2011, the Sports and Society Program has brought together leaders, facilitated dialogue, and inspired solution to help sport serve the public interest. The group works with many of the largest sport organizations in America. Their signature program is Project Play, which helps build diverse, healthy communities.