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The travel sports industry just scored a major victory. In Illinois, high school student athletes will now be allowed to participate in non-school sports programs during the playing season.
It’s all part of a settlement between the Illinois High School Association (who had previously denied students the ability to participate in out-of-school programs) and legislators, who had heard complaints from parents, students and event owners.
The Right to Play Act, crafted in early March by State Rep. Janet Yang-Rohr (D-Naperville), the mother of a youth soccer player, was a response to what were seen as overly restrictive rules which seemed to end in knee-jerk reactions from school officials.
“We have cross country runners who are running a charity race during the cross country season. IHSA found out and disqualified that runner for the rest of the season,” Yang-Rohr told the Illinois House Education Policy Committee. “We have members of a high school pom squad in Will County. Members of that pom squad went to a dance competition, and IHSA found out and disqualified those dancers for the rest of the season.”
An article in Athletic Business noted that IHSA executive director Craig Anderson (who had initially stated the Right to Play Act, if passed, could be “devastating” for high school sports) acknowledged that rules have to be changed sometimes.
“We recognize that IHSA by-laws require occasional modifications,” Anderson said. “We appreciate Senator [Ram] Villivalam [D-Chicago] and Rep. Yang Rohr’s focus on serving their constituents. Their willingness to incorporate feedback from IHSA coaches and stakeholders and work within the existing IHSA framework was equally important, as the IHSA has been governed by member schools for over 100 years.”
The General Assembly had passed a bill in April to partially override the existing rule, which applied unless the athletes obtain permission from both their school and IHSA. (According to parents and student athletes, permission from IHSA was extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain.)
In the new rule, lawmakers and the IHSA were able to craft a compromise that allows high school athletes to participate in events not sanctioned by the IHSA by making waivers more plentiful and easier to obtain.
Parents and students are in favor of the change, saying they are able to take part in travel sports, combines and other events that make them more marketable to college coaches – without fear of penalty.
According to Eyewitness News in Chicago, high school soccer team member Libby Magnone was suspended for two full seasons because she chose to play in club showcase matches in front of college recruiters. She testified before the house education committee in Springfield, hoping to change the law.
"I love it," her father, Rich Magnone said. "Couldn't be prouder of my kid, and I appreciate the state decided to be reasonable about it."
The rule will not affect student-athletes for this school year or the fall semester of next school year. It is expected to take effect in January of 2026.
The ABC affiliate in Chicago quoted student athlete Isabelle Leofanti as being grateful that the Right to Play Act helps acknowledge the importance of being present for high school teammates, while also being able to showcase skills to college officials.
“Now these athletes will be able to do both and not have to risk their high school eligibility for one weekend of an event that could help them play in college,” Leofanti said. "It's so important that it should have been done a long time ago."
High school sports still receive strong participation. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, participation in school sports programs topped 8 million for the first time, as of the 2023-2024 academic year.
Nationwide, state high school associations hold differing views on the issue of students having the ability to compete in both school programs and club, rec and travel programs. It is anticipated that the Right to Play Act will be used as a precedent in future cases where more flexibility is being requested.
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