Editor's note: This story is part of a series, State of Play, that examines the variety of challenges facing youth sports and, in some cases, possible solutions.
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Luke Mertens played football as a kid – first, for the challenge. Then for his friends.
“It meant so much to us to go represent our school, represent our communities, represent each other, and play for each other,” he said.
Now, Mertens coaches football at St. Patrick High School in Chicago. And times have changed. Athletes are focused on potential scholarships and little else, he said.
“It’s all ‘I have to have a chance at a scholarship or it’s a waste of time,’” he said.
Mertens says he has 14-year-olds talking about their “careers.” And, in an effort to be supportive, parents try and give those kids everything they can -- no matter the cost.
“There’s so much irony in that, right? Because they’re spending more money on sports, where if they would have just saved, they could have possibly afforded college.
“As I explain to all my parents: The most money available is academically. So, if you really want to make college affordable, stop spending all this money on sports, stop going to your private pitching coach and start hiring a tutor and go get grades. You’ll have opportunities open up at the collegiate level.”
Mertens said he tells his athletes to reduce their emphasis on the financial side of sports.
“Make it about the life lessons that sports teach you and what you can take from that sport to help be applicable to you to be successful in life,” he said. “That needs to be the focus.”
On a related note, the coach stresses to players that it’s perfectly acceptable to make mistakes during their high school efforts -- this in spite of the constant presence of social media, which makes anonymity more challenging.
“When I first started coaching, you’d say, ‘Who wants to play quarterback?’ Everybody would put their hand up. Nowadays? People don’t want to do it because you’re center stage. You’re the one who’s going to get made fun of if you throw an interception, or you mishandle a snap, or whatever it may be.”
Mertens said he tells team members to have the courage to fail.
“If I say ‘Hey, who wants to try being a long snapper on punts?’ and a kid comes out and isn’t really good at it and other people chuckle, I try to highlight this is a kid who’s gonna be successful in life. Because look at the courage it took for him to come out and at least try.
“You guys who are laughing? You’re gonna be the ones asking for a job from this guy in 15 years. You mark my words.”
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