High school athletic fees can range anywhere from $50 to over $1,000 depending on the sport, creating a financial barrier that prompts mixed reactions from coaches, parents, and student-athletes at Granger High School. These rising costs often discourage students from participating in school sports, raising key questions about where fee money actually goes and whether high school athletics are becoming too expensive.
Athletic fees primarily cover team travel expenses, referee game fees, facility rentals, and uniform and safety equipment.
“I am not joining volleyball this year because the fees are too expensive,” Kesaia Shelton (11) said. “I talked to my parents about trying out, and they made me choose between volleyball and softball since paying for both is too expensive.”
Shelton’s experience highlights a growing dilemma for multi-sport student-athletes who must navigate competing team costs.
“My take on this is that everything in life costs money, but the value you get from participating in sports is worth it,” Clint Felion, a baseball coach, said. “Many student-athletes look forward to cool jerseys and equipment, but the truth is those things cost a lot of money. Bus rides and every little thing provided for the entire team add up.”
While students often focus on team gear and competition, coaches manage extensive background budgets required to keep athletic programs operational.
“I do think athletic fees are expensive, but what the money goes toward is also expensive,” Emmanuel Taban Taeoalii, a girls basketball coach, said. “We pay around $6,000 for buses and $5,000 for officials.”
Students acknowledge that updated equipment makes high fees easier to accept, though state rules restrict how student fee money can be allocated.
“For volleyball this year, the fees go toward brand-new uniforms, gear, and equipment,” multi-sport athlete Naomi Fields (12) said. “I think if kids are paying so much, we should be able to get new equipment. For softball, we need new bats or new helmets. Our softball field needs a lawnmower, but we can’t use fee money for field maintenance even though our field is in distress.”
To help ease the financial burden on families, coaches encourage student-athletes to take full advantage of team fundraising opportunities.
“It depends on how much gear you get—if the sport provides a lot of gear, then it’s worth it,” coach Austin Foster said. “We coaches try to help as much as we can, and players should participate in team fundraisers to help pay for their fees.”
