Who benefits from excluding these students from participation? If educators are truly interested in the development of all students, if their job is to prepare them for the transition to adulthood or assist them in taking their education to the next level, why deny this proven developmental opportunity? There is a huge debate going on in this country right now about equal rights for everyone. There is cause for concern about the way some races are treated and the opportunities available to all. If we want to achieve true equality, we cannot choose the different circumstances in which equality is guaranteed. How can we, as a society, support a call for equal rights and equal opportunities for all, turn the page and deny the nation's youth the same opportunities as other students because their parents have chosen to give them what they believe is the best education possible. The bottom line is that participation in sports is a proven developmental tool that gives students the opportunity to interact as team players and discover different skills in themselves. These are not extracurricular functions such as dances, student body positions, or field trips. Athletic programs are part of designing extracurricular activities to develop and advance the education of student-athletes. There is no fundamental need for it