The regional and state playoffs are fast approaching in high school fall sports, which is a particularly exciting time for students who get the chance to support their teams on the biggest stages.

It also can be an expensive time. Last fall, I was in the stands covering a regional championship soccer game on a Friday afternoon when I overheard a student/fan on the phone saying how she couldn’t go to the football game later that night. Basically, she had to choose between which game to attend because she couldn’t afford both.

This season, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) is charging anywhere from $5 to $8 for most of the fall sports playoffs (regional play was mostly $5, state play was from $6 to $8) with children under 7 getting in free.

The money the MPSSAA receives from the gate helps defray the cost of team transportation, officials, awards and venue rental.

It’s no doubt a costly venture and the MPSSAA does a great job putting on a fine show, but isn’t there some way to make sure every student that wants to come and cheer on his/her school has that opportunity?

-- Glenn Graham