Vicki Schull, PhD, a lecturer in sport management in the School of Kinesiology and and an affiliated scholar with the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, was recently quoted in a Mpls.St.Paul Magazine article entitled, “Why St. Paul Parks and Rec Made Youth Sports Free.” The article details a recent program put into place in St. Paul that puts American Rescue Plan money towards waiving sports fees for rec center youth sports programs. On the increase in sports participation following the COVID-19 pandemic, Schull is quoted, “It’s a low-stakes way to get kids back in. It’s different than signing up for a travel league.” Looking towards other barriers to youth sports participation, Schull is quoted, “There are equipment barriers, transportation barriers, social barriers, and support system barriers. So, you can sign up, but how do you get there, and how safe is it?