I appreciate the investigation, Strike, but it's not necessary to the point:

98% of high school athletes are not going to be professional athletes, or even uni players. So what is the point of even having/funding high school sports? Sounds like a money-drain, right?

They are to teach, by practical application, that individual effort matters; that being a contributing part of a team, matters. That being honest, matters. That being personally accountable, matters. That treating your opponents with respect and dignity, matters.

Those lessons can be, and are, taught every day in every high school district in the land. They can be discussed and dissected in the classroom, but can only be put into the sharp relief they deserve, on the playing fields/pitches of sport/pretend war.

Ancient Greeks knew that and honored it. We should, too.