School sports have become more popular since Spokane Public Schools began its emphasis on "Engaging in Real Life" last year.

Turnout has increased in a variety of sports, from volleyball to track and field.

I asked Stephanie Splater, the district's executive director of athletics and after school programs, about which sports are becoming less popular. I thought she’d mention football, which many parents are telling their kids they can’t play because of the risk of traumatic head injuries.

Not so. In fact, she says, football turnout numbers are increasing.

"We invested in safety. So we do a helmet reconditioning program. We make sure our helmets are not good enough, they're the best," she said.

"At the high school level, we've committed to that for a long time. We have extensive concus

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