Athletic Participation Increases Nationwide

The total number of high school athletes increased for the 12th consecutive year, to a record 6,657,275, according to an annual survey by the National Federation of State High School Assns.

There were 3,911,076 boys playing high school sports in 2000-01.

Basketball led girls’ participants with 444,872. For boys, football was the leader with 1,012,420 participants. Texas reported the most participants, with 779,329. California was next with 633,572.