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You’ve heard the stories.

Many youngsters like to dream about becoming a professional athlete or competing for Canada at the Olympic Games.Well, for some – the dream does become a reality.But it doesn’t come easy. Certainly not handed to them on a silver platter.Joey Votto, who played baseball at Toronto’s Richview Collegiate, now swings a mighty bat for the Cincinnati Reds. Getting to Cincinnati wasn’t like going next door. For him, stops in many small towns and cities across the United States.Prscilla Lopes remembers jumping over hurdles at her high school in Whitby – but none of that compares to the ecstacy of winning a bronze medal at the Olympics in Beijing. Now married, Priscilla Lopes-Schliep – a graduate of the University of Nebraska and with a great demeanour and lots of pizzazz – is Canada’s latest track and field superstar.Jeff Johnson played football at Etobicoke Collegiate, then graduated from York University. He always talked about playing the gridiron game in the pros and now the running back with the Toronto Argonauts has some great stories to share.From high school to the big time.Listen in on Sunday, September 28 from 9:30am to 10:00am on THE HIGH SCHOOL SHOW.

So, in case you missed it, former Toronto school trustee Patrick Rutledge and controversial municipal politician Rob Ford had some very interesting comments on THE HIGH SCHOOL SHOW.

Rutledge added to his comments that were in the Toronto Star a few days ago and, while understanding the value of voluntary services by teachers and coaches, doesn’t see why mistakes of adults should penalize students - especially those who want to play football. He’s right on. Yes, his son attends that school.

Key point: he, and others, can be emergency supply teachers (with no teaching experience) and get paid to stand around in a school classroom and supervise. But, people like him, and others, can’t coach a team of players outdoors - and voluntarily.

Seems like a change has to be made. Either the Toronto District School Board has to review its policies about liability and supervision for sports events or figure out a meaningful way to compensate teachers to coach. It’s time for trustee Josh Matlow (his area is North Toronto Collegiate) needs to take over and have a pow wow with the Board and the school administration.

Ford, well, he told it the way he sees it. Here’s a guy who has played a huge role in kick-starting football teams at several Toronto schools. He believes that students who want to play sports should be allowed to do so - as long as grades are up to par and kids obey rules. Interesting how the administration at Don Bosco High, a Toronto Catholic school, can find a solution to having teams - but it’s a door slammed shut at North Toronto.

Ford has his way of doing things - and others are jealous of his success with students. He did have some down to earth comments.

Both interviews are on the AUDIO blog at www.fan590.com and generated huge feedback by phone and e-mail for a Sunday.

Sad, but true. North Toronto’s senior football team is a no-go this season. To some, it’s not a big deal. To others, such as players, it’s unfortunate.

Yes, there is a junior football team - for now.

No one is pointing the finger at teachers. Indeed, they are paid to teach and no one wants to see a dispute between the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation and the Toronto District School Board or there could be a withdrawal of volunteer services.

 The majority of teachers at North Toronto do a great job volunteering time to coach other sports, some times more than one, or deal with yearbook, drama, music and more. No argument or debate.

But former Toronto District School Board trustee and the parent of a North Toronto student, has a point. Why is it that he can be approved as an emergency replacement teacher (and he’s not a teacher by profession) to stand around a classroom all day for a few bucks, but not allowed to have the same supervision while offering to coach - and for free ?

Seems the beauracracy at the school Board needs to find a better solution to keep students active and playing sports - the research shows that kids involved in sports do better in school than those who don’t participate.

Yes, North Toronto has other temporary problems - no football field, no basketball coach, issues resulting from the swimming pool fiasco and on and on.

Keep in mind, lack of interest or availability from teachers to coach is not restricted to North Toronto. Their situation is the first to go public.

Now, the ball is in the hands of the Board to find a solution to keep students playing, help teaching faculty with some remuneration in time or whatever and figure out a better way of dealing with the liability and student code of conduct stuff.

Maybe one of those regular Board meetings can be devoted to dealing with this ?

Can you imagine a high school where sports comes before academics?

Well, look at it this way. The new Bill Crothers Secondary School in Unionville is something very special - a $32-million facility with state-of-the-art equipment, plenty of gyms and fields and a facility that allows an academic program to be built around the sports commitments of students.

Different, you can bet on it. Then again, not a good idea to bet on anything that is school related.

Kudos to the York Region District School Board for listening - and then coming up with a school that enhances the goals of young athletes to pursue their dream of playing in the pros or competing at the Olympics or finding a sports-related career.

So, students are back at school and the e-mails and voice mails from people wanting a fix on football have been unbelievable. Coaches, parents, players, alumni - the list goes on - want to know the teams to beat, key players and who will be in the Metro Bowl.

So, what you want, is what we provide. Sunday at 9:30 a.m., and following the “University Sports Show”, we have Heath Weir joining us. He’s a teacher, coach, former player and Editor of Weir’s Football Magazine. He tells it the way he sees it. Controversial and opinionated - just the way I like it.

Yes, a detailed review of the high school football picture in the Greater Toronto Area. Weir will be our guest - and we’ll even have a few free copies of the magazine to give out to listeners.

And veteran football official Jack Leitch will be on the show to talk some football and more - including his own recent life-threatening experience and how he persevered.

One more guest. Well, you’ll have to tune in to find out who that might be.

Our “Sweet 16″ season of high school sports continues on the only Toronto radio station that cares about amateur sports. You guessed it, The FAN 590.