Does the term All-State still mean anything?

All-State - best in Illinois?

Hmmm, what exactly does All-State mean these days? Look at each sport throughout Illinois and odds are All-State is decided differently.

For years, soccer coaches have told me they look at the major newspapers as the true All-State team. I would disagree, as our team is a coverage-area team – not an All-State. (Sun-Times All-Area Team to be announced Nov. 2 – shameless plug).

The Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State meeting was held this past Sunday in Naperville. I’ve agreed and disagreed with the association in the past, but at the end of the day it provides a great amount of time and effort for a sport that needs it.

Nevertheless, every year when I see the list of All-State players I wonder this: Should there be a limit on how many players are honored as All-State?