FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2016

 

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association enjoyed record participation levels during the 2015-16 season, with 79,805 rostered participants across the KHSAA’s 13 sports and four sport-activities. Participation levels increased for the fourth-consecutive year, with football once again ranking as the most popular sport with 14,336 competitors (31 girls) playing for 221 schools – an increase of 370 student-athletes over the prior year.

 

Aided by the addition of four sport-activities (Archery, Bass Fishing, Bowling and Competitive Cheer) and the sport of field hockey, participation has increased by seven percent over the last four years with an added 5,210 kids participating in KHSAA-sponsored activities since the 2012-13 season. Football (1,021) and soccer (877) have seen the largest increase in total participants since the 2012-13 season among the KHSAA’s sport offerings.

 

“The KHSAA has always, for 100 years, tried to promote participation opportunities for all students. There has been a special renewed focus these last several years with the addition of four sport-activities and one sport, as well as the tremendous response we have received for the addition of Adapted and Unified Activities in specific sports,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “Sports and sport-activities remain the number one dropout prevention tool in secondary education and a valuable addition to classroom learning. It has long been documented that the academic success rate remains higher for participants in sports and sport-activities, and that those that participate in more than one sport remain the gold standard for academic and scholastic achievement.

 

“I am especially grateful for the support of our Board of Control, the hard working staff at the association, the hundreds of volunteers that assist with our state events and the unending support of our member schools and their staffs that work to make these opportunities available and successful.”

 

Basketball ranked second in the state in 2015-16 in terms of total competitors with 12,626 participants (an increase of 353 students from a year ago), followed closely by soccer at 12,501 competitors (up 461 kids from 2014-15). Track and Field placed fourth in the state with a total of 11,650 participants during the 2015-16 season.

 

After football, baseball was the most popular sport for boys with 7,499 participants, followed by basketball (6,716), track and field (7,144) and soccer (6,485). Volleyball was the most popular sport on the girls’ side with 6,366 participants, followed by soccer (6,016), softball (5,846) and basketball (5,482). Soccer enjoyed the largest increase in participants from a year ago with 461 new total competitors, followed by football (370) and basketball (353).

 

Basketball also ranked as the most-sponsored sport across Kentucky with 275 of a possible 277 schools fielding teams last year. Baseball, softball and volleyball all tied for second in the state as each sport boasted 259 teams. Archery and Bass Fishing saw the largest increase of sponsored teams, with each sport-activity adding 16 programs. The additional 16 teams in Bass Fishing marked an increase of 26 percent to bring its total to 77 teams, while Archery enjoyed a 13 percent growth to bring its total count to 137 teams.

 

So much for all those concussion fears driving lower football numbers. :lol:

 

I am kidding of course. I know the fear of that is in future years and kids currently playing little league.

I blame Pokemon Go

Does anyone know: is there a threshold # of teams you have to have to be a sanctioned KHSAA sport?

 

So bass fishing had a total of 61 teams last year. I ask because of lacrosse not being a sanctioned KHSAA sport and wondered if it could get in soon.

 

Sorry if this is off the topic, but am curious.

I am really surprised at the football #'s going up. Many coaches I talk to say their numbers are declining.

Does anyone know: is there a threshold # of teams you have to have to be a sanctioned KHSAA sport?

 

So bass fishing had a total of 61 teams last year. I ask because of lacrosse not being a sanctioned KHSAA sport and wondered if it could get in soon.

 

Sorry if this is off the topic, but am curious.

 

Not sure if there is a number threshold. But access to the sport statewide is one factor I have heard is something that is a consideration. This is why ice hockey (with only 4 locations in Kentucky) was never going to even be considered.

 

There are around 30 or 31 lacrosse high school teams - all in the triangle metro areas (NKY, Louisville, Lexington). After the split of the leagues a few years my gut feel is that KHSAA will wait for additional expansion and less controversy before trying to organize this under their umbrella.

Did the KHSAA include middle school students who played on High School teams in these numbers?

I am really surprised at the football #'s going up. Many coaches I talk to say their numbers are declining.

 

Part of the increase in football IMO is the resurgence in some programs that have been down the past few years.

Part of the increase in football IMO is the resurgence in some programs that have been down the past few years.

 

This totally surprised me. I figured the football numbers would be equal to 2012-2013 numbers at best. I'll be curious to see what the report looks like in 2020.

Like @ChiefSmoke, I've heard of numbers being down...but, then again..they are also from places that always seem to struggle with numbers/depth in the grand scheme of things.

 

Glad to see the football numbers for sure. The game is safer now than it ever has been before in any of our lifetime's.

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