The Aspire Academy basketball program landed in Louisville last year with no ties to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association but now is trying to get that changed.

For now, at least, the KHSAA isn’t budging.

 

During a meeting last month in Lexington, KHSAA commissioner Julian Tackett denied Aspire’s request to join as an associate member.

 

Jeremy Kipness, co-founder and head coach of Aspire, said the program now is entering the appeals process.

 

“There’s not a negative to this,” Kipness said. “We just want to be recognized by the KHSAA as a scholastic program.”

 

Aspire is a basketball academy that recruits players from around the nation and competes in select events throughout the season. Its players attended DeSales High School last season, but the program moved to Holy Cross this season because the school could offer housing for its players.

 

KHSAA: Basketball prep academy can't play Kentucky schools

 

KHSAA doesn't allow schools to recruit so why would they allow Aspire Academy to join the KHSAA? I think it's a good call not to allow them to join.

Recruiting leads to corruption. The primary function of a school is to educate.

 

Good call by the KHSAA.

 

So Aspire is not a physical school? And their kids now go to Holy Cross because they could “provide housing”. Is the head coach oblivious to all rules and common sense?

How are you a scholastic program if your kids are being educated entirely by another school?

I'm assuming the only benefit for Aspire to be recognized by the KHSAA is so KHSAA schools can schedule them, and/or so Aspire can compete in KHSAA tournaments/events? What am I missing? Why do they need to be a part of KHSAA?

My understanding is that Aspire wants to be able to schedule games against KHSAA members, which it currently cannot do absent special permission. I don't think it wants to play in KHSAA tournaments.

I'm assuming the only benefit for Aspire to be recognized by the KHSAA is so KHSAA schools can schedule them, and/or so Aspire can compete in KHSAA tournaments/events? What am I missing? Why do they need to be a part of KHSAA?

 

I don't there's a desire to play in postseason events. I'd imagine they are interested in being able to play local schools to make scheduling easier. It will be interesting to see how the KHSAA decision to allow home school teams to play member schools starting this season effects their ultimate decision on Aspire, etc. There's not a ton of difference in the situations.

I don't there's a desire to play in postseason events. I'd imagine they are interested in being able to play local schools to make scheduling easier. It will be interesting to see how the KHSAA decision to allow home school teams to play member schools starting this season effects their ultimate decision on Aspire, etc. There's not a ton of difference in the situations.

 

According to the article in the C-J, their desire is to be eligible for the "National Championship" that is played on ESPN. To qualify for that you have to be a member of your state association.

So...... Let them in and accept their money, but don't let them play against any Kentucky schools?

 

and I am confused about that Holy Cross can offer them housing? I know nothing about Holy Cross of Louisville, but do they legit have dorms for kids or am I reading that wrong?

 

 

According to the article in the C-J, their desire is to be eligible for the "National Championship" that is played on ESPN. To qualify for that you have to be a member of your state association.

I wouldn't care as much about them scheduling KHSAA schools for games but in no way should they be able to play in KHSAA sanctioned tournaments. Only the more talented KHSAA schools would probably even schedule them anyway so it could be good exposure and measuring stick for those schools.

I wouldn't care as much about them scheduling KHSAA schools for games but in no way should they be able to play in KHSAA sanctioned tournaments. Only the more talented KHSAA schools would probably even schedule them anyway so it could be good exposure and measuring stick for those schools.

 

I don't think they have any interest in playing in KHSAA tournaments, but they do want to play in national tournaments and they do want to be able to schedule games against teams like Trinity, Covington Catholic, Ballard, etc.

There is no good reason why they can’t be allowed in KHSAA. If they don’t want to play in the Sweet 16 then why is it an issue?

So...... Let them in and accept their money, but don't let them play against any Kentucky schools?

 

and I am confused about that Holy Cross can offer them housing? I know nothing about Holy Cross of Louisville, but do they legit have dorms for kids or am I reading that wrong?

 

There is a residential facility on the Holy Cross campus where retired priests used to leave. It is my understanding that is where at least some of the Aspire players are living.

There is no good reason why they can’t be allowed in KHSAA. If they don’t want to play in the Sweet 16 then why is it an issue?

 

This is where I come out on the issue. Make it a condition that they can't participate in the KHSAA post-season tournament, but let them play Trinity or whoever if a game can be arranged.

There is no good reason why they can’t be allowed in KHSAA. If they don’t want to play in the Sweet 16 then why is it an issue?

Because it would eventually lead to that.

Because it would eventually lead to that.

 

So you’re telling me that a group of adults don’t have the ability to allow them to be a member of KHSAA but restrict them from playing in the Sweet 16?