FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2019

 

The Board of Control approved a recommendation on Thursday to appoint a sport-specific focus group to study the sanctioning of boys’ and girls’ lacrosse following a survey of the membership. Earlier this month, the Association asked the designated representative for each member school to provide feedback on the possibilities of adding lacrosse as a sanctioned sport in either the fall or the spring. The membership responded positively that they would have a team and enter championship competition if the KHSAA were to conduct a spring lacrosse championship for both boys (56 votes) and girls (54 votes). Interest for a fall championship failed to meet the required 50-school threshold for further consideration.

 

Following review of the survey, the Board approved a recommendation from staff to form a focus group to confirm genuine interest in schools adding lacrosse should the KHSAA sanction a spring championship, with the earliest implementation being for the 2020-21 season.

 

“For the first time following several surveys over the years, the required number of member schools responded in the affirmative to the sponsoring of a lacrosse championship. But now it comes down to gathering data from those schools to ensure they have genuine, measured student interest and are aware of cost, scheduling and all other factors,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “It will be a chance for those with strong interest to do more than simply respond to a survey, by taking the steps to determine genuine interest. Adding an additional team sport to a crowded offering of championships is not a decision to be made lightly by the schools and this will allow them to make certain they are ready to take this step.”

 

The Board also heard a report on another recent survey of the membership which sought to gauge interest in how team championships are awarded in tennis. Less than half of the 219 tennis playing schools responded to the survey, with 39 responding in favor of only awarding a “team” championship based on advancement points earned by singles players and doubles players, 46 responded in favor of only awarding a “team” championship based on bracketed, school vs. school play, and 15 favoring both forms of championship. No action was taken following review of the report.

 

During Wednesday’s Annual Meeting of the Delegates at the Lexington Center, the membership approved the lone proposal on the agenda (http://bit.ly/32St4y6) by a vote of 193-to-20. Following that result, the Board approved the Commissioner to recommend adoption of the proposal by the Kentucky Board of Education through the regulatory process and for the Commissioner to publish an interpretive case situation defining the standard that will be applied to the consideration of Bylaw 6, Section 3 cases (and related provisions in Bylaws 7 and 8) in the interim.

 

“Our membership feels strongly, as evidenced by their vote on Wednesday, that the athletic advantage provision is important to the integrity of the rules for our level,” stated Tackett. “This is the next step toward ensuring that this provision remains a part of the Association’s rules”

 

In other action Thursday, the Board:

 

Approved the new membership application for Cornerstone Preparatory School in Madisonville on a probationary period, provided there is a satisfactory review of all membership criteria;

 

Confirmed Henry Clay and Bryan Station as the tentative sites for the 2019 State Soccer Semifinals and Finals, with neither school able to host a game in which it is a participant;

 

Reviewed sample KHSAA RPI data in football and boys’ basketball as the final stages of development of an RPI for the association;

 

Extended the contract of Commissioner Julian Tackett for an additional year, now set to expire in June, 2023.

 

LHL article on the matter:

 

LHL article on KHSAA lacrosse

 

It was interesting to see that there was a vote on making it a fall sport. Lacrosse is a spring sport at all levels. Also, going to the fall would put lacrosse up against soccer and football. These two sports are natural compliments to lacrosse and they also use the same facilities in many schools.

 

The two functions against sanctioning are probably ADs and baseball functions. For ADs - just more work on their plate. As a spring sport lacrosse is putting lots of pressure on baseball at the high school level.

It absolutely needs to be a Spring sport. Won't survive against soccer and FB at most schools.

It absolutely needs to be a Spring sport. Won't survive against soccer and FB at most schools.

 

Yes. Apparently that voted needed over 50 votes to continue and it failed. So IF they go forward it would be spring sport.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't most schools with existing lacrosse programs come out against KHSAA involvement in the sport when this was reviewed last?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't most schools with existing lacrosse programs come out against KHSAA involvement in the sport when this was reviewed last?

 

Yes, from what I heard they wanted to govern themselves and not have it from the KHSAA.

Yes, from what I heard they wanted to govern themselves and not have it from the KHSAA.

 

You mean they didn't want Julian Tackett interjecting himself so he can step in to "be the adult in the room" and run things as smoothly and complaint-free as the KHSAA does with all of the other high school sports in Kentucky?

Yes, from what I heard they wanted to govern themselves and not have it from the KHSAA.

 

You mean they didn't want Julian Tackett interjecting himself so he can step in to "be the adult in the room" and run things as smoothly and complaint-free as the KHSAA does with all of the other high school sports in Kentucky?

I think this is part of it, but on the boys side of things, I don't think schools outside of the Jefferson County Loop want to be paired up with Trinity and St X. I have no dog in that fight. That's just what I've been told.

 

I'm more interested in how it effects the girls as my daughter plays for Manual. I thought it would help, but after speaking with the field hockey people, I'm not so sure it does. More regulation red tape and no funding. So what do you gain?