In what may turn out to be the end of the LHSAA as we know it, high school principals from throughout the state voted to allow the seperation of select school championships beginning in 2019 with the football title games.
The vote was approved when Tuerlings’ Cathlic principal Mike Boyer’s proposal asking for additional select-school representation on the LHSAA’s executive committee was shot down by a 215-119 margin.
The original plan was to vote on splitting the championships in football, basketball, baseball and softball individually. However, when the vote on baseball occurred, the proposal was nixed, but only by thin nine vote margin (130-121).
A visit to Boyer by Linclon Prep principal Gordan Ford and the proposal for baseball was revisited. The second time around, the split in baseball was passed and just like dominoes, the proposals for the rest of the sports involved fell one by one.
The vote means that select schools will decide where they wish to hold thier championship games. Non-select schools will contine to follow what has been the norm in the past; playing title games at one venue.
What impact will the newest split in select/non-select shools have on the LHSAA? Does it inflame the already tenious relationship between select and non-select schools? Right now no one really knows.
But, in this sports writer’s humblist opinion, this latest split just maybe the undoing of the LHSAA as we have known it.
In the first split vote that took place in 2013 that divided the member schools into select and non-select schools for playoff purposes, the LHSAA members basically decided that select schools have an unfair advantage when it comes to the athletes that roam their halls (See John Curtis and Evangel).
I have been on both sides of the coin, so to speak, coaching in both select and non-select schools. While it is true that select schools can choose from a broader area to get the students and athletes they desire, I have heard of a number of non-select schools “getting” kids to their facilities that they desire also.
I have never liked the split from the get go. Our state does not have enough schools to support that type of divide.
All the split gets you is a playoff system that is watered down to the point that teams that would never smell the playoffs are getting blown out in first and even second round games.
One of the comments that was made by LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine after the vote was “We have schools that should not be in the postseason. There are too many teams.” Well, duh!!!
(Note: Easy way to correct that is to end the split)
This latest split between voted on by the LHSAA members, in my opinion, has a solid chance of leading to one thing; a total break away by the select schools. As an association that needs revenue, why would you want that to occur?
While LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says he is “reluctant to speculate on which direction we are going to go”, it seems the direction has already been put into forward gear. The only thing really stopping the select schools from making it happen right now is the matter of money.
But, if and when the select schools find a way to pay for their own association, then it will be hasta la vista, baby. I mean why would a school stay in an association that has decided to split with you twice?
I may be all wrong on this. This split may get all member schools to realize they do need each other in order to survive. Any time an organization in split apart in any fashion, money is lost.
Sponsors will now have to decided where they want to put their money come next championship season. That should be interesting to watch. One thing is for sure, there will be winners and losers.
Just my opinion!!
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Tracey Jagneaux