Select schools will not play football state championships in the Superdome; several key advocates hoping to end LHSAA split

On Thursday 54 percent of the select schools in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association voted to not play their state championship games in the Superdome starting this post-season.
This comes after the select schools voted to form the Louisiana Select Association in July. The move by the select schools was seen by some as a way to farther the split between select and non-select schools that began with the division of the schools in the playoffs beginning in 2013.
Of the 71 select schools that voted, 39 cast a yes vote to not playing in the Superdome. In Division I, nine of the 12 schools voted against participating in the Prep Classic while eight of the 16 schools in Division II voted to skip the annual state championships held in New Orleans.
In Division III the total was six for and eight against, while in Division IV it was 15-14 for not participating.
The LHSAA and Executive Director Eddie Bonine was tasked with coming up with a plan to bring the schools back together for the playoffs or prevent any additional split in sports championships.
In January, LHSAA member principals voted to allow select schools to hold title events separate from non-select schools in football, boys/girl’s basketball, baseball and softball.
“No, I’m not surprised, but I too am disappointed,” LHSAA President Bruce Bundy of Mandeville High School said. “Realistically, it is hard to get 100 percent of people to agree on anything, which is what was required here. But I am hopeful that we can move forward and make this a one-year deal. Our objective now should be to work together on something that can bring the schools back together in January.”
“No, I don’t think anybody is really surprised,” said Catholic-Baton Rouge Athletic Director J.P. Kelly, CEO of the Louisiana Select Association. “But again, unification is the thing to stress here. We want to work with the LHSAA to do everything we can to bring the schools back together in January.
Bonine also talked about his disappointment with the decision by the LCA.
“I am extremely disappointed, but not surprised,” Bonine said. “I just think it’s sad and unfortunate that every team won’t get that opportunity to play at the Superdome this year. We’re still in the process of doing surveys about the split with our student athletes and with over 300 done, it was 100 percent that think the games should all be in the Superdome. I think that is worth noting.”
JT Curtis, head coach of perennial powerhouse John Curtis was not overly joyed with the decision.
“My personal preference would have been for us to compete in the Superdome the week before the nonselect schools,” Curtis said. “It is so hard having two open dates like we do now. I will be interested to talk with our LSA leadership to see why that wasn’t an option.”
As of now, the Prep Classic will be held December 12-14 for non-select schools. Select schools will look to play their championships the week before, December 6-8, at one of three college sites- ULL, Tulane or Southeastern Louisiana.