METAIRIE, La. (WGNO) – An alternative to membership in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association is closer to reality. Several schools, both private and parochial, have received an email detailing membership in the Louisiana High School Sports Cooperative.
Two sources said they have been told that membership in the Cooperative is open to both public and private schools, and will be limited to 60. The sources say they understand there is a $15,000 fee to join the new sports league.
The email contains what is called, “Organization Articles.” They include the following.
- The Organization’s headquarters will be in East Baton Rouge Parish.
- No annual dues and no participation fees.
- The organization shall include an executive director, two assistant commissioners, and a chief financial officer.
- An Advisory Oversight Committee will include two representatives from each of the following schools: Catholic Schools, Non-Catholic Private Schools, Private Charter Schools and Lab Schools, Public Schools, and Public Charter Schools.
The Articles say that the Oversight Committee must approve an agenda item by a 3/4’s vote to bring to the full membership. And, that full membership must then approve any agenda item by a 2/3’s vote.
In the LHSAA, a simple majority would pass controversial legislation, such as the football playoff split, and the splits in basketball, baseball, and softball that were passed in January of this year.
The Articles say that any student that is academically qualified is automatically eligible at the school of the student’s first choice in the 9th grade or higher grade of initial enrollment at a Member school.
A source said the email was sent to see just how many schools would entertain breaking off from the LHSAA.
However.
“You can’t do this without Catholic schools,” said one source.
Where Catholic schools stand on leaving the LHSAA is still unclear.
Meantime, at least, one member of the Louisiana House of Representatives is hoping for government intervention into the LHSAA’s playoff split.
District 78 Representative Kirk Talbot, a Republican from River Ridge, has authored House Bill 863.
It says the following.
“A public school or nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that receives state funds shall not be a member of any interscholastic extracurricular athletic association or organization that subdivides schools into select admission and non-select admission schools for athletic playoff competitions.”
Talbot said Wednesday that several of his colleagues, both from public and private schools are upset about the playoff split.
“They differ on the solution,” said Talbot. “But, they all agree the LHSAA is not moving in the right direction.”
Talbot said it might be a month before his bill is heard before the education committee.
It must pass the committee, and get 53 votes to pass the House.
The bill would then go to the Senate, where it must get out of committee, then get 20 votes to pass and be sent to the desk of Governor John Bel Edwards.
“There is a lot of aggravation with the LHSAA,” said Talbot.
