Important Follow-up Survey – Triennial Survey – Boys/Coed Volleyball, Lacrosse, Team Tennis

April 25, 2023 Athletic Department Blog Updates

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Throughout this year, the members of the Board of Control and staff have discussed the Triennial Survey that was completed by the membership at the end of last school year as we have charted the course for the next few years. We have reviewed those findings in a variety of ways and discussed it with constituent groups at regional meetings, the Annual Meeting, and small group meetings throughout the school year. Those results are listed in compiled form on the website at https://khsaa.org/common_documents/Triennial%20Survey%20Results%2020212022/TotalsForTriennialTotalsOnly.pdf and in detail with school-by-school responses at https://khsaa.org/common_documents/Triennial%20Survey%20Results%2020212022/FinalCompiledTriennialSurveyResults202223.pdf.

As the discussion has continued, the Board has adopted a championship in 2022-23 for Girls’ Bass Fishing as well as a championship in 2023-24 in Indoor Track and Field. While many of the sports and sport-activities had a level of interest that merits considering it “emerging” but not yet “championship”, the Board discussion focus has been on four additional championships that had perceived interest to add the championships. Earlier this year, the Board voted to amend the previous policy for sports sponsorship to require that at least 15% of the schools desire to entire a championship and that those schools in at least three of the 16 defined regions of the state (as listed for Board of Control elections). With 289 schools, that threshold is now 43 schools, less than the 50 schools required by the previous policy.

The Board and staff discussion has focused recently on four sports that appear at or near the threshold, and additional survey results are now needed for the Board to proceed. As part of its strategic planning process, other sports and sport-activities may be reviewed from this data and additional surveys taken in the future to determine the interest. While achieving the threshold does not mean automatically adding a championship, it does set a threshold for additional discussion along with factors such as event logistics, staffing and financial ramifications. The four sports, which are included in this survey, are Team Tennis, Boys/Coed Volleyball, Boys/Coed Lacrosse and Girls Lacrosse.

The input of each and every member school is needed to make these decisions. Each of the sports has the same three questions-
Option 1- My school will participate in postseason play if a championship is first offered for the 2023-24 school year
Option 2- My school will participate in postseason play if a championship is first offered for the 2024-25 school year
Option 3- My school will not enter postseason play in either year being considered.

We understand that this is a “moment in time” decision and doesn’t obligate a school permanently. But your input is vital.

The survey is listed and will require users to be logged into the KHSAA school system. The link to the survey is at https://schools.khsaa.org/ge81supplemental-additional-triennial-survey-follow-up/. The deadline for response is midnight, Monday, May 8, 2023.

The Board policy is listed below-

Sec. 3) Schools Necessary To Start New High School Sports Or Sport-Activities
a) Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Control to address specific previously underrepresented populations, in order for the KHSAA to begin discussions concerning the possible sponsoring of a state championship in a new sport or sport-activity, there shall be at least fifteen (15) percent of the member schools desiring to participate in championship play by showing a favorable response on the interest survey and the sport or sport-activity having currently participating schools in at least three defined basketball regions.
b) One of the key components for consideration is the presence of an already existing organized championship sponsored by another group.
c) The presence of this amount of schools does not, in and of itself, guarantee the addition of championship play in that sport or sport-activity.
d) The Commissioner shall designate contact staff for any sport or sport-activity that has a demonstrated interest of ten (10) percent but less than fifteen (15) percent of the member schools as such sport or sport-activity shall be considered an emerging sport or sport-activity.
e) The Board of Control must review all factors surrounding the possible addition including a fiscal analysis and the possible impact of the addition on member school compliance with Title IX.

The survey is listed and will require users to be logged into the KHSAA school system. The link to the survey is at https://schools.khsaa.org/ge81supplemental-additional-triennial-survey-follow-up/. The deadline for response is midnight, Monday, May 8, 2023.

The response must be submitted by May 8 and results will be considered at the May 10 Board of Control work session and full meeting.

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