A Louisiana judge has hit the pause button on new sports playoff rules that were set to shake things up for high school athletes in the state. This Monday, Judge William Jorden granted a temporary court order against the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) after nine schools filed a lawsuit against the organization.
So, what’s the fuss about? Last year, the LHSAA changed the rules about what qualifies as a “select” school. Critics argue that the LHSAA bypassed the normal membership voting process to make this change.
The term “select” usually indicates a certain type of school, like a private or magnet school. However, the new definition expanded to include a variety of other institutions, from charter schools to tuition-based schools, and more. This was more than just a simple wording change; it had real implications for sports competitions.
Because of the new definition, both private and public schools ended up playing against each other in the playoffs during the 2022-23 school year. The schools who filed the lawsuit argue this change was unfair and caused “irreparable harm.”
If no one changes the rules, they will also affect the 2023-24 sports season.The nine schools—Rapides, Glenmora, Northwood, Plainview, Tioga, Buckeye, Neville, Wossman, and Carroll High Schools—are asking for the court to permanently ban the use of the updated definition for future sports seasons.
The first games of the season are racing against the clock, scheduled for August 31. So, stay tuned as we follow this story to see how it will impact Louisiana high school sports.
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