VHSL proposes six classifications for all sports

By Jami Frankenberry
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 5, 2012

The Virginia High School League is heading toward a major realignment into six classifications, a move executive director Ken Tilley calls the VHSL’s “most significant step” in more than 40 years.

A task force of the VHSL’s Executive Committee has proposed moving from the current three classifications – Group A, Group AA and Group AAA – to six classifications for the 2013-2014 school year.

Currently, the state’s schools are divided into six divisions for only football, which features six state championship tournaments. Under the six-classification system, all other sports could do the same.

According to proposals released Wednesday from the task force’s meeting last month, the state’s 300-plus schools would be divided based on enrollment into classes 1A (smallest) through 6A (largest).

Also, the current region playoff format would be scrapped for a new state playoff system.

The six-classification model will be presented to the league’s Executive Committee on Feb. 22. Final approval could come in September.

The current three-classification system was established in the 1970-71 school year.

“This latest decision to establish six classifications promises to be the most significant step the league has taken in more than 40 years,” Tilley said in a statement. “The interests of the membership will be met by correcting many of the concerns with the present three classification structure.”

Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com, Twitter @757teamz

Note: An earlier version of this story had the final approval coming in April.

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.

Middle School Sports

Submitted by deadkoz on Thu, 01/05/2012 at 7:34 pm.

I know this is sorta off topic, I am from Maryland and they do not have middle school sports and from what I've seen and heard from parents here it is a waste of time and money. Let the kids continue to play recreation ball until High School and save a ton of MONEY.

Well....

Submitted by WG on Fri, 01/06/2012 at 8:09 am.

From what I've seen, it isn't a waste of money. Most kids dont have the money or the transportation to play what you refer to as "recreational" sports, otherwise known as club sports. So what would many of them be doing after school? What is a waste of money is watching a convoy of buses role out of some of the area HS's half empty because most kids drive to school, or having 5 50" plasma TV's in the cafeteria. There's a ton of waste, no doubt but cutting middle school sports all the while continuing to fund a bloated administrative office is counter-productive IMO.