Girls lacrosse in Minnesota became a state-sanctioned sport in November 2002.  As of 2003, 11 schools offer lacrosse as a school-sponsored, varsity sport as part of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).  Additional girls lacrosse programs organized at the club level participate in the Northcentral Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association (NSLA).  Both the NSLA and the MSHSL teams compete in respective post-season state tournaments.

The following serves as a series of suggested steps for teams that have competed in the NSLA and wish to move into the MSHSL.  If you have additional questions, please contact Janet Holdsworth at janeth@mhec.org

Step 1)  Operate your club program as a varsity program.  It is essential that you operate your club program with similar rules and policies as other MSHSL teams to gain credibility for your program and to enhance the experience for all involved in the program.  Visit the MSHSL website and understand their rules/policies regarding student-athletes and consider implementing similar policies with your team. 

Step 2)  Establish a Boosters group with officers.  Organize the parents and fans and establish a 501C(3) group that will help your team with fundraising, support, etc.  This group will provide your program with credibility and legitimacy as well.

Step 3)  Schedule a meeting with the Athletic Director.  Schedule this meeting during the off-season and be mindful of the extremely busy times for the AD such as the start of the fall or winter seasons, post-season play, tournaments, etc.  Be as flexible as possible around their hectic schedule.  The President of the Boosters group and head coach should attend the meeting. 

Step 4)  Prepare well for this meeting.  It is important to use your time with the AD as effectively and as efficiently as possible.  Prepare some talking points prior to the meeting.  Know the costs associated with your program and have some planned fundraising opportunities noted.  Pull together some facts and figures on your program including participation rate over the years, retention of student-athletes in the program, and even some information about whether your lacrosse players are duplicative athletes (i.e. they also play hockey, or soccer, etc.), or are first-time participants in athletics through lacrosse.  This information can be useful in considerations of gender equity. Also, any information regarding the academic strengths of your student-athletes may be useful.

Step 5)  Be positive in the meeting. First and foremost, be positive and enthusiastic about your lacrosse program in the meeting with the AD.  Do not complain about what has been lacking in terms of support from the school, facilities, etc.  (These points can be raised later as “challenges” to address.)  Also, do NOT compare your program with other programs at the school in terms of “haves” and “have nots.”  Emphasize the positive aspects of your program and athletes.  Avoid becoming defensive.  Avoid putting the AD on the defensive.  Remember that the AD is an individual who believes in athletic opportunities for students but who operates in a time of continuing fiscal and political pressures. 

Step 6)  Think outside the box in the meeting.  Listen carefully to what the AD has to say and try to be creative to address any challenges and issues s/he has about moving your program to varsity status.  Think creatively about ways to address fiscal and facility challenges.  Remember, that ultimately everyone wants a good experience for the student-athletes.

Step 7)  Propose a phase-in fiscal plan.  Talk with the AD about a phase-in plan that would allow your club team to be school-sponsored and varsity status at no cost to the school the first season.  Suggest that the Boosters organization fund the team 100% the first season with the school providing facility space.  Over the years, this fiscal responsibility can gradually shift from the Boosters to the school.  This time frame could be 3-5 years, depending on the school district moving from, for example, a 75%:25% split, to a 50%:50% split, etc.  Costs of uniforms, buses, coaches salaries, varsity letters, and equipment can be covered by the program early on, then, the school can pick up buses and officials’ costs the second season, etc.

Step 8)  Develop an ongoing relationship with the AD.  No matter what the outcome of the initial meeting is, begin to develop a positive relationship with the AD.  The head coach can send an occasional email update during the season about the team’s efforts, accomplishments (lacrosse-related or not) by the student-athletes, etc.  It is important to show that the program is not going away and that the student-athletes are having a positive experience playing lacrosse.  If additional meetings are needed with school administrators, let the AD take the lead.  You can provide information to the AD, but let the AD meet with others throughout the district to promote your “cause.”  Ultimately, the proposal to add your program to varsity status must come from the AD and go through the appropriate channels until the School Board’s vote. 

The movement from club to varsity status is a process that may take time.  Remember, that in the interim it is important for all individuals associated with the program to remain positive about the excellent experience the team is having in the NSLA, and to not publicly criticize the school and its administrators.  The Boosters and coaches should handle the “politics” associated with this process, not the students.  But, think of leadership opportunities for the student-athletes in this process to involve them in positive ways in this grassroots effort. 

Good luck!