LHSAA passes 'play-up' proposal; Catholic League may return

Louisiana high school principals voted today to allow schools to compete athletically in a higher enrollment classification, clearing the way for the return of some form of the Catholic League for the 2013-14 academic year.

In a 158-125 vote at the annual Louisiana High School Athletic Association meeting in Baton Rouge, principals approved the “play up” proposal sponsored by Jesuit High School principal Mike Giambelluca. The proposal allows schools to play up by only one classification.

After the vote, officials from both St. Augustine and Holy Cross high schools – which currently compete in Class 4A – indicated they would want to move up to Class 5A for sports competition. That would allow them to rejoin Jesuit, Brother Martin and Archbishop Rummel in a Catholic League district.

Officials from Archbishop Shaw High School, which currently competes in Class 4A, were not available for comment.

The LHSAA will take up the matter of reclassification in November when it has access to enrollment figures for the 2012-13 academic year. LHSAA executive director Kenny Henderson said he has made no decision about the possibility of restoring the Catholic League, but it is an idea he would consider.

Chalmette High School, a public school, likely would remain in the new 5A district. West Jefferson and Grace King, the other public school members of District 9-5A, likely will ask to be placed in a reconfigured public school district.