DENVER- The Huerfano Journal has learned that The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) will announce a proposed redistricting plan at their Jan. 27-28 meeting and will vote on regional playoff slots. Athletic directors across the state will oppose this move because the proposed configuration will allow only two teams from each district to send qualifiers to the regional playoffs.
Joining District 1 will be Cripple Creek, South Park, Crested Butte and Custer County. The current alignment of the district includes Antonito, Center, Del Norte, Sangre de Cristo, Sargent, Sanford and La Veta. The four teams will be moved from District 6 (West Central Division). The John Mall Panthers are in Division 6 currently. If approved, District 1 will be the largest district in the CHSAA system, both in size, eleven schools, and geographic area.
According to Athletic Director Don Price, “This is hardly fair. We have eleven teams and are allowed to send only two teams to regionals, while other districts have four teams and two slots.” According to Assistant Basketball Commissioner Bert Borgman, “The change will affect only the 2010 volleyball season, but a similar proposal will affect the 2010-11 basketball season, as well.” That proposal will be voted upon at the April meeting.
While the idea is designed to save money and group schools in close physical proximity, the idea has its flaws. How this will affect the Redskins is unclear at this point. Athletic Director Price had this comment, “I think this is a bad idea and I am voting no.”
Every school district in the state is facing cost saving measures because of cutbacks to their budgets due to cuts in state funding. Of concern is whether athletic programs will be cut and how. Possibly, this proposal could save Re-2 money. The redistricting plan means a team will travel to their opponents every other year: five at home and five away. This frees the school to schedule more non-conference games, like John Mall, Hoehne and the Trinidad tournament, which are closer to home. That could give the Redskins a complete schedule and reduce travel expenses.
