Class Change Proposal Moves Forward

Citing a need for decreased travel and a move closer to the state's past traditions, the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA) met Wednesday regarding the issue of whether or not to push forward with a proposal that would radically alter state tournaments in basketball, baseball, volleyball and softball - reducing the number of classes in each sport from four to three. Members of the board voted 33-5 in favor of submitting a formal proposal to the IHSAA. Roughly 58 percent of 364 schools asked about the proposal prior to the meeting responded in favor of a three-class system. The proposal concludes that the largest 128 schools would make up Class 3A, the next 128, Class 2A. The remainder would comprise Class A. Resistance to change comes in all forms, most notably from athletic directors from smaller schools. But it could also meet some resistance from the IHSAA. As IHSAA Commissioner Blake Ress told VYPE in July, it will take a majority of schools to promote a change. "When all is said and done, most people will react on how it will affect their school," Ress said. "When you look at the overall picture, one-third of the schools in each class is getting bumped up or down depending on enrollment and it will certainly affect some schools. In the end, 50 percent will be for it, 50 percent will be against it. And if that is true, why would you change it?"