Terre Haute Vice News

According to a report in the Muncie Star Press, During its annual meeting on Monday, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) board of directors voted to fully recognize girls wrestling and boys volleyball as official sports starting from the 2024-25 school year.

Initially approved as emerging sports in 2022, both girls wrestling and boys volleyball have seen significant growth and participation rates in recent years. IHSAA Commissioner Paul Neidig highlighted the remarkable rise of girls wrestling, noting an increase from less than 300 participants five years ago to 1,444 girls representing 177 high schools in the state this past winter.

While the growth of boys volleyball was expected to be slower due to team size requirements, it has also shown promising development. With 105 schools registered to play boys volleyball this spring across the state’s three districts, the sport has met the threshold of 100 schools required for full recognition.

At a straw poll conducted among athletic directors and administrators at Plainfield last week, the addition of girls wrestling and boys volleyball received overwhelming support, with a vote of 62 to 4 in favor.

Among other proposals discussed during the meeting, a measure to classify beach volleyball as a distinct sport from indoor volleyball failed to gain traction. Similarly, a proposal to adjust the criteria for classifying schools based on the percentage of member schools sponsoring a team did not pass, but it has been earmarked for further consideration in the future.

The board also approved changes to transfer policies, tournament success factors, and out-of-season limited contact programs. Additionally, an extra moratorium week, determined by each member school, will be implemented in the summer of 2025.

Despite some proposals failing to gain support, the meeting showcased the ongoing efforts to enhance high school sports governance and address emerging needs within the athletic community.