| LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS | ||||
| Title: | Add Class D Girls Golf | |||
| Author: | Josh Rapp | |||
| School: | Sutton | |||
| NSAA District: | 1 | |||
| Proposal for: | Constitution & Bylaws | |||
| Classes Affected: | Class C Class D | |||
| Activities Affected: | Girls Golf | |||
| This proposal: | WILL NOT increase costs to the school WILL increase costs to the NSAA WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time | |||
| Implementation date: | 2026-09-25 | |||
| Sections affected in Constitution & Bylaws: | Page 56 | Article 3 | Section 3.3.6 | |
| Summary: | I am writing to respectfully propose the addition of an additional classification in Girls' Golf to align more closely with the existing Boys’ Golf structure. Currently, girls' golf includes Class A, Class B, and Class C, while boys' golf includes Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D. The lack of a fourth class in Girls' Golf is putting smaller schools at a disadvantage as they compete with schools as much as ten times their enrollment. | |||
| Rationale: | EQUITY AND CONSISTENCY: Adding a fourth class would align Girls’ Golf with the Boys’ Golf classification system, ensuring gender equity and consistency in how the NSAA structures both Sports.
BALANCE OF SCHOOLS: Right now there are currently 148 schools in Nebraska that have Girls' Golf. They are broken down into the following classifications per NSAA: Class A: 33 schools Class B: 31 schools Class C: 84 schools The disparity in class size is extremely evident. COMPETITIVE BALANCE: Splitting the large pool of Class C schools into two classes (Class C and D) would create a more level competitive field. Schools would face opponents with similar enrollments, resources, and team sizes. Right now, with the current numbers taken from the NSAA, the disparity is overwhelmingly obvious. **SCHOOL: ENROLLMENT (RATIO DIFFERENTIAL)** CLASS A: Lincoln Northwest - 862 to Grand Island - 1940 (2.25) CLASS B: Platteview - 132 to Gretna East - 404 (3.06) CLASS C: Creek Valley - 11 to Adams Central - 128 (11.6) This current classification disparity among the smallest schools who are competing within an overly large and diverse class, making it difficult to ensure a fair and competitive balance across all programs. Smaller Class C programs seem to be at a disadvantage, competing against schools 11x their size. GROWTH OF GIRLS GOLF: Participation in Girls Golf continues to expand across Nebraska. A four-class system acknowledges this growth and provides a structure that supports future participation and development. EQUAL REPRESENTATION: The current system limits state championship opportunities for smaller programs. A fourth class would open more pathways for postseason play and recognition on a state level | |||
| Pros: | Girls’ Golf will align more closely with Boys’ Golf.
Class Sizes will be more equally distributed. Schools will compete with schools of similar enrollments. Smaller golf programs will grow. The game of golf will grow. Provide more opportunities for athletes across Nebraska. | |||
| Cons: | Finding courses to host district and state meets. (which is already don for boys)
Possibly less full teams of 5 (could adjust class D to score 3 instead of 4) | |||