IHSAA reaction to state tournament changes

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - Winning state championships used to mean bragging rights for years to come. Now it means a possibility of moving up a class and starting all over against even tougher competition.

The IHSAA recently added a 6th class for football while also implementing a tradition factor for all sports. A decision that hasn’t gone unnoticed in the Lafayette area.

For Lafayette Jeff, McCutcheon, and Harrison, implementing a 6th football class means a fresh start and a chance for tournament success in 5A. While Class A powerhouse Central Catholic faces a challenging dilemma, a deep tournament run in November or June means the Knights are headed to 2A.

“It's about resources, it's about available athletes, it's about socioeconomic status and it's about a whole different variety of factors. But when you boil it down at the end of the day it's about success,” said Commissioner Of The IHSAA Bobby Cox.

While Athletic Directors Mark Preston and Tim Bordenet aren't sold on the changes. They are encouraged by the fact that the IHSAA is trying to even the playing field.

“I think change is good but it doesn't mean that we have to stick with the changes that we have made but I think we have some very good people down in Indianapolis with the IHSAA and with the executive committee and we have to trust as members of that organization that they are doing what is best for all of those students,” said Lafayette Jeff Athletic Director Mark Preston.

“You know change is ok and I think our kids are excited about the possibility of being able to move up and having a greater challenge so from our stand point we are going to go play whoever they tell us to play and we have never backed down from a challenge and I don't think this will detour us from that in any way shape or form,” said Athletic Director Tim Bordenet.

Decisions of this magnitude don't happen without controversy, Cox is confident the executive committee got this one right.

“I think we owe it to our membership and we owe it to the kids in Indiana to get better. The only way we are going to get better is to change so I feel like this is an opportunity for us to get better,” said Cox.