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KSHSAA reports participation trends, safety measures and new eSports offerings
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Summary
The Kansas State High School Activities Association told the board that participation remains strong, officials and safety protocols are a priority, and new offerings such as eSports and consolidated championship sites are rolling out; KSHSAA also highlighted student examples and sportsmanship initiatives.
Bill Fafleck, executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, presented the association''s annual report to the State Board on Oct. 14, reviewing participation, health and safety work, and program changes.
Fafleck told board members that KSHSAA continues to emphasize risk mitigation and safety protocols in athletics and activities, including requirements that coaches and sponsors hold CPR and AED training and that schools implement emergency action plans for athletic facilities. He described policies and tools the association provides, such as wet-bulb globe thermometers for heat monitoring and a state-wide requirement that coaches receive heat-acclimatization guidance.
The association also highlighted non-athletic activities, including performing-arts recognitions and the growth of eSports; Fafleck said 84 schools had registered for KSHSAA eSports in the inaugural year. He cited a number of statewide recognitions and scholarship programs, and the association''s work to promote sportsmanship, including a statewide sportsmanship award open to all member schools.
Fafleck discussed sportsmanship, ticketing and championship logistics: the association continues to use modest ticket pricing for state championship events and recently revised some championship-site plans to consolidate locations to enhance the student and spectator experience. He also reported on disciplinary matters and noted several high-profile ejections and confrontations that prompted temporary suspensions of teams; Fafleck said the association has been enforcing its ejection and suspension rules and is working with leagues on sportsmanship summits.
The board did not take action on the report and members commended KSHSAA for safety work, attention to officials and for programs that expand participation options for students.
