Students, coaches urge WJCC to make lacrosse a VHSL sport

Dozens of students, parents and coaches told the Williamsburg-James City County School Board on Monday that lacrosse should be added as an official VHSL varsity sport in the division.

The public comment period drew a steady stream of speakers — including high school players, middle school athletes, coaches and parents — who said making lacrosse a VHSL sport would increase college recruiting exposure, reduce costs for families and expand opportunities for students who currently must fund club play themselves.

“Players like this deserve the same visibility and resources as other varsity athletes,” said Jason Matsumma, president of the Lafayette Lacrosse Club and a member of the club’s coaching staff. “We lose students from our program because they can’t afford club fees or must leave the area to pursue opportunities.”

Coaches and student-athletes said club status limits recruiting and scholarship opportunities. “If lacrosse were a VHSL sport, scouts would look at our players with the same frequency as other varsity athletes,” said John Flanagan, a veteran coach who said many Lafayette players also excel in other sports and academics. Senior Tyson Long told the board he plans to leave the school system to pursue divisional lacrosse next year unless varsity options become available.

Players and parents also pressed a budget point: turf and facility upgrades that would host high school lacrosse games are included in the capital improvement plan but face funding gaps. Board member Riffle noted a roughly $1.5 million shortfall on the Cooley Field turf project during the budget discussion, and urged speakers to advocate with city and county funding partners.

Board members acknowledged the speakers and signaled interest. “I can’t say we, but I will do everything that I can to help you and get lacrosse into our school system,” said Mr. Hossein, a board member. No formal motion or vote on adding lacrosse to the VHSL schedule took place at the meeting.

Speakers who testified included student-athletes from Lafayette and Warhill high schools, several middle school players, club leaders and parents who said many local players have gone unrecruited because their teams are classified as clubs. Some coaches described players who moved away to seek college exposure.

The board’s discussion later in the evening on the FY26 capital improvement plan and operating budget highlighted funding constraints that would affect any move to varsity status. Board members said they are continuing conversations with municipal funding partners and will examine options for facilities and recurring costs before taking formal action.

For now, the division took testimony but made no change to policies or budgets that would immediately create a VHSL lacrosse program. Advocacy from players, coaches and parents is likely to continue as the board and its funding partners finalize the FY26 operating and capital budgets.