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Parents, students and boosters urge Evergreen Public Schools to keep girls lacrosse as a district sport
Summary
Dozens of students, parents and booster-club leaders urged the Evergreen Public Schools board to preserve girls varsity lacrosse, arguing the program has grown rapidly, provides college pathways and that converting it to a private club would create financial barriers; the district announced funding for 2026-27 while community members pressed for a permanent commitment.
Dozens of students, parents and booster-club leaders urged the Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors on July 14 to permanently preserve girls varsity lacrosse as a district-supported sport.
The meeting opened with the chair noting that the district and the Evergreen Lacrosse Booster Club met and that "there will be no changes to the district funding of girls lacrosse for the upcoming 26, 27 school year" but speakers asked the board for a lasting commitment rather than a one-year extension.
Why it matters: Speakers said switching the team to a private, pay-to-play club would reduce access for low-income families, narrow college recruiting visibility and break a youth-to-high-school pipeline that has produced steady growth.
"My name is Sarah Fox and I am the board president of ELX Evergreen Lacrosse Booster Club," Fox said. She told the board the program has seen a 144% increase in participation over the last three seasons and expects a roster of "40 plus high school girls" next season. "Changing ELX to a private club level pay to play model would create a significant financial barrier," she said.
Student speakers described personal and academic benefits from the program. "Varsity sports are supposed to build leaders and change lives," said Madeline Sites, a captain and rising senior. Anna Grace Henkels, also a captain and rising senior, said the team's varsity status helps make players visible to college recruiters and supports hopes of playing at the NCAA level.
Parents and other advocates pressed Title IX and equity concerns. Paul Henkles, representing ELX Far Sea Lacrosse, said state law allows school boards to delegate athletic governance, and he argued that using the sport's non-WIAA status as the reason to demote it "treats our athletes unequally." Several speakers urged the board to preserve the sport while also supporting new offerings such as girls flag football.
Board response and next steps: Board members thanked students for speaking and asked staff for more information. During board comments, directors requested an athletics participation update and a Title IX review to better understand participation numbers and equity implications as the district plans for the coming year.
The board did not take a final vote on a permanent change to lacrosse at the July 14 meeting; administrators told the audience the program is funded for 2026-27 while district and booster leaders continue discussions.
The board indicated it would seek additional participation and funding data before making longer-term decisions.
