In a meeting held on Tuesday afternoon at the DCSD Legacy Campus in Lone Tree, Colorado’s High School Activities Association (CHSAA) approved the addition of the 33rd sanctioned sport to its roster. This fall, girls flag football will become the 18th sanctioned high school sport for girls in Colorado. The council also decided to implement a shot clock for boys and girls basketball at the varsity level, along with other changes set to take place in the upcoming season.
Rob Johnson, Chaparral Athletic Director, expressed excitement about the introduction of a shot clock for boys and girls basketball at the varsity level, starting from the 2026-27 season. According to him, this development will propel Colorado basketball to the next level, aligning it with other states and bringing improvements to the game, athletes, and coaches.
Larry Bull, District Athletic Director for Cherry Creek Schools, commended the hard work and dedication shown by female athletes who have participated in flag football. He described their accomplishment as amazing and praised Colorado’s support for these young female athletes.
Another significant decision made during the meeting was that high school ice hockey season will start one week earlier in the future to maintain consistent venues for Frozen Four playoff semi-final and state championship games. Moreover, adjustments will be made to spring sports schedules in 2025 and 2026 seasons to prevent championships from overlapping with Memorial Day Weekend.
The skiing state championships will now be divided into two separate events: Alpine competition and Nordic competition. Coaches returning to CHSAA will have to complete a concussion course refresher while schools will receive precise instructions for athlete transfer paperwork completion.
These changes are exciting news for all those involved in high school sports in Colorado as they signal that there is a growing interest in promoting gender equality and improving athletic opportunities for all students.
In conclusion, CHSAA’s approval of girls flag football as an additional sanctioned sport is an important step towards promoting gender equality in high school sports. The introduction of a shot clock for boys and girls basketball at varsity level will help improve coaching strategies while maintaining fair play rules.
Overall, these changes signify that there is a growing interest in promoting gender equality and providing better athletic opportunities for all students across Colorado high schools.