N.C. High School Athletic Association Board Meeting in Chapel Hill

This week, the city of Chapel Hill will host the N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Board of Directors for its annual winter meeting. The meeting is set to kick off on Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. and promises to cover several important topics that will affect high school football and other sports across the state.

One of the first items on the agenda will be a vote on the consent agenda, which includes admitting three new schools into the NCHSAA for the upcoming school year. After that, the board will enter closed sessions to discuss various committee meetings.

Starting at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday, the board will dive into discussions on realignment, the structure of playoffs consisting of eight classifications, and potential amendments. A notable proposal will be on separating charter and parochial schools from traditional public schools during state playoffs.

The board will also review reports from several committees, including Finance & Personnel, Policy, Review & Officiating, and Sports. These reports will lay the foundation for votes scheduled for Thursday.

On Thursday, the meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. with updates from affiliate members like the N.C. Coaches Association and N.C. Athletic Directors Association. After a brief break, the board will discuss and vote on various proposals.

At 1 p.m. on Thursday, a virtual press conference with Commissioner Que Tucker will allow the media to ask questions regarding the boards’ decisions.

Among the proposals is one from Nash Central High School, advocating for separate playoff brackets for schools without clear attendance zones, specifically targeting the separation of charter and parochial schools from traditional public schools. This proposal, outlined by Dr. Jonathan Tribula, hopes for feedback from all member schools through a survey, possibly leading to changes by the 2025-2026 school year.

Also up for consideration is a proposal to officially make flag football a sanctioned sport starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with 116 schools expected to field teams this year. Flag football has rapidly gained popularity among girls in North Carolina, supported by financial aid from the Carolina Panthers. This week will also see the first flag football playoffs culminating in a state championship.

Another significant aspect of the NCHSAA’s agenda is the evaluation of the RPI formula, which determines playoff qualifiers and seeding. Results from a survey of coaches and athletic directors indicated a division in satisfaction, with nearly half of respondents dissatisfied with the current formula. The board plans to explore two alternatives for the RPI system and weigh feedback against the need for maintaining seeded brackets.

Furthermore, the NCHSAA is considering adjustments to playoff ticket prices, which have remained the same for the past seven years. Schools have voiced concerns about financial losses incurred from hosting playoff games due to lower mandated ticket prices compared to regular-season games.

As the meeting unfolds, updates will be available, providing insights into the future direction of high school athletics in North Carolina.