The Louisiana High School Athletics Association launched its new website in August. The updated site is easier to navigate and contains more information on the association, the various sports teams, and a variety of student-athlete related material. The association wanted to update the site to make it easier for administrators, coaches, fans, student-athletes, and their parents to find information and stay connected. The site serves as a hub for information on various aspects of high school athletics in the state. With a number of official statements, blogs, and links to the LHSAA social media sites, visitors will be able to turn to the new site for all of the latest information. The new website has an easily accessible calendar of…
The LHSAA is new to the social media scene. Our new Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Blog accounts are a great way to stay updated on what’s going on with the organization and member schools throughout the state. The new sites are also a convenient way to communicate with all high school athletes and voice your opinion on hot topics and conversations! Although we are new to social media, I am already seeing and hearing a lot of interesting things. Phrases like “Facebook me” and “Tweet pic” are just two of the many things I’ve learned from the youngsters using the sites. Social media is a great way to stay in touch with family members, teammates, and even old and new…
Back when I was a kid, the first day of school meant a crisp white shirt, pressed pants, and an apple for teacher. Walking into the classroom, I could see the big blackboard and a few pieces of chalk. There were plenty of small desks and one bigger workspace for the teacher. Today’s children will have a very different memory of their first day at school because some of them don’t even have to get out of bed! In August, BESE approved Louisiana Connections Academy, the state’s first virtual school. Today’s students are accustomed to communicating and learning information through technology. Gone are the days when students turned to thick books or written letters for information. Text messages, e-mails, instant…
I don’t know a coach alive who would trade a victory for a serious injury to one of their players. Coaches, athletic directors, on-field officials, and even teammates work hard to keep student-athletes safe, but unfortunately injuries are part of athletics. Today’s student-athletes are fortunate to be surrounded by the best medical information and technology, which makes it easier and faster to remedy their injuries. Now, the state of Louisiana is getting involved in further protecting student-athletes. During the 2011 Louisiana State Legislature session, three bills were passed that will affect Louisiana schools and its athletic departments. It is important to know how these new laws may affect you. Representative Christopher J. Roy, Jr. of Alexandria, LA authored Act 352. …
Last year, I was inspired by a very special group of people in Louisiana. Maybe you recall the story of Ross Barron and the Mighty Lions? If you are unfamiliar with this story, you can read about it on our website in the March archived Director’s Column section. This story resonated deeply with the LHSAA, so we decided that it is time to recognize individuals who go beyond the game promoting sportsmanship and positively impacting the life of another. To do this, the LHSAA is introducing the Beyond the Game Sportsmanship (BTGS) program. The BTGS Program is comprised of four different components, a Public Service Announcement Contest, Essay Contest, the Sportsmanship Spotlight of the Month, and the Spirit of…
