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'A self-imposed obstacle': CHSAA modifies unpopular Sunday no-contact rule for coaches

chris abshire, fort collins coloradoan
·3 min read

The Colorado High School Activities Association made a small, but potentially impactful change to a long-unpopular bylaw during its legislative council session this week.

A rule that barred high school coaches from having contact with athletes on Sundays throughout the school year was revised to only limit Sunday contact during a coach's specific high school sports season.

The bylaw change (in effect July 1, 2023) was motivated by the explosion of club sports over the past few decades, which put some coaches in difficult spots during club tournaments that are often played on weekends.

Poudre School District, plus other schools and districts across the state hope it removes a consistently-cited obstacle in hiring and retaining high school coaches.

"This bylaw revision is about CHSAA member schools removing a self-imposed obstacle in the hiring and retaining of quality coaches," said PSD athletics director Brandon Carlucci. "I commend the Continental League for bringing this revision forward and was ecstatic to see it finally pass.

"I'm excited for (athletic directors) and their ability to hire even more quality coaches."

The previous rule put any dual club/high school coaches in awkward spots, unable to coach their high school athletes on club teams or sometimes even coach against them at club events on Sundays.

Many chose not to deal with the hassle, instead focusing on the club level, which can also have other advantages like higher pay and shorter hours.

"Often, club coaches choose not to coach local high school teams because they are not willing to sacrifice Sunday competitions," Carlucci said. "Tuesday's vote, by CHSAA member schools, changes that."

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The change could especially impact coaching hires in sports with a major club presence, like volleyball, soccer and softball. It could even help schools find more willing assistant and sub-varsity level coaches.

The small edit also technically lifts rules against practices, camps or even meetings with players and coaches on Sundays — again, only outside of the actual high school seasons.

However, any implementation of that element will be up to individual schools and districts.

Here are a few more notable changes CHSAA implemented in its latest legislative council session:

Baseball

  • The number of players allowed on active rosters during the state tournament has been increased from 18 to 23.

  • Classes 3A-5A baseball will have a traditional double-elimination bracket, with the undefeated team advancing to the championship game, and the team emerging from the losers bracket needing to defeat that team twice for a championship.

Soccer

  • Beginning in fall 2023, overtime will be eliminated from regular-season soccer games.

Officials

More:Colorado high school referees, fed up with low pay and abuse, are leaving more games uncovered

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: CHSAA modifies Sunday no-contact rule for Colorado high school coaches