Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League Crowns the 2024 Champion

Kentucky Country Day School returned to the winners podium for the Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League.  Kentucky Country Day School defeated Louisville Eastern High School in the final game held at Assumption High School on 16 May 2024.

Kentucky Country Day School earned its way into the final game by defeating Louisville Assumption High School.  Eastern High School defeated Sacred Heart Academy to earn its way into the game.

Next year the Kentucky High School Athletic Association will be governing the sport of Girls Lacrosse and holding the post-season tournament.  Kentucky Country Day School becomes the final KSLL champion.

First Semi-Final Crew: Hallie Bray, KLUB Chr; Gretchen Harris, Field; Dr. Kristen Eguren, Lead; Mary Cooksey, Table; Ashley Osborne, Field

 

Second Semi-Final Crew: Dr. John Slider, Table; Jeremy Schmidt, Field; Matt Sallee, Lead; Laurel Grandinetti, Field

 

Championship Crew: Dr. Trent Haffler, Lead; Dr. Kristen Eguren, Field; Matt Sallee, Field; Dr. John Slider, Table

 

 

11 MAY 2024 - A BIG DAY FOR KENTUCKY GIRLS LACROSSE

A big day for Kentucky Girls High School Lacrosse has arrived.  Saturday, May 11th, is the day when the two Girls High School Lacrosse Leagues overlap with their league tournaments.

These are the last tournaments for the two independent leagues.  In 2025 the Kentucky High School Athletic Association will hold its first Girls High School state championship.

The Commonwealth League Championship and All-Star game will be held at 11:30am at the athletic field of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.  Lexington Sayre School is playing Bowling Green High School.  Officials for both games are Miranda Bingham, Nick Franchino, Grace Goodbarn, Ala Hassan, and Steve Ranft.

The Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League begins its league post-season play with the tournament quarter finals on Saturday at four locations and times.  The eight teams participating in the quarter finals are the Champions and Runners-Up of the four regions in the league.  

The teams, locations, times, and officials for 11 May are:

• South Oldham High School @ Louisville Eastern High School - 10:00am at Eastern HS; Kristen Eguren, Mary Cooksey, Gretchen Harris
• Louisville Assumption High School @ Louisville Collegiate School - 1:30pm at Collegiate; Laurel Grandinetti, Amber Lynch, Gretchen Harris
• Louisville DuPont Manual High School @ Louisville Sacred Heart Academy - 1:30pm at Sacred Heart; Matt Sallee, Hallie Bray, John Slider
• Christian Academy of Louisville @ Kentucky Country Day School - 5:30pm; Hallie Bray, Matt Sallee, Bob Holthouser

2024 RULES CLINIC (UNOFFICIAL)

EXPECTATIONS FOR BEHAVIOR OF FANS/SPECTATORS AND ASSISTANT COACHES

The guidance given by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association regarding expectations for the behavior of fans, spectators, and assistant coaches is a very good standard for Girls Lacrosse for the upcoming season.  This presentation follows the National Federation of High School's rules for Girls Lacrosse and other sports.  It is the standard that we should follow for 2024 - especially since Girls Lacrosse in Kentucky anticipates entering the KHSAA "family" for the 2024 season.  It is also appropriate that Girls Lacrosse be consistent with the standards and rules for all sports in the high schools in Kentucky.

Every Girls Lacrosse umpire assigned to High School and Middle School preseason, regular season, and postseason games in Kentucky is required  to review the KHSAA presentation by Julian Tacket, the head commissioner of the KHSAA, regarding sportsmanship - specifically contained in slides #14 and #15.  This link will be shared with the two commissioners of the leagues in Kentucky - the Commonwealth League and the Kentucky Scholastic Lacrosse League. Viewing these slides will take no more than 5 minutes. Read the rule regarding MISCONDUCT (Rule #12) in the 2024 NFHS Girls Lacrosse Rules Book.

In addition, there is an interesting video that has circulated on FaceBook concerning the high standard officials should be upholding for spectators.  This link is found below.

The Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board must start the process toward demanding appropriate behavior from spectators, players, coaches, and bench personnel.  This process will start with Umpires insisting on and enforcing appropriate and respectful behavior in accordance with the NFHS rules from ASSISTANT COACHES.  Spectators will often mimic the behavior of head and assistant coaches.  Strict enforcement of the rules for assistant coaches will have a ripple effect on spectators.  Here are some constructive instructions for this season:

• Do not accept any questions or comments from assistant coaches.  If you cannot ignore the questions or comments, then card the head coach.
• If an assistant coach is misbehaving, yellow card the head coach.  For the second infraction by an assistant coach, red card the head coach.  By NFHS rule the only way to remove the misbehaving assistant is to red card the head coach, then both are removed from the game.
• If spectators are misbehaving, stop the game and have the game manager deal with the problem.  If the problem persists, have the spectator removed.  You may pause the game or stop the game completely if spectators become unruly.
• The NFHS rules for Girls Lacrosse hold the head coach responsible for her or his spectators' behavior.  If the problem still persists, card the head coach.
• AFTER THE GAME, the only card that carries any consequences is a red card.  If there is any misconduct from spectators, players, or coaches after the game, RED CARD THE PLAYER OR THE HEAD COACH.
• Accept no personal comments about your judgement, abilities, or appearance from any source before, during, and after the game.
• Both leagues follow the KHSAA in having ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RACIAL, OBSCENE, OR DEMEANING LANGUAGE directed toward any game participant - official, player, or coach.  If you observe words and identify an individual on the field using inappropriate language, the person should at a minimum receive a yellow card.  Such language from the bench need only be heard and a card issued against the head coach.
• Officials should not use racial, obsence, or demeaning language.
• OFFICIALS SHOULD NOT TOUCH A PLAYER.
• Officials must show appropriate respect to players, spectators, coaches, and their partners on specific games or on games of any sport they are watching. Conversations between officials are not to be shared with ANYONE with the exception of investigations by the rules interpreter of complaints about specific games or conduct.
• Access the 2023 KHSAA slides here.
• 📸 Watch the NFHS video on Facebook CLICK HERE
• Download Training Rule 12 Misconduct PPT

 

2023 Rules Changes for Girls Lacrosse

Download 2023 LAXCON Rules Interp

 

2023 USA Lacrosse Women's Officials Training Manual (OTM)

Access the 2023 USA Lacrosse Women's Officials Training Manual:  Download 2023 WOTM

2023 Training and Rating Dates Set by KLUB

Here is the schedule.  Returning umpires need only attend the rules interpretation and a breakout session for recertification.  A returning umpire need only to attend a field evaluation (rating event) if his or her rating will lapse before or during the season. Returning officials do not need to attend New Umpire Orientation, though newer officials may find if helpful.

 

New Umpires must attend a New Umpire Orientation as well as the Rules Interretation Clinic and a Breakout Session.  New Umpires who have already attended a NUO need not attend another.

 

ELIZABETHTOWN POD

Saturday, 21 January at Elizabethtown HS

9:00AM New Umpire Orientation

10:00AM Rules Interpretation Clinic (with coaches)

11:30AM Break Out Session for Level 1 and 2 Umpires

 

LOUISVILLE POD

Sunday, 29 January at Sacred Heart Academy

12:00NN New Umpire Orientation

1:00PM Rules Interpretation Clinic (with coaches)

2:30PM Break Out Session for Level 1 and 2 Umpires

2:30PM Break Out Session for Level 2 and 3 Umpires

Level 2 Umpires may choose either session based on experience

 

LEXINGTON POD

Saturday, 4 February at Sayre School Main Campus

9:00AM New Umpire Orientation

10:00AM Rules Interpretation Clinic (with coaches)

11:30AM Break Out Session for Level 1 and 2 Umpires

 

There will be two field evaluation (rating event) opportunities:

 

VERSAILLES POD

Saturday, 25 February at Falling Springs Rec Center in Versailles, KY

For Levels 1 and 2 ratings and any Juniors in the Lexington area

This is a part of the 24-26 February preseason Woodford Jamboree.  I can get raters and ratees paid for games.

 

LOUISVILLE POD

Sunday, 26 February at Sacred Heart Academy

For Level 3 ratings and any Juniors in the Louisville area (No Level 1 or 2)

Level 3 ratings require a three person crew on games.  I will not make Louisville Juniors go out of town.

Important Coming Events for the 2023 Season

5 November - New Umpire Orientation (Elizabethtown)

8 November – New Umpire Orientation (Louisville)

4 December – New Umpire Orientation (Lexington)

7 January – King Louie MS and HS Indoor Leagues begin

?? January – New Umpire Orientation (Louisville)

?? January – New Umpire Orientation (Lexington)

?? January – Oldham County Y HS Indoor League begins

21 January – Rules Interpretation Clinic (Elizabethtown)

21 January – Level 1/2 Training (Elizabethtown)

29 January – Rules Interpretation Clinic (Louisville)

29 January – Level 1 / 2 Training (Louisville)

29 January – Level 2 / 3 Training (Louisville)

4/5 February – Rules Interpretation Clinic (Lexington)

4/5 February – Level 1 / 2 Training (Lexington)

15 February – HS Schedules and Fees submission to assignor deadline

15 February - Practices begin

26  February – Level 2 / 3 and Junior Field Evaluations (Louisville)

24-26 February – Level 1 / 2 and Junior Field Evaluations (Versailles)

24-26 February – Woodford Jamboree

1 March – KSLL and CL HS regular seasons begin

5 March – King Louie MS League begins

9 March – JCPS MS season begins

24-25  March – Christian Academy of Louisville Icebreaker

19-23 April – Sacred Heart Academy Braveheart

1-13 May – Commonwealth League Post Season

8-19 May – KSLL Post Season

GIRLS LAX NFHS RULES CHANGES FOR 2023

ACCESS THE 14 MINUTE GIRLS LACROSSE RULES CHANGES FOR 2023:

2023 Girls Rules Preview from USA Lacrosse on Vimeo.

ATTENTION COACHES - UMPIRES ARE NEEDED

COACHES! As you know, there are usually barely enough officials to cover the number of games in our leagues in Kentucky.  Additionally, locally and nationally there has been a HUGE decline in the number of available officials and fewer officials seeking to join the "team."  In order to fulfill the basic number of games and to be able to address the needs of tournaments, make-up games and add ons, WE NEED MORE OFFICIALS! Download KY LAX OFFICIALS FLYER

  

The Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board (KLUB) is working to provide more training opportunities and broaden our reach to seek out new officials. We are contacting various organizations and others to try to grow our list of officials.  

 

This issue will DIRECTLY AFFECT YOU - SO WE NEED YOUR HELP....

 

First, we want to challenge each team to submit 2 names to go through NEW OFFICIALS ORIENTATION/TRAINING.  THERE WILL BE A PRIZE FOR THE TEAM PROVIDING THE MOST PROSPECTS.

 

Here is the New Officials Checklist that you are welcome to share with people and to help get new officials started.  Download NEW OFFICIALS CHECKLIST 2023. While current players may be helpful at the MS game, we are really looking to grow the potential HS Officials. 

 

So, who is a good candidate to officiate HS GIRLS LACROSSE? 

• Graduated Former HS Girls Lacrosse players - college or post college students who no longer play for a local team
• Parents of graduates or current players 
• Teachers at your affiliated schools
• AD Contacts - Do your ADs know officials in other sports or other sports parents who may be interested?
• Other sports league officials - church league officials, non-school affiliated players/parents/officials for other sports, collegiate intramural players/coaches?

Please send your list of prospects (name, phone and email) and any info you can provide about each person to John Slider.  We will evaluate the number of names/people who attended training for each school. A prize will be given at the Rules Interpretation meeting in January or February to the team who has the most prospective HS officials who completed the NEW OFFICIALS ORIENTATION.    We welcome current HS players to go through the training, but recognize that they have game and school constraints that may limit their availability during the spring season.

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY YOU CAN HELP:

Please evaluate your coaching style, behavior, language and tone during games and communications with officials before and after games.  NFHS and NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) have released several studies and articles regarding the rapid decrease in the number of officials. (Download Officials Retention Survey) One of the biggest reasons officials leave the sport or don't continue to higher levels is because of the team bench and spectator behavior. This is a BIG reminder for all coaches to evaluate their own behavior as well as the behavior of their bench personnel and parents.  Officials understand that occasionally people get emotional, but personal attacks, repeated situations of questioning of calls and hostile tone, criticism, or harassment will make officials NOT come back to your field or games.  Officials have a right to DECLINE any games they are assigned and THEY ARE DECLINING games due to the behavior of Kentucky coaches and spectators. Please hold each other and yourself accountable.  Our officials put in a lot of time training and preparing for your season.  But, just like you and your players, people are not always perfect and each game is a learning process for everyone involved.  Be respectful of the officials' time and effort.  Please feel free to reach out to John Slider if you would like some assistance on appropriate communications with officials.

 

SO START TALKING LACROSSE TO EVERYONE AND SEND US YOUR NEW POTENTIAL HS OFFICIALS!  LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE FIELD!