• Procedure for Proposing a New Interscholastic Sport

    Students and staff will use the following procedure to propose the addition of a new sport/team to the Deerfield and/or Highland Park athletics program. Schools may not have competitive athletic teams unless they are approved according to these procedures. 

    The initiating student or staff member shall submit a detailed proposal to the Athletic Director(s). The name of the initiating agent, contact information, status or position, a description of the sport, proposed level (JV, varsity), and the rationale for adding the new sport.

    Other details include a timeline for implementation, the number of schools involved, and the number of anticipated participants per school.

    Address the following factors, considerations, or concerns regarding the proposal for the new sport:

    1. Available Facilities. Are facilities an issue? Facilities are an essential concern when considering the addition of a new sport. For multiple reasons, schools should have appropriate facilities to conduct the sport on campus. The inability to conduct the sport on campus impacts student safety, participation, and expenses, especially if facilities must be rented. Concerns addressing the use of off-site facilities include:

      • Transportation – Will students and parents have to drive considerable distances, on a steady basis, sometimes at unusual hours, to attend practices? Commuting to and from practices potentially impacts students’ safety, homework, and evening regimens.

      • Emergency response – Are there abundantly qualified adults available to assist in the event of an emergency? Generally, numerous qualified adults are available to assist in emergencies when teams practice on-campus, including coaches of other teams, athletic/assistant athletic directors, and athletic trainers.

      • Lack of practice time – Will the program have adequate practice time? With over 30 high school athletic programs potentially sharing limited facilities, sufficient practice time becomes an issue. Adequate practice time is a significant safety concern, especially for certain sports where proper technique is essential to the safety of participants.

      • Supervision – How will practices and contests be supervised? District 113 sports are carefully supervised. Athletic coaches are evaluated every year. Supervision issues and concerns prevail when virtually all practices and events are conducted through the school, often at unusual hours. The concern extends to crowd supervision at contests.

    2. Facility Conflicts. Will the sport create facility conflicts with other sports? The number of teams or activities that currently share or utilize a particular facility is essential in adding a new sport. For instance, over 30 athletic programs utilize the school facilities regularly for practices and contests.  

    3. Equity. Will all students be able to afford personal expenses associated with participation in the sport? The impact and appeal of the sport should be equitable. In this regard, costs associated with personal equipment required for participation should be reasonable. The sport also should accommodate the interests of both genders.

    4. Title IX. Does the activity accommodate the interests and provide equal opportunities for both genders? The United States Office of Civil Rights requires public schools and school systems to provide equal opportunities for males and females. Thus, a new sport must accommodate the interests of both genders. Unless a particular sport were truly coed, with equal appeal and participation for both genders, adding one sport would require adding a male or female counterpart – thus, two sports. Impact and cost estimates must include that adding one sport or team per school would require adding a second team at both Deerfield and Highland Park.

    5. Expense. Are the expenses associated with the activity similar to most sports? The expenses associated with a new activity must be carefully considered, including the expenses to the district and the expenses incurred by students to participate. When considering the expense, the proposal must be based on total funding for the sport or activity, not partial. The school district will not partially fund an activity.

      • The financial estimate should be detailed and address two components – personal costs for students and the district.

      • Personal costs – including transportation (if off-campus), practice clothing, mouth-pieces, shoes (or cleats, depending on the sport), etc.

      • District costs – including coach stipends, transportation, uniforms, equipment, rental fees, supervision, security, etc.

      • The final calculation of the cost of adding the new sport should be multiplied by two unless it is genuinely a coed sport that includes approximately equal participation by both genders. Otherwise, a comparable girls’ team would need to be added if a boys' team is added.

    6. Safety. Are there safety risks or concerns associated with the activity that goes beyond many or most other high school sports? Participant safety is a significant concern when considering the addition of a new sport or activity. Some sports include inherent risks that others do not. In addition to safety issues directly associated with the sport, other safety concerns merit consideration, including whether the activity may be conducted on campus, where multiple personnel could assist in the event of a significant injury.

    7. Student Participation and Attendance. Will the sport spark student spectator interest and attendance? An important rationale for interscholastic athletics is to promote school spirit, including student participation and attendance at after-school or evening activities. Sports should provide students with outlets and opportunities to support their peers in spirited competition with rival schools.

    8. Available Coaches. Is there an abundance of capable coaches, especially within the district? For multiple reasons, having District 113 staff occupy coaching positions is desirable. 

    9. Compliance with District 113, Central Suburban League, and IHSA rules and regulations. Will the sport conform to all District 113 and IHSA rules and regulations? An essential requirement for an activity to be considered an interscholastic sport is to adhere to all District 113 and IHSA rules and parameters. 

    10. Participation by CSL Schools. Does the sport have broad appeal among other CSL and IHSA high schools? The new sport should have broad participation among CSL and IHSA schools. The CSL is a member of the IHSA, teams adhere to IHSA rules and regulations, teams participate primarily against IHSA schools, and teams participate primarily in IHSA post-season championships.

    11. Appropriate for a High School Setting. Is the sport appropriate to a high school setting? Some sports are inappropriate for a high school setting for one or multiple reasons. For instance, sports associated with an excessive safety risk (such as boxing) or intimidation or ridicule (such as dodgeball) may not be appropriate for a high school setting.

    12. Benefit to District 113. Does the sport provide a clear benefit to students of District 113? The addition of a new sport should accomplish a clear purpose and should have a clear benefit for students, schools, and District 113. Examples of such benefits might include satisfying a legal requirement, creating opportunities compatible with opportunities at other public schools, creating participation opportunities for students with disabilities, etc.

    The proposal shall describe the benefits of the new sport. The addition of a new sport should accomplish a clear purpose and should have a clear benefit for students, schools, and District 113. Examples of such benefits might include satisfying a legal requirement, creating opportunities compatible with opportunities at other public schools, creating participation opportunities for students with disabilities, etc.

    The new sport should appeal across District 113 and benefit both genders.