COLUMBUS – Some big changes are coming to high school sports in Ohio, including a move that may result in someday recognizing gaming as a varsity sport.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted unanimously last week to move girls and boys lacrosse out of the “emerging sports” category, where they had been listed since 2016, and onto the list of “recognized sports,” executive director Doug Ute said.
The board also voted to add girls wrestling and boys volleyball as “emerging sports” beginning with the 2022-23 school year, increasing the number of OHSAA-sanctioned sports to 28.
A coaches association has been conducting tournaments for girls wrestling tournament since 2020 and the Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Association has been conducting its tournament since 1988, but now these sports will be administered like the OHSAA’s current 26 recognized sports with additional requirements that could lead to full sanctioning in the future.
The board also and also committed to discuss partnering with a group that specializes in Esports to provide a gaming tournament in the future.