Urges and requests the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to establish and sanction the competitive sport of tournament bass fishing.
Impact
If sanctioned, SCR22 would expand the array of competitive sports recognized by LHSAA, which currently oversees numerous athletic championships. This move would provide students with an additional platform to engage in interscholastic competition, thereby promoting not only fishing as a sport but also potentially enhancing student engagement and school spirit. The favorable reception of this resolution among the state lawmakers reflects a belief in the educational and community benefits derived from such inclusivity in high school athletics.
Summary
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 22 (SCR22) urges the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) to establish and sanction the competitive sport of tournament bass fishing. This resolution reflects an acknowledgment of the cultural significance of fishing in Louisiana and the growing interest among high school students in participating in bass fishing competitions. The language of the resolution highlights that many students already engage in bass fishing both recreationally and competitively, indicating a demand for formal recognition of the sport at the high school level.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment regarding SCR22 appears to be positive, with unanimous support in the Senate, where it received a vote of 30 to 0. Lawmakers recognize the importance of culturally resonant activities in schools and the benefits they provide for student development. There are no recorded opposition points regarding this resolution, indicating a consensus around the necessity and fairness of including bass fishing as a sanctioned sport in the state.
Contention
Notably, while the bill does not face direct opposition, its passage implies a longer-term discussion regarding the inclusion of various competitive sports in educational settings. Future debates could arise around resource allocation for fishing programs and the sustainability of such sports under LHSAA oversight. Nonetheless, SCR22 sets a precedent for recognizing less traditional sports, potentially paving the way for further discussions on the expansion of sanctions in high school athletic activities.
Commends Trey Touchet of St. Thomas More High School for being named the 2012-2013 Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year in boys basketball, and the Outstanding Player of the Louisiana Sports Writer's Association Class 4A All-State boys basketball team.
Requests the LHSAA to study current practices of member schools concerning the awarding of athletic letters, jackets, patches, and other indicia to student athletes who are members of a team for at least three years during high school.
Requests the Department of Education to study the feasibility of establishing a Louisiana high school athletic agency within the department to administer high school intrastate interscholastic athletics.
Commends St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School girls basketball team on winning the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Class 2A Basketball State Championship.
Commends the Ponchatoula High School boys basketball team on winning the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division I (Non-Select) State Basketball Championship for a second consecutive year.
Commends the Fairview High School baseball team upon reaching the 2015 Class B state championship game in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association State Baseball Tournament