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Press Release. 3/10/17. Blake Requests to Opt Up in Classification for Three Varsity Sports

By Athletic Department, 03/10/17, 11:45AM CST

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Blake Requests to Opt Up in Classification for Three Varsity Sports

MSHSL to consider Blake’s request to play AA in girls’ hockey, boys’ hockey and boys’ tennis

 

The Blake School has announced its intention to the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to opt up in classification from A to AA for three varsity teams: boys’ hockey, girls’ hockey and boys’ tennis. MSHSL will consider Blake’s request and communicate a decision by the end of March.

“The most important factor for Blake in requesting this change of classification for hockey and boys’ tennis is to provide a positive experience for our student-athletes — one that allows for safe competition, appropriate challenges and meaningful experiences,” says Nick Rathmann, Director of Athletics. “Our goal is to help student-athletes reach their full potential and offer them a solid foundation for continued academic and athletic success in college and beyond.”

Blake’s decision to opt up in these sports was informed by an ongoing, multi-year evaluation of all of the school’s MSHSL-affiliated programs. The process draws on quantitative data for each sport, such as state tournament appearances, state tournament titles, wins and losses, number of coaches, wins over high-class opponents, collegiate players from the program and college-committed players already in the program over the range of years.

The process also includes qualitative perspectives from stakeholders and community members, such as coaches, administrators, parents, guardians, alumni and colleagues at peer institutions and at the collegiate level.

While community input is part of the process, Blake’s decision to opt up in any sport is made at the school-level, not at the department, program or team level.

Blake hockey and boys’ tennis teams will remain a part of the Independent Metro Athletic Conference (IMAC) and will play conference opponents such as Providence Academy, Minnehaha Academy, Mounds Park Academy, Breck and St. Paul Academy. The teams will also have essentially the same regular season schedules as they have had in recent years, which means the level of competition will be consistent with past seasons. Opting up will not impact the operations or opportunities offered through Blake’s junior varsity programs or any other Blake sports or teams.

“Blake’s decision to opt up in competition for these programs is deeply aligned with our mission and core values,” says Head of School Anne Stavney. “Blake seeks to challenge, educate and support our students in an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities. Our intent to change the classification for team competition in these sports will serve our students well during their time at Blake and in the years to come.”