FILE: IDFAC
HISTORICAL ATHLETIC EVENTS
The DeSoto Parish School Board strives to promote its schools and the positive impact they have upon the students who attend them. In doing so, the School Board believes that developing a strong sense of school spirit is essential to a school's success. At the same time, the contributions of past schools and the spirit which made those schools successful cannot be forgotten. The intent of this policy is to promote the spirit of unity of existing schools of DeSoto Parish while, at the same time, recognizing the strong tradition of former school communities. The School Board values the long-standing heritage of public education in DeSoto Parish and recognizes that, out of various necessities, many schools have been closed over time.
Accordingly, all Desoto Parish schools, as well as all teams, clubs, organizations and other groups representing such schools, shall represent themselves, compete and/or participate in the current school name, colors, mascot, markings and insignias. This policy and the requirements thereof shall be applicable during any extra or co-curricular function, inclusive of athletics, in or out of the parish at all times. Notwithstanding this requirement, upon a majority vote of the membership of the School Board, each school shall be allowed a maximum of one historical game to be played on each campus each year. For purposes of this policy, the term historical game shall refer to a team sporting event in which the participants wear the uniform, or portion thereof, from or based upon a former school (historical school) whose attendance zone was merged into the existing school when the historical school was closed.
To secure approval for this game, each of the following conditions must be met:
The recognized alumni association of the historical school, with 501c3 status, must submit a letter to the school principal requesting a historical game a minimum of six (6) months in advance of the beginning of the school year in which the game would be played. The letter shall be accompanied by a resolution from the alumni board authorizing the formal request for a historical game. Such letter shall certify that the Association will purchase or otherwise secure uniforms, or portions thereof, of equal quality as those utilized by such team during competitive play. The uniform must show the name of the present school in existence but may be colored to represent the historic school. Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) requirements mandate all uniforms be of official game quality and inferior-grade products shall not be allowed by parish competitive teams.
The principal shall collaborate with the school’s athletic director and head coach of the selected sport and make written recommendation to the Superintendent. Such recommendation shall be delivered to the Superintendent within sixty (60) days of the alumni association’s initial request. The proposed dated of the historical game shall be included in the recommendation, but such date shall not coincide with the school’s homecoming nor be a district game.
The Superintendent shall make a recommendation relative to the game to the School Board prior to the start of the school year.
Upon a majority vote of the membership of the School Board, the principal of such school shall be permitted to schedule a historical game as one of the school’s regular season (non-district; non-homecoming) games.
The alumni association of such historical school shall purchase uniforms, or portions thereof, only after the proposed uniform has been approved by the principal. Any fund raising activities associated with such purchase shall be external to the school and shall be handled exclusively by the alumni association and without the use of school students. No district or school funds shall be utilized for the purchase of such uniforms. Uniforms must be delivered to the school principal at least one (1) calendar week in advance of the game, or they shall not be worn by team members during such game.
The alumni association shall not be entitled to any funds from the gate, concessions, or other forms of sales on the school property.
New policy: October 2, 2014
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81
Board minutes, 10-2-14
DeSoto Parish School Board