CHSAA approves girls flag football as well as shot clock changes in high school basketball

This past week, the Colorado High School Activities Association’s Legislative Council voted to approve girls flag football as a sanctioned sport and to add a shot clock for boys and girls basketball at the varsity level.

“It’s a great day for our female athletes in the state of Colorado,” said Larry Bull, the district athletic director (DAD) for Cherry Creek Schools, who has been instrumental alongside Patrick Simpson, DAD for Jeffco Public Schools; John Andrew, retired administrator for Denver Public Schools (DPS); Kevin Bendjy, current DAD for DPS; and the Denver Broncos, in the piloting of girls flag football in Colorado.

“The girls that have participated in flag football have worked extremely hard and have done a phenomenal job. It’s an amazing accomplishment that the state has supported these young female athletes," Bull said.   Girls flag football will become the 33rd sport sanctioned by CHSAA and the 18th sanctioned sport for girls in Colorado. It will join the fall sports lineup, with the first state champion being crowned in fall 2024.

Depending on the number of schools that decide to have a team, there could be multiple classifications for the first year of this new sanctioned sport.

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“Thrilled doesn’t even begin to cover it,” CHSAA Commissioner Mike Krueger said about the council voting to sanction girls flag football. “This isn’t just about the game; it’s about empowerment, teamwork, and breaking barriers. By embracing this sport, we’re not only fostering athleticism, but we’re remaining among the nation’s leaders in providing opportunities for female athletes to participate.

"We are cultivating leadership, confidence, and equality — on and off the field — and we are igniting a new era of inclusivity and self-empowerment for every young lady who participates. Get ready to witness the unstoppable force of these girls as they redefine the playing field and inspire generations to come!”

Pueblo South Athletic Director Christopher James spoke about what it means to add flag football as a sanctioned sport.

“Creation for an opportunity to advance women’s sport is amazing and should be celebrated,” James said. “I could see Pueblo potentially having a co-op team in the next few years.”

The other major change to come from the recent legislative council meeting will be the implementation of a shot clock for boys and girls basketball, only at the varsity level, beginning with the 2026-27 season.   “This vote means that Colorado basketball is taking the next step forward with the states around us,” said Rob Johnson, the Chaparral athletic director who was representing the Colorado Athletic Directors Association (CADA) at the meeting. “This will change the way the game’s being played and it should improve the game, our athletes, and our coaches. Everything should be improving, and that’s exciting.”

Pueblo Centennial Athletic Director John Ward spoke about the addition of the shot clock to high school basketball in Colorado.

“As a fan, it will add excitement to the game because it adds another element to it,” Ward said. “CHSAA did the right thing by giving the schools time to implement this change. I think it will be a positive change for high school basketball. It makes it more like the college and professional level of basketball.”

Pueblo Centennial and Pueblo East recently had new schools built, and their new gyms were installed with shot clocks in anticipation of such a change.

However, schools like Pueblo Central, South, County, and West will still have to implement these changes.

Pueblo South’s James also spoke about the shot clock.

“It’s a good thing for the sport,” James said. “It’s time we got on par with the other states, and it puts us on equal footing, and it helps prepare the kids for college.”

James went on to say that schools will need to find the funding to not only install the shot clock but to also have someone operate the clock. This could cause some potential issues, but it's something each of the schools will have plenty of time to work on.

Pueblo County Athletic Director James Vigil also spoke about the changes coming to high school sports.

"In regards to the girls flag football sanction, I think it's great. I appreciate any time opportunities are given to the students," Vigil said. "It will be interesting to see the level of interest it draws in Pueblo, being it is a big softball and volleyball town during the fall season for female athletes. As far as the shot clock goes, I like it. I think that by adding the shot clock, it will make for a much better game of basketball."

Vigil went on to say that he is worried about the logistical parts, like finding a shot clock operator and the cost of the actual equipment that goes with it, but that the change is long overdue.

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Additional proposals passed by the CHSAA legislative council

ADM 1-4: Classification and Enrollment Timelines: The timelines for classification of classes have been adjusted and will now utilize an average of enrollment figures.

ADM 5: Concussion Course: A concussion course refresher will now be required for returning coaches to take.

ADM 6: Transfer: Schools will have clear and specific directions for completing transfer paperwork.

ATH 2: Ice Hockey Season of Sport: The ice hockey season will start one week earlier so that it has a venue to consistently play its Frozen Four.

ATH 3: Keep Spring Season of Sport Consistent: Shift the start dates for spring sports in 2025 and 2026 so that championships don’t run into Memorial Day Weekend.

Committee Report changes include:

• Windsor Charter and STEM Highlands Ranch moving to full CHSAA membership and Vanguard Classical East receiving a one-year probation extension (CLOC).

• Field Hockey will implement a District Tournament, where all teams qualify, and then a consolation path to the state bracket.

• The skiing state championships will be separated into two separate championships, an Alpine and Nordic State Championship.

Additional procedural changes:

• A concussion course refresher will now be required for returning coaches to take (ADM 5).

• Schools will have clear and specific directions for completing transfer paperwork (ADM 6).

• A Pre-Participation Exam (PPE) will be required for all schools beginning with 2025-26, with 2024-25 being a pilot year (CR 8 – SMAC).

For additional information about the upcoming changes to Colorado high school sports, visit CHSAAnow.com.

Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @chowebacca. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com 

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: CHSAA adds girls flag football and shot clock in high school basketball