Sports
GHSA Approves New 6A Classification
The state's high school governing body overwhelmingly rejected the controversial 4/8 plan that would have crowned eight state champions in each sport.
MACON -- Georgia high schools will crown six state champions in each sport next year as the state moves from a Class AAAAA to Class AAAAAA system.
By a vote of 26-24, the Georgia High School Association Executive Committee Tuesday (May 10) approved the six classification system proposed by former Brookwood High School Athletic Director Dave Hunter.
That vote came shortly after the committee overwhelmingly rejected the controversial 4/8 proposal advanced by Executive Committee Chairman Stan Ethridge of Savannah. That vote was surprisingly lopsided with 35 of the 50 members opposed.
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The 4/8 system would have divided Georgia high schools into four classifications for the regular season and subdivided them into eight classifications for the playoffs and would thus result in crowning eight state champions in each sport. Some coaches thought that would dilute the importance of winning a state title.
The Macon Telegraph reported that Metro Atlanta schools voted 17-0 against the 4/8 plan and, by the same vote, approved the six-class plan. "It seems there is a clear divide between Atlanta and the rest of the state," Hunter told the newspaper. "That’s unfortunate."
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The new Class AAAAAA system will be implemented starting with the 2012-13 school year. GHSA Communication Director Steve Figueroa said once the Department of Education determines the Full Time Enrollment (FTE) at each school, 15 percent of high schools will be placed in Class 6A, 15 percent in 5A, 16 percent in 2A, 3A and 4A and 22 percent in Class A.
Once the GHSA announces the new classifications, the schools will have 14 days to appeal to the organization to be moved up or down in classification.