ASAA renames classifications for most sports

WASILLA — The Valley is now stocked with Division I athletes.

The Alaska Schools Activities Association has rebranded its classifications for most of its sports. In football, the three classes are no longer referred to as small, medium and large. It’s not Division I, II and III, with Division I replacing the large-schools name. Palmer High activities director and Region III representative Dale Ewart said the decision to rename the classes was made in April.

“The big thing is there were so many different classes and divisions,” Ewart said

It’s a measure to simplify things, he said.

Alaska’s one- and-two classification sports join football in the change. Cross-country running and wrestling will be divided into Division I and II classes, rather than the old 4A and 123A format. Single classification sports such as baseball will be labeled as just Division I programs.

Basketball and volleyball will hang on to the old format, classifying programs 1A through 4A.

Ewart said the switch to divisions for most sports was one of four proposals. Relabeling the classifications has been a discussion item for more than a year, Ewart said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.