We are advocating for Emerging Sport status for tomorrow's District meetings. If you are able to talk to or email your principal, superintendent, or athletic director in your community today, please do so and ask them to support lacrosse Emerging Sport Sanctioning at tomorrow's meeting (Talking Points Below). Show/email them this petition with over 900 signatures. Currently we have 3 different districts around Nebraska working on this, and we want everyone involved. All we need is 1 AD to submit a proposal, or they can join other ADs on a proposal, and then we can move forward to a vote in Nov.
Talking Points
Adoption Flexibility
We emphasize that Emerging Sport status does not mandate adoption. It only provides schools with the option to recognize lacrosse as a sponsored activity. While full sanctioning could occur within three years if participation is strong, we support clear reassurance that sanctioning will not be considered before the full three-year period if thats what ADs want.
Flexibility & Co-ops
The community supports cooperative models and shared resources among schools to ease adoption. This approach helps address concerns around budgets, staffing, and workload, while safeguarding the balance between professional responsibilities and family time.
Strategic Implementation Plan
We strongly support a phased implementation plan and the emphasis on flexibility. Reinforcing that adoption is optional, not mandatory, ensures schools can move forward at their own pace.
Officiating Preparedness
We highlight that PSOA has an existing NSAA agreement, a database of 2,000+ officials, and has operated a lacrosse department for two seasons. This demonstrates that officials are trained and ready, addressing a potential concern for adoption.
Structured Progression
The community strongly supports a phased progression. Allowing time to work out conferences, classes, and logistics will lower perceived risk and encourage “yes” votes.
Skill Development Benefits
We emphasize lacrosse’s cross-training value for athletes in football and hockey, as well as its relative safety compared to higher-contact sports. This makes lacrosse a complementary addition to athletic programs.
We will advocate for this every year until we can have lacrosse Recognized as an Official Sport in Nebraska!
What makes the difference now is continued advocacy, sharing the petition, talking with friends, families, and your local Athletic Leaders. Every voice matters, and together we can demonstrate that Nebraska is ready to give its athletes the same opportunities enjoyed across the country. Please keep spreading the word and inviting others to join this effort.
Also, excitingly, a Women’s Pro Lacrosse team is also coming to LaVista for our Youth and HS Girls!!!!! Proof that the sport is growing fast in our state with strong support!
"The Women's Lacrosse League (WLL) is a professional league for women's lacrosse.The WLL is recognized as a professional league, offering players compensation for their participation."