In a decision with implications for the athletic landscape of the Classic Lake Conference (CLC), superintendents from the five districts voted on November 6 to exclude Robbinsdale Armstrong High School from the conference starting with the 2010-2011 school year.
The move was based on a recommendation that received approval from principals during an October 31 meeting.
However, the final exclusion of Robbinsdale Armstrong from the CLC is contingent upon action by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).
The current members of the Classic Lake Conference include Edina High School, Hopkins High School, Minnetonka High School, Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, and Wayzata High School.
“This decision was made cooperatively with all five schools represented in the discussions,” said John Schultz, superintendent, Hopkins Public Schools. “While it was a difficult decision, it will lead to equitable opportunities for students in all five schools and it is best for the future of all five schools.”
The decision-making process involved a thorough examination of data by conference activities directors.
The rationale for the recommendation and subsequent decision hinged on various factors, including current and projected grade 9-12 enrollment. Robbinsdale Armstrong was noted to have enrollments at least 15 percent smaller than the other four CLC schools.
Projections for the 2010-2011 school year indicated even wider gaps, ranging from 17 to 40 percent.
Participation in activities and athletics also factored into the decision. Robbinsdale Armstrong currently has 45 percent fewer students participating in athletics compared to the other four CLC schools.
Projections suggest that by 2010-2011, the other four schools will have at least 534 more students involved in athletics than Robbinsdale Armstrong.
The dynamics of the CLC have faced challenges over the years, losing member schools like Richfield in 1999, and Robbinsdale Cooper and St. Louis Park in 2005. Scheduling events has become increasingly difficult, often requiring schools to travel great distances, even out of state.
Despite efforts to recruit additional members to join the conference in recent years, these attempts have proven unsuccessful.
As the situation unfolds, attention now turns to the Minnesota State High School League, which holds the key to the final determination of Robbinsdale Armstrong’s status in the Classic Lake Conference.
The decision signals a significant shift in the conference’s composition and raises questions about the future landscape of high school athletics in the region.
