WVSSAC Announces New High School Sports Classifications for 2025-27
The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) has unveiled its new regional and class alignments for high school sports, set to take effect in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years. This significant update, reported by MetroNews.com, replaces the previous competitive balance formula with a streamlined system based solely on student enrollment numbers.
The transition was sanctioned by the Board of Control in April and finalized by the West Virginia State Board of Education in May. In a notable expansion, five sports will now operate under expanded classifications: Golf, Cross Country, and Track will each have four classes; soccer will have three classes; and swimming will increase from one to two classes.
Moreover, all non-football sports currently designated as Class AAAA will transition from a traditional four-region format to a simplified two-region setup, dividing into North and South. Charleston Catholic, while classified as a Class A school by enrollment, will continue competing in Class AA for basketball, baseball, and volleyball, and will also move to Class AAA in boys and girls soccer. Similarly, Wheeling Central Catholic will compete in Class AA for volleyball, basketball, golf, and baseball.
The most significant changes are slated for the WVSSAC football divisions. Following a tumultuous reclassification procedure in August 2024 that impacted 22 schools, 14 teams will shift to different classifications for the 2025 season. Class AAAA will grow from 16 to 20 schools, all eligible for postseason competition.
The new structure aims to create a more equitable playing field while ensuring that student-athletes compete against peers of similar enrollment sizes, enhancing the overall competitive experience in West Virginia high school sports.
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