South Dakota High School Activities Association To Consider Success Factor

(7-29-26) The South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) Board of Directors will holds its Strategic Planning/Goal Setting Meeting for the 2026-27 school year at the SDHSAA office in Pierre on Wednesday, July 29.

Regarding the SDHSAA BOD Strategic Planning/Goal Setting Meeting, we now have more info on how many teams would change classes if a success factor model were in place

🏈would have the most teams switch classes compared to any other sport

ℹ️https://t.co/yChMxLsf77#SDPreps https://t.co/TCVldi40vp pic.twitter.com/KpMYcRmvT0

— Matt Kerney (@MattKerney) July 28, 2026

       Agenda  

Another goal held over from last year is studying the concept of using a success factor in sports classifications. Currently high school sports are classified by enrollment. A success factor would use a variety of factors to move teams up or down in classification.

https://x.com/mattkerney/status/2082157122138099919?s=46&t=2LFh041zXvA9zPWSAA5I_Q

In the past, the association established the framework for a committee, sought input from the committee and member schools and reviewed success factor models from around the country. 

SDHSAA Executive Director Dan Swartos said a success factor may be a way to-

“throw a lifeline to a program that’s drowning.”

In April of next year the association is due to present its findings to the board. If accepted by the board, adopting a success factor could lead to constitutional amendments or bylaw changes.