Move from club to varsity status "would change everything" for lacrosse teams
More than 1,000 players are registered in HRLax's boys and girls divisions, which include varsity and junior varsity teams. Those public school lacrosse teams in Hampton Roads compete at the "club" level, and everything – postseason, administration and fundraising – is handled by about 200 volunteers. Coaches, statisticians and program managers are unpaid. Only A.J. Smith, the commissioner of the boys league, is considered a full-time employee.
The league's goal, though, is to follow Northern Virginia and a group of Richmond-area schools within the past 10 years and achieve VHSL recognition. The VHSL provides standards in the form of eligibility and bylaws, along with sanctioning championships at the region and state level.
