Ed. — From the Sunday, April 30, print edition.
Dear Editor:
The Virginia High School League lacrosse season is now in full swing in Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The first two official games of this inaugural season were played at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex on Tuesday, March 28, featuring Ocean Lakes and Kempsville girls and boys.
I helped jumpstart renewed momentum for varsity lacrosse in 2016 when I served on the School Board, and I was a persistent, behind-the-scenes champion of this goal in partnership with former School Board chairperson and my colleague, Dan Edwards. It was much to my delight that the establishment of boys and girls VHSL lacrosse in all comprehensive city high schools received unanimous School Board support in November 2021.
Virginia Beach is the first public school district in South Hampton Roads to sponsor for all schools this fastest-growing sport in the country, and it is the first new VBCPS varsity-level sport in more than 25 years. (Boys and girls volleyball and swimming were added in the mid-90’s.)
For the hundreds who worked tirelessly over many years to make this a reality, their goal is now realized. I applaud the sustained commitment of the local Hampton Roads Lacrosse community over these past few decades, and, on a more focused basis, the last six years. This passionate group of parents, players and coaches were provided a road map, and ran with it by committing to the series of “hurdles” already established by VBCPS.
The division effort required to field 22 new varsity teams out of the gate cannot be overstated. Critical considerations included gauging level of interest across the division, financial cost, field capacity and the availability of coaches and local referee pool.
For example, to demonstrate sustainability, volunteer-managed club teams needed to expand to more schools, and those already in place had to remain intact. Also, the ongoing division initiative to add more field lighting and replace grass fields with up-to-date turf surfaces continues to expand field capacity for not only lacrosse, but other outdoor field sports as well. School Board approval was required for many of these interim capital improvement steps.
The support of Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence and his administrative team – in particular, Chief of Staff Don Robertson and division-wide coordinators for student activities David Rhodes, Jim Long (now retired) and Jim’s successor, John Cosimano – were critical to this outcome. Of equal importance was the league’s school-level partnership with each of our high school principals and student activities coordinators, some of whom have since retired as well. This model partnership, coupled with persistence that did not wane during the pandemic, ultimately convinced a willing School Board.
I encourage the public to consider catching a game or two this season to cheer on in support of our student-athletes. Regular season games continue through mid-May, and region playoffs begin on Friday, May 19.
Team schedules can be found on the Beach District page online via beachdistrictva.org.
— Carolyn Rye, Middle Plantation
Ed. — The author is a former chairperson and member of the School Board.
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