NIAA likely to put off realignment plan

High school realignment probably will have to wait a year.

Eddie Bonine, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association's executive director, sent a memo to superintendents, principals and board of control members Monday recommending that the board adopt a three-classification realignment for the 2010-11 school year. The board will meet June 16 and 17 in Reno.

Last month, the NIAA suggested a realignment plan that would reduce the current four classifications to three for next season.

"The schools want more time to plan for the changes in schedules and changes in leagues and want to have more input in the process," Bonine said. "It gives us time to iron out concerns anyone might have. In 2010-11, the finances will be a lot worse than anticipated."

Bonine has recommended the board approve for the 2009-10 season a regulation that would reduce the number of games a team can play. The reduction could cap football schedules at nine games. Basketball, baseball and softball would have game limits reduced to 18 plus two tournaments.

Basketball teams currently can play 20 games and two tournaments. Baseball and softball could have as many as six regular-season games eliminated.

"It was unanimous among the superintendents in the state that we make cuts in the game limits for next season," Bonine said.