By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School embarked upon high-school athletics this year. The 2013-14 school year is the first for the school with high-school aged kids, and currently only goes up to 10th grade. This year’s Lighthouse sophomores have or will compete in all high-school sports except for football, though they aren’t eligible for postseason play since they aren’t officially in an Arkansas High School Activities Association appointed conference.
The golf and tennis teams just finished their season, and the volleyball team hosts its first home match Thursday at the Jacksonville Community Center.
“We got started in the middle of the two-year cycle that the Arkansas Activities Association has to realign classifications and conferences,” said Jackson-ille Lighthouse athletic director Brad Burl. “Next year they will do another realignment and we’ll be placed in a conference then.”
Burl didn’t know exactly what Lighthouse High School’s enrollment will be, but said he expects to be placed in a 1A or 2A conference.
The AHSAA counts enrollment from grades nine through 11 in determining classifications.
This year’s sophomores will be the first junior class next year, and the first senior and graduating class in school history in two years.
This year’s athletic season has been, and will be, a tough one on the record books, with only sophomores competing, but Burl says the future can be bright athletically.
“We’re at a disadvantage right now, but we hope to build a strong program,” Burl said. “We just want people to know all the things we have to offer.”
The school’s gymnasium is only in the planning stages, but Burl hopes one can be complete by the time the teams begin officially participating as an AHSAA sanctioned member.
This year, Lighthouse offers golf, tennis, volleyball, boys and girls basketball, football, softball and boys and girls soccer. They also have a cheer and dance program.
The school is currently cooperating with the city of Jacksonville for playing venues.
“Right now we’re playing mostly as the visiting team,” Burl said. “But we’ve coordinated with the Jacksonville Community Center for some home games in volleyball and basketball. And the Parks and Rec department has helped us with some of the spring sports. We’ve been very blessed with the support we’ve had from the city. They’ve been outstanding to us and we’re very grateful.”
The teams are coached by certified coaches, though there are openings available.
“If there are any certified coaches out there interested in helping build a program, we’d love to talk to them,” Burl said.
A football team is not in the immediate plans, but Burl said that is something they hope to attain down the line.
“Football requires such a huge up front investment, and we’re still a growing school,” Burl said. “We’ve grown every year and hope to continue to grow, but it’s a step at a time. We’ve got a plan, where as we grow, those kinds of things will start happening.”
The Lighthouse varsity volleyball team will begin play at approximately 6 p.m.
