IHSAA adds soccer class

DES MOINES — The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control met on Friday, Dec. 16 and approved the addition of another soccer classification ahead of the spring 2023.

Class 4A will be added to the soccer slate in 2023.

Soccer will be added as a IHSAA sport along with baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf and track and field.

The two-time recommendation from the soccer advisory committee passed the notion to create classifications with fewer schools and closer enrollment totals for a sport that has shown consistent growth since becoming an IHSAA sanctioned sport in 1994-94 the IHSAA said.

“With the growth of soccer, particularly in our smaller schools, adding an additional class will reduce the disparity in enrollment in each class, providing for a more competitive season and state tournament series,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said. “We anticipate the additional class will encourage even more schools to join one of our fastest growing sports.”

Soccer has seen an large jump in participation since its arrival in the IHSAA.

In 2022 alone, IHSAA soccer saw 172 participating teams across three separate classes. There were 48 teams in Class 3A, 56 in Class 2A and 68 in Class 1A.

When it debuted in 1994-95, the sport had just 79 schools. In 1998, a second class was added and in 2009 a third with 143 total schools.

Soccer had over 6,000 boys’ participants for six consecutive springs before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 season.

“The action taken by our board supports the similar approval of an additional class of football two years ago,” IHSAA assistant director and soccer administrator Todd Tharp said. “This can encourage more schools to support the sport, add excitement to the game for student-athletes and their communities, and acknowledges the work done by our members to consistently grow a sport that requires great student-athlete buy-in, with 11 players on the field and even more on the sidelines to build these programs.”

For 2023, IHSAA soccer will feature:

Class 4A: Largest 36 schools

Class 3A: Next 40 schools

Class 2A: Next 48 schools

Class 1A: Remaining schools

Postseason schedules and assignments were also recommended for an adjustment by the advisory committee, which will be installed alongside the new classification the IHSAA said.

Similar to basketball in 2022-23, soccer will receive substate brackets closer to the postseason.

This is currently planned for the week of May 8 (NFHS calendar Week 45).

The substate assignments and pairings separately released in previous years will be bumped in favor of a later bracket.

This will allow more regular season contests to factor into postseason seedings and matchups.

2023 Postseason Schedule

Monday, May 15: Class 2A and Class 1A, substate first round

Tuesday, May 16: Class 4A and Class 3A, substate first round

Monday, May 22: All classes, substate second round

Wednesday, May 24: All classes, substate final

Tuesday, May 30: All classes, quarterfinals

Thursday, June 1: All classes, semifinals

Saturday, June 3: All classes, finals