News Release: SPASH to Add Boys Lacrosse to Athletic Program
![SPASH SP Logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732564186/pointschoolsnet/s94yibqbgwso7nji6nys/SPASHSPLogoNoBackground.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732564186/pointschoolsnet/s94yibqbgwso7nji6nys/SPASHSPLogoNoBackground.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732564186/pointschoolsnet/s94yibqbgwso7nji6nys/SPASHSPLogoNoBackground.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1732564186/pointschoolsnet/s94yibqbgwso7nji6nys/SPASHSPLogoNoBackground.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1732564186/pointschoolsnet/s94yibqbgwso7nji6nys/SPASHSPLogoNoBackground.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1732564186/pointschoolsnet/s94yibqbgwso7nji6nys/SPASHSPLogoNoBackground.png","width":2200}])
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
SPASH
David Hauser, Director of Co-Curricular Athletics & Activities
1201 N. Point Drive
Stevens Point, WI
715-345-5442
Stevens Point Area Senior High Athletics
Announcement: Addition of Boys Lacrosse for the 2025-26 WIAA Tournament Series
The SPASH Athletic Department is excited to announce the addition of Boys Lacrosse WIAA Tournament Series athletic program.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin - The Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) Athletic Department is pleased to announce the inclusion of boys lacrosse in its offerings for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) tournament series. The last addition to the department's sports offerings occurred during the 2008-09 school year with the introduction of girls golf.
In December 2022, the WIAA Board of Control unanimously approved the proposal to add both boys and girls lacrosse to the Tournament Series, effective for the 2023-24 school year. This marks the first introduction of a completely new sport for both genders in the tournament series since the inclusion of boys and girls soccer in the 1982-83 school year. Although hockey and wrestling expanded to include girls' sponsorship in 2002 and 2022, respectively, and boys' volleyball was reinstated in 2000, these sports were already sanctioned for the opposite gender before these changes.
History of Lacrosse at SPASH
The boys' lacrosse program at SPASH began as a lettering club during the 2015-16 school year, operating as a spring club with an initial participation of 35-40 players. However, the program faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2024-25 school year, the district formally reviewed athletic programs alongside a student survey to gauge interest in all of the WIAA tournament series sports.
Given the positive response from the student body during the club's initial offering and the interest reflected in the recent survey, the Athletic Department presented a proposal to the School Board for the addition of boys' lacrosse for the 2025-26 school year.
The School Board approved this addition on March 10, 2025.
It is important to highlight that participation on this team will be open to both male and female athletes at SPASH. With the addition of boys lacrosse, SPASH will offer 24 of the 26 WIAA Tournament series sports, while currently lacking offerings in boys volleyball and girls lacrosse.
Statement from SPASH Director of Athletics
David Hauser, the Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities at SPASH, shared his thoughts on the recent addition of lacrosse to the WIAA tournament series and its inclusion in SPASH Athletics.
He stated, “First and foremost, I am truly excited about this enhancement to the sports offerings available to our student body. This not only presents an additional opportunity for student engagement but also reinforces the importance of school-based, education-focused athletics. As we strive to improve our athletic programs, we highlight the extensive benefits that participation can provide. We encourage our student-athletes to understand the expectations and responsibilities inherent in each of our programs. The primary objective of Education-Based Athletics is to foster human development and personal growth.”
Next Steps for the Program
The forthcoming steps for the boys lacrosse program will include hiring a coaching staff this spring, followed by player meetings to plan off-season activities. Additionally, the Athletic Department will seek conference affiliation and schedule games for the 2025-26 school year.