Louisiana Independent School Association
The Louisiana Independent School Association, more commonly known as LISA, was an agency, which regulated and promoted the interscholastic athletic competitions of private high schools in the state of Louisiana, mostly segregation academies.[1] The organization is no longer in existence.
History
Founded in response to dissatisfaction with the state of education in Louisiana and inequitable treatment of Private Schools by the LHSAA (Louisiana High School Athletic Association) the association consisted of College Prep Schools within the State and bordering areas. Racer Holstead one of the winningest coaches in Louisiana football history was the first Commisioner of the Association and laid the groundwork for direction in the early years. The schools competed in two divisions A and AA according to enrollment and districts arranged by geography and traditional rivalries. Championships were decided by a tournament playoff system with seeds based upon record and in district competition in team sports and head to head competition in track and field. Post season All Star Games were held in football and basketball featuring top senior athletes composed of teams from the north and southern portion of the state as voted by coaches within the association.
The association was a starting point and final destination for a number of the most well respected coaches in the secondary and college level who in turn developed many athletes who excelled beyond high school. They included Racer Holstead Tallulah High School and Tallulah Academy
William "Hoss" Newman Trinity Heights Academy
Frank Scelfo Prairie View Academy, River Oaks School, Tulane offensive coordinator, Arizona State
Tommy Joe Eagles Cedar Creek School, Louisiana Tech University Head Coach, Auburn Head Coach
Chick Childress Cedar Creek School, Ruston High School, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Larry Dautrieve Riverside Academy, East Jefferson
A.L.Williams Woodlawn High School, Northwestern State. Louisiana Tech University, Cedar Creek School
Billy Weeks Louisiana Tech University Hall of Fame Basketball, Southfield School, Plain Dealing Academy
Wayne Smith player at Trinity Heights Christian Academy, player at Louisiana Tech University, coach at Trinity Heights Christian Academy
Among several others who continue the tradition of excellent coaching throughout the state.
In the relatively short history of L.I.S.A. many notable athletes excelled in the college ranks and professional ranks as well.
Kevin Duhe Riverside Academy NLU punter on national champion squad, voter on Heisman Trophy Award Foundation
Tag Rome Cedar Creek School, NLU, later coach on staff
Chris Tilley Friendship Academy, Southfield School, Louisiana Tech, offensive coordinator for Evangel Christian
David Caldwell Cedar Creek, Ole Miss letterman at two positions
Greg Smith Trinity Heights Christian Academy, Centenary basketball
Wayne Smith Trinity Heights Christian Academy, Louisiana Tech basketball
Tommy Jackson River Oaks School, NLU 1987 National Championship Team
Mark Brown Friendship Academy. Louisiana Tech University Track 400 meters indoor champion
Bobby Craighead River Oaks School, NLU, USFL
Charlie Matthews Calvary Baptist, Northwestern State
Michael Moore Friendship Academy, Louisiana Tech
Taylor Bunch Silliman Institute, Mississippi State
Gene Johnson River Oaks School, Louisiana Tech University
Kevin Toms Riverdale basketball, NLU
Ray Hamby Ridgedale Academy football, Delta State
Bobby Butler Claiborne Academy football
Doug McKellar Plain Dealing Academy, Louisiana Tech track
In addition to numerous other athletes in the Association who played their respective sport at the collegiate level
The oil crunch of the mid 1980s hit private schools hard drying up funding from private individuals and companies throughout the state. Much like public schools dwindling resources served to pressure Association schools forcing the closing of several within this time period. As schools closed it became more difficult to schedule games for the remaining schools many of whom joined either the LHSAA ranks or MPSA. Following the 1990-1991 school year it was decided to disband the organization. Former schools however continued to excel and in some cases dominate competition in their new environs continuing the tradition started when in L.I.S.A.
Parkview Baptist a charter L.I.S.A. member has won 4 football championships as well as 11 baseball in the LHSAA. With athletes Lyle Hitt, Darry Beckwith and others playing in college
Calvary Baptist Academy has won championships in both L.I.S.A. and LHSAA in football and baseball the latest two in football within the Select Playoff Divison created by public schools who felt private ones had an unfair advantage.
Cedar Creek School, Riverside Academy, Silliman Institute, Central Private, Cedar Creek School, Bowling Green, Belmont Academy, Riverdale, Claiborne Academy, Glen Brook, Plain Dealing Academy, and Trinity Heights all can claim state titles within their new leagues as well.
Organization
LISA was made up of several College Prep Academies within Louisiana
LISA’s competitive sports programs included Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Cross Country, Outdoor track and field, and Football.
L.I.S.A. for number of athletes participating had a higher percentage of College players than the other state organizations
L.I.S.A. Standards for Academic achievement to remain eligible were a 2.5 average and the average ACT scores of Association Athletes was 26 percent higher than the other state athletic organizations
Former Member Schools
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References
- ↑ United States. Congress. House. Committee on Ways and Means. Subcommittee on Oversight (1979). Tax-exempt status of private schools: hearings before the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, first session .... U.S. Govt. Print. Off. p. 184. Retrieved 6 September 2012.