We’re halfway there.

Tennessee will become the 25th state to formally recognize or sanction high school lacrosse in 2020-2021, when the sport moves under the umbrella of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), which voted Tuesday to approve a proposal to add both boys’ and girls’ lacrosse to its lineup of sanctioned sports with the next classification cycle.

Legislative Council voted to approve a proposal to sanction the sport of Lacrosse for Boys and Girls beginning with the next classification cycle. This would be effective at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

— TSSAA (@tssaa) December 11, 2018

Lacrosse currently operates as a club sport managed by the Tennessee Scholastic Lacrosse Association, which shared the news of the TSSAA’s approval with its constituents in a newsletter Tuesday.

“The sanctioning of lacrosse in the state of Tennessee will further the progress and development of the sport, but above all else provide programs statewide the opportunity to be validated in the eyes of their school administrators and peers,” wrote Collin Welsh, president of the TSLA and boys’ lacrosse coach at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis. “This is a great day for our sport.”

It’s a great day for lacrosse in Tennessee! Thank you to the council for for approving our proposal. TSSAA sanctioning will bring profound growth to the Volunteer State! Special thanks to the many who worked diligently to make this happen! #growthegame https://t.co/UuKxH3Dph5

— TSLA Lacrosse (@TSLA_Lacrosse) December 12, 2018

In addition to recognition on high school campuses throughout the state, TSSAA sanctioning makes lacrosse a priority sport in terms of funding, field space and scheduling. Club sports often must cover the costs of equipment, travel, coaches, officials and other logistics entirely through independent fundraising and player dues.

The TSLA will continue to exist for players and teams who are unable to meet TSSAA regulations.

Lacrosse is fully sanctioned with state tournaments for both boys and girls in 23 states. Two other states have some level of formal recognition from the state governing association.

High School Lacrosse Sanctioning

California *
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri (girls only)**
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee (beginning in 2021)
Utah (beginning in 2020)
Vermont
Virginia

* Individual sections within the state can choose whether or not to sponsor the sport. Teams compete for section championships, but there is no statewide tournament.
** Formally recognized, one step below official sanctioning.

Ohio passed vote in 2015, began championship status in 2017.
Illinois passed vote in 2016, began championship status in 2018.
Utah passed vote in 2017, begins championship status in 2020.
Tennessee passed vote in 2018, begins championship status in 2021.