Aurora, Colo. -- For 86 years, the Colorado High School Activities Association's has sanctioned high school athletics and the winter sports season practices began February 20.

Teams may hold their first scrimmage on March 3 and the first contests may begin on March 8. Girls' golf and girls' tennis teams may begin scrimmaging and playing on February 23.

The state baseball tournament is slated for 11, 12, 18 and 19, girls' lacrosse finishes up on May 15, boys' lacrosse on May 18, girls' soccer on May 19 (3A) and May 22 (4A, 5A), boys' swimming & diving on May 17-19, girls' tennis May 10-12, and boy's and girls' track & field on May 18-19. Girls' golf wraps up the spring season with championships on May 21-22.

(Please note that complete CHSAA championship schedules can be found at www.chsaa.org and then navigating to the sport you wish to see.)

In May, 1921, a group of superintendents and principals met in Boulder and organized the Colorado High School Athletic Conference. The purpose of this organization was to better regulate and develop the interscholastic school athletic program.

There were nine leagues by the time the first constitution was published, including the Northern, North Central, Western Slope, Suburban, Southeastern, Arkansas Valley, South Central and San Juan Basin leagues.

The first champions crowned that school year were Greeley in basketball, Colorado Springs in football and Fort Collins in track and field.

In 1924, the Colorado High School Athletic Conference joined the National Federation of State High School Associations and has remained an active member of that organization ever since.

Loveland's R.W. Truscott was the Association's first president and Eaton's J.C. Casey its first secretary (commissioner). Truscott replaced Casey as secretary in December, 1926 and held that post until July, 1948 when Glenn T. Wilson became commissioner. Ray C. Ball took over the commissioner's post in 1966 and remained in the office until August, 1986 when Ray Plutko assumed the duties. Bob Ottewill became the Association's sixth commissioner in July, 1990. Bill Reader assumed the reins in July 2002.

The CHSAA has had 53 presidents dating back to 1921. Its current president, McClave High School principal Randy Holmen is in his final year of a two-year term this year.

The Association enters the year with a new face on its administrative team, joining with five veterans. Tara McIntire, former athletic director at Faith Christian, joins the Association staff, replacing Judy Barnett, who retired. Rhonda Blanford-Green enters her 11th year years as an Assistant Commissioner with the Association. Associate Commissioner Paul Angelico is in his 18th year with the CHSAA. Assistant Commissioners Bert Borgmann, Tom Robinson and Chuck Howell are in their 19 th, 6 th and 5 th years, respectively, on the administrative staff.

Jeanne Ballentine serves as administrative assistant to Howell, while Patty Sonnleitner (Reader), Kim Rose (Paul Angelico), Lisa Cunningham Austin (Borgmann), Sharon Aguilar (Tara McIntire), Jane Boudreau (Rhonda Blanford-Green) and Monica Tillman (Robinson) work in concert with the other administrators. Bookkeeper Donna Welch remains on staff with the Association

Additional information follows on the chart listed on the next page.

Defending State Champions and First State Champions

* = Large school champion listed.

CHSAA Administrative Staff and Major Assignments

Bill Reader, Commissioner (Local Association Organization Committee, Executive Committee, Board of Control, Budget, Hardship Waivers, Handbook, Legislature, Personnel)

Paul Angelico, Assoc. Commissioner (Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Tennis, Wrestling, Foreign Waivers, Merchandise Sales, Directory)

Bert Borgmann, Asst. Commissioner (Baseball, Football, Music, Softball, Hall of Fame, Media Relations, Programs, Records/Championship Results)

Tara McIntire, Asst. Commissioner (Field Hockey, Speech, Swimming, Volleyball, Cooperative Programs, New Schools, Participation Survey, CADA/AD Liaison)

Rhonda Blanford-Green, Asst Commissioner (Cross Country, Ice Hockey, Skiing, Spirit, Track & Field, Corporate Relations, Equity/Title IX Coordinator, Recognition Programs, Academic Team/All-State)

Tom Robinson, Asst. Commissioner (Golf, Officials, Officials' Fees Committee, Sporting-like Behavior, Officials' Organizations)

Chuck Howell, Asst. Commissioner (Basketball, Student Council, Soccer, Coaching Registration, Playoff Sites)