Contact: Melissa Salmanowitz | 202-535-1096

DCPS will realign its athletic conference within the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) to create and cultivate a more competitive and exciting conference

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) will realign its athletic conference within the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) to create and cultivate a more competitive and exciting conference. The updates will also create long-awaited parity within the DCIAA. The changes will go into effect for the 2013-2014 school year.

“We’ve heard from the community, from athletes and from families about the need for a restart in athletics,” said Stephanie Evans, DCPS director of athletics. “With the consolidation of Spingarn High School, and the longtime East/West divisions creating numerous challenges in scheduling, now is the right time for a fresh beginning.”

Twelve athletic directors, coaches and athletic office personnel worked together, along with consultation and leadership from Mayor Vincent C. Gray and DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson, to create the new structure within the DCIAA.

The biggest change will be in football with the creation of two new subdivisions.  With names created from the Washington, DC flag, the Stars Division will include Anacostia, Ballou, Coolidge, Dunbar, HD Woodson, and Wilson High Schools.  The Stripes Division will include Bell, Cardozo, Eastern, Phelps, McKinley Tech and Roosevelt High Schools.  Under the new format, both divisions will compete for a championship.  The Stars Division will compete in the annual Safeway Turkey Bowl, and the Stripes Division will compete in an inaugural football championship on November 23, 2013.  Winners of the Stripes Division will have the opportunity to petition to move up to the Stars Division.

“Having two subdivisions gives programs added value with schools that have never had the opportunity to compete for a championship in the old four team bracket,” said Evans. “Football is the anchor sport and the greatest athletic revenue generator for schools.  Our hope is that creating a power division in football will create new rivalries, quality games within both divisions, and increase fan and alumni support.”

All other sports will not have divisions.  They will compete as one league playing all other DCIAA teams at least once.