The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) recently held its annual Principals’ Convention.

Patrick Lindsey, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Red River High School, left Baton Rouge with some new hardware.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Directors Association selected him as the 2024-2025 Athletic Director of the Year for District V. District V is the largest in the state and includes 31 parishes across northern Louisiana. All schools in District V voted on AD of the Year.

Lindsey was nominated by Anthony Tisdale, Caddo Parish Public Schools Director of Athletics.
Before coming to Red River, Lindsey worked in Caddo, where he served as athletic director, Head Girls’ Basketball Coach, and administrator at several schools.

Tisdale shared that he nominated Lindsey because of his great work in Caddo, which he is continuing to do in Red River. He also praised Lindsey for his immaculate paperwork and organized record-keeping.

Lindsey shared, “I am so blessed, honored, and humbled to win such an award as Athletic Director of the Year for District V, the largest district in the State of Louisiana. It could not have come at a better time than now when I work for the BEST school board in the state and the BEST Superintendent, Mrs. Alison Strong. I would like to thank Mr. Picou and Mrs. McDonald for having faith and confidence in me and allowing me to oversee our second-to-none Athletic Department. In the infamous words of the Great John Thompson, the former Head Coach of the Georgetown Hoyas, I came here as a shadow, so I want my works to speak for me!”

Red River High students were excited, but not surprised, to hear about Lindsey’s selection. Rihanna Wilson shared, “Mr. Lindsey has a great, strong personality, and he understands his students very well.”

Shamiya Henderson added, “His leadership inspires students and staff to strive for excellence every day.”

“He is a peacemaker. His dedication and wisdom create a supportive and welcoming environment. We deeply appreciate his positive influence!” said Fa’Dasia Demery

Other convention news includes several proposals that member school principals voted on.
One of the hot topics was allowing student-athletes to transfer schools once without having to sit out or lose eligibility. A whopping 273-66 vote rejected the proposal.

Another stemmed from this past football season, when a school filed a lawsuit against the LHSAA, almost delaying the start of the playoffs. The proposal was approved by a 180-159 margin. Beginning with the 2025-2026 season, schools filing lawsuits against the LHSAA may not participate in postseason play or be placed on the bracket in the sport being litigated. Schools could also be slapped with a possible two-year suspension. Any school that legally challenges a ruling must first remove itself from LHSAA membership.

Member principals also passed a proposal stipulating that any legal action must be filed in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish, where the LHSAA office is located.

In other proposals, principals voted to delay the start of baseball season (taking effect in 2028), which in turn extends it to later in May or possibly early June to stagger the time between basketball season and baseball season.

Approved by unanimous vote, 202-0, was a golf proposal (taking effect in 2026) aligning district, regional, and state scoring. Players will now pick up their ball after their ninth stroke and take a ten on the scorecard for that hole.

Principals voted to adjust the playoff bracket sizes for Class B and Class C in basketball, baseball, and softball. Class B brackets will have 20 playoff teams in all three sports, while Class C schools will have 20 playoff teams for baseball and softball and 16 teams for basketball.

Eddie Bonine, LHSAA Executive Director, shared that 22 proposals passed, 12 of which came from the LHSAA Executive Committee. See the press conference here.