Nevada High Schools Secede from State Association Over Competitive Imbalance

Clark County principals cite unfair rules and eligibility requirements for private schools as reason for departure

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:20pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a high school football game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and red representing the complex dynamics between public and private schools.A cubist interpretation of the competitive imbalance between public and private high school sports programs in Nevada.

Around 30 Clark County School District (CCSD) high schools in Nevada have informed the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) of their intent to go independent for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. The CCSD principals cite long-standing frustrations over the disparities in transfer rules and eligibility requirements between public and private schools, which they say have created an unfair competitive environment, especially when facing powerhouse programs like Bishop Gorman.

Why it matters

The decision by the CCSD schools to leave the NIAA highlights the ongoing tensions between public and private high school sports programs in Nevada. It raises questions about the fairness of the state's athletic association rules and whether they adequately address competitive imbalances, particularly in football where private schools like Bishop Gorman have dominated their public school counterparts.

The details

The CCSD schools, which include Class 5A and 4A programs, decided to exit the NIAA in order to avoid having to play neighboring private schools like Bishop Gorman and Faith Lutheran. CCSD officials say the disparities in transfer rules and eligibility requirements have created an environment that is no longer equitable or safe for their student-athletes. By going independent, the CCSD schools hope to curate their own schedules and restore competitive balance.

  • The CCSD schools informed the NIAA of their intent to go independent for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.

The players

Keith Wipperman

Principal of Centennial High School in Nevada.

Kevin McPartlin

Associate Superintendent of the CCSD Education Services Division.

Rich Muraco

Co-athletic director and head football coach at Liberty High School.

Christina Brockett

Principal of Eldorado High School.

Bishop Gorman

A private high school in Nevada that is one of the country's top prep football programs.

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What they’re saying

“It's been pretty frustrating. We feel like this has been a problem for a long time. We wanted fairness and equity in the rules, and that was just falling on deaf ears.”

— Keith Wipperman, Principal, Centennial High School

“The Clark County School District (CCSD) supports the decision made by all of our 4A and 5A high school principals to transition their football programs to independent status for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Principals made this decision to stand up for their student-athletes who were playing at a disadvantage.”

— Kevin McPartlin, Associate Superintendent, CCSD Education Services Division

“When people start looking at what we have to play by as CCSD (schools) and what Gorman and the charter schools get to play by, are two different sets of rules. It's not right. We're playing for the same trophy under completely different sets of rules and different sets of advantages and disadvantages.”

— Rich Muraco, Co-athletic director and head football coach, Liberty High School

“Within the next couple of years, I hope to see a competitive balance when schedules are created.”

— Christina Brockett, Principal, Eldorado High School

What’s next

The CCSD schools will play independently for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, after which they hope to work with all stakeholders to find a long-term, statewide solution that restores competitive balance for all Nevada student-athletes.

The takeaway

This decision by the CCSD schools highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving fairness and equity in high school sports, especially when private schools with different rules and resources are able to dominate their public school counterparts. It will be important to see if this move leads to meaningful reforms in Nevada's athletic association policies.