The Hudson School Board reviewed a proposal to create a new cooperative girls lacrosse team between Alvirne High School and Campbell High School.
Hudson Superintendent Dan Moulis explained that Alvirne High School Principal Steve Beals, Athletic Director Justin Hufft, and Campbell’s principal and athletic director have been in discussions about the potential partnership.
“This would help build both programs,” Moulis said during the meeting.
Hufft noted in a memo that the arrangement would mirror the hockey coop created earlier this year, as well as the recently approved girls hockey coop.
“Alvirne may join with the Campbell High School girls lacrosse team as part of a cooperative arrangement starting in the 2026–2027 spring season,” Hufft wrote.
He said Campbell initiated the conversation.
“Campbell had reached out inquiring about this possibility, and after discussing it among stakeholders here at Alvirne, we feel it could be a benefit to our student athletes,” Hufft explained. “Alvirne has had a girls lacrosse program since at least the 2016 season but has struggled to be competitive.”
Campbell’s program has been slightly more competitive, he said, but declining participation numbers have prompted them to seek a coop.
“Alvirne’s participation numbers have also decreased over recent years, with the program unable to field a junior varsity team the past few years,” Hufft said. “There are established procedures for cooperative teams through the NHIAA.”
Under the proposal, Alvirne would serve as the lead school, similar to the Alvirne-Milford ice hockey coop. Practices would primarily take place at Alvirne, with the option to hold some practices and possibly a game or two at Campbell.
“The proximity of the two schools should make this relatively smooth,” Hufft said. “Transportation to games would be provided by Alvirne as the lead school.”
Program expenses; including transportation, coaching stipends, officials’ fees, and NHIAA registration; would be shared between the two schools. Alvirne would pay the costs up-front and invoice Campbell for its share based on the percentage of student athletes on the team.
Hufft said hiring coaches and day-to-day operations would be handled by Alvirne athletics, in collaboration with Campbell administration. He noted that families had previously expressed interest in a coop, but the school had been unable to find a suitable partner until now.
“Providing female student athletes the opportunity to play with their gender peers has always been our goal in hockey, due to the physicality of the sport,” Hufft added.
The School Board voted to move forward with the proposed coop.