West Side Christian applies to compete in HCAA
West Side Christian School hopes to take a step up athletically as it has applied for membership in the Heartland Christian Athletic Association.
“We have applied to join the Heartland Christian Athletic Association,” West Side athletic director Randall Miller announced. “Based in Oklahoma, it has schools from Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas right now. It basically is a National Federation of High Schools accredited association. That will enable us to play public schools, which is a benefit for us.”
Several private schools in Arkansas already compete in the league, including West Side opponents Christian Ministries Academy of Hot Springs and Southwest Christian of Little Rock.
“We have applied. In speaking with the director, they have to take their official vote around the first of April. But he told me he doesn’t see any obstacles or roadblocks,” Miller said.
Heartland Christian Athletic Association has more than 50-plus schools. They are divided into three categories based on enrollment.
“By joining this association, we commit to playing in their postseason in whatever sports we offer. Right now, that’s volleyball, boys and girls basketball, track and golf,” said Miller. “The sites vary. Some of them are held in northwest Arkansas in Rogers, Siloam Springs, Fort Smith and then in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Basically, they rotate sites. That’ll be kind of fun, taking some time to travel to those state tournaments.”
Miller said once West Side Christian is accepted in the league, the scheduling for the 2019-2020 athletic seasons can commence. He hopes to add some area public schools to the schedule but doesn’t anticipate a drastic change immediately.
Volleyball could be the biggest challenge. Most small schools in the Arkansas Activities Association don’t offer volleyball.
Overall, Miller said there is excitement about the move. Both the Warriors and Lady Warriors won AACS State titles in basketball this past season.
“I just think the ability to compete on a playing field with public schools, I think it helps the credibility of what you’re trying to do,” he said. “I think it will benefit us from a competition standpoint, that we will be able to push our kids. Being able to compete with the best people that are out there is always going to be good for you.
“I think everybody is pretty excited about the opportunity.”
Miller cautioned, his players understand the challenges. West Side competed in the AAA during the 1999-2005 seasons. It will be a step up in competition that will require an adjustment period.
“We’re aware that we’re pretty small. It’s not like we’ll be able to suit up and play huge schools,” said Miller. “But, it will give us some flexibility of scheduling. And, if there are some schools around that are looking for some games to play locally, certainly we’d welcome those challenges.”
The coach believes the move could be beneficial to other area schools as well.
“Several of the coaches I’ve talked to have talked about how hard it is to find games. Having someone close that you can play, that’s going to show up and compete, just another team that will try to be competitive and give them a good, clean game,” he said.
“I know there are going to be some questions. ‘Can these guys show up and be competitive with us?’ We’ll have to prove ourselves in that respect. But, we’d just love the opportunity to prove that.”
Miller hopes the move to the league will be another progressive step for West Side.
“We always want to continue to grow in what we’re challenging our kids to do, whether it’s academically, whether it’s athletically, whether it’s character in ministry,” he said. “We don’t want to be stagnant. We want to keep pushing and keep growing. There’s always work to be done.”
In addition to Christian Ministries Academy and Southwest Christian, other schools in Arkansas that are members include: Arkansas Christian Academy (Bryant), Fayetteville Christian School, Garrett Memorial (Hope), Legacy Academy (DeQueen), Life Way Christian School (Centerton), Prism Education (Fayetteville), Providence Academy (Rogers), Union Christian Academy (Fort Smith) and The Montessori School of Fort Smith.