The first installment of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s new competitive balance formula that accounts for both a school’s enrollment type coupled with postseason success, will officially take effect for next season.
The formula — called a success factor — awards points based on postseason success (1 point for a win in each state tournament round prior to a section final, 2 points for winning a section title, 3 points for winning a state semifinal, 4 points for winning a state title).
After those points are awarded, non-traditional public schools (charters, county magnet, open enrollment, tuition schools, etc.) that meet the success factor and have three or more non-resident athletes on their roster move up a group size for the next classification cycle.
Among the 14 football programs that met the success factor, six schools which were classified as non-traditional schools and accrued the required number of points based on the formula will move up a group size for the next classification cycle starting next season.
The six schools moving up are:
- Camden (Group 2 → Group 3)
- Cedar Creek (Group 3 → Group 4)
- Glassboro (Group 1 → Group 2)
- Shabazz (Group 2 → Group 3)
- Ramapo (Group 4 → Group 5)
- Phillipsburg (Group 4 → Group 5)
The competitive balance formula only applies to football and basketball, and the basketball success factor criteria will be reviewed after this season.
