Kentucky HS athletics is defined by its unique single-class basketball tournament combined with strong football, baseball, and equestrian traditions. Lightning for Schools is built for KHSAA athletic directors: FERPA-compliant student-data handling, 10 included coach seats plus low-cost extras, and a recruiting portal integration matched to KY HS recruiting density.
Built for KHSAA
Governing Body
Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA)
Member-school eligibility rules, classification, and championship workflows shape what an athletic department needs from its software. Lightning for Schools is configured to support KHSAA-aligned workflows out of the box — not generic NFHS templates that don't map to your state's specifics. Reference:
www.khsaa.org.
Compliant with FERPA + Kentucky data protection standards
Student Data Privacy
FERPA + Kentucky data protection standards
Student-athlete records in Kentucky public schools are governed by FERPA plus Kentucky's data security and breach-notification requirements. Vendors handling KY student-athlete data must meet FERPA's third-party handling requirements. Lightning's data-handling practices are built to meet these requirements; a vendor that can't speak to your state's privacy framework should not be on your shortlist.
What Kentucky athletic directors actually deal with
- Kentucky's "Sweet 16" — single-class boys' and girls' basketball state tournaments where every school regardless of enrollment plays for one championship — is culturally unique in U.S. HS athletics and shapes how KHSAA basketball operates.
- Louisville-area football (Trinity, St. Xavier, Male) and Northern Kentucky (Beechwood, Highlands) produce SEC + power-conference recruiting density that small schools outside those metros don't see.
- Bowling is a sanctioned KHSAA sport (relatively rare nationally) requiring distinct facility coordination for ADs.
- KHSAA's "domicile" rules for transfer-student eligibility generate recurring review work, particularly in the Louisville and NKY metros where families cross county and state lines frequently.
What Lightning for Schools includes
10 coach seats included
Flat $150/yr base includes 10 full coach seats. Need more for a big multi-sport department? Add extra seats anytime at 50% of the coach-tier price.
Roster + eligibility
Per-sport, per-season roster management with eligibility tracking, transfer documentation, and out-of-season practice limits.
Recruiting portal integration
Your student-athletes' Lightning profiles roll into a searchable college-coach portal — recruiting attention without leaving the AD platform.
DPA-compliant data handling
Aligned with FERPA + Kentucky data protection standards requirements. Documentation available for your district's procurement review.
Stat verification
Coach Verified and Tournament Verified stats flow into the recruiting layer automatically. Reduces manual roster-update workload for AD staff.
Multi-season scheduling
Fall / winter / spring sport scheduling in one tool — facility allocation, transportation requests, official assignments.
Built for athletic departments across Kentucky
We're looking for our first partner departments in the state. If you're an AD in one of these areas and want to talk through a pilot:
Louisville metro
Lexington area
Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati metro)
Bowling Green area
Eastern Kentucky
Talk to Christian directly
I'm the founder. Kentucky athletic directors who want to talk through a pilot or just get specific questions answered can reach me directly: [email protected] or (443) 996-6563.