New Mexico HS athletics runs through NMAA's District + Class two-axis structure where the same school can be in different districts and classes across sports. Six-man football lives in the smallest classes. Lightning for Schools is built for NMAA athletic directors: FERPA + NMAC 6.19.5-aligned student-data handling and pricing with 10 included coach seats plus low-cost extras.
Built for NMAA
Governing Body
New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA)
Member-school eligibility rules, classification, and championship workflows shape what an athletic department needs from its software. Lightning for Schools is configured to support NMAA-aligned workflows out of the box — not generic NFHS templates that don't map to your state's specifics. Reference:
www.nmact.org.
Compliant with FERPA + NMAC 6.19.5 (Student Information Systems) + NMSA 1978 §22-2-2L
Student Data Privacy
FERPA + NMAC 6.19.5 (Student Information Systems) + NMSA 1978 §22-2-2L
New Mexico does not have a dedicated SOPIPA-equivalent statute. Student-record privacy in NM public schools is governed by FERPA layered with NMAC 6.19.5 (Student Information Systems regulation under the Public Education Department) and NMSA 1978 §22-2-2L, which gives the PED authority over activity associations and requires compliance with the NM Open Meetings Act and Public Records Act. 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 New Mexico athletic directors actually deal with
- NMAA uses a two-axis classification: schools are placed in a District (1 through 9) AND a Class (1A through 6A), often written as "5-3A" meaning District 5 / Class 3A. A school may compete in different districts and classes across different sports — adds operational complexity ADs in single-axis states do not face.
- Albuquerque metro is the dominant recruiting cluster — UNM and NM State football pull statewide attention, but the deeper D1 pipeline runs to Texas + Pac-12-successor programs via showcases and AAU.
- Six-man football is sanctioned in NMAA's smallest classifications — small-school programs in Eastern NM and the Bootheel run a different sport operationally from 11-man programs in Albuquerque.
- NM relies on FERPA + NMAC 6.19.5 (Student Information Systems) for student data privacy rather than a dedicated state SOPIPA statute. Vendors should plan compliance to the FERPA baseline plus NM Public Education Department guidance.
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 + NMAC 6.19.5 (Student Information Systems) + NMSA 1978 §22-2-2L 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 New Mexico
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:
Albuquerque metro
Las Cruces / Doña Ana County
Santa Fe
Rio Rancho / Sandoval
Roswell / Eastern NM
Farmington / Four Corners
Talk to Christian directly
I'm the founder. New Mexico 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.