2024-25 MSHSAA2024-25 MSHSAA
Official HandbookOfficial Handbook
ConstitutionConstitution
By-LawsBy-Laws
Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers
Board of Directors PoliciesBoard of Directors Policies
HandbookHandbook
OfficialOfficial
96th Edition, July 202496th Edition, July 2024
MSHSAA STANDARDIZED CALENDAR
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK
NO. 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028 Seasonal Allowance
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1 7/7—7/13 7/6—7/12 7/5—7/11 7/4—7/10
2 7/14—7/20 7/13—7/19 7/12—7/18 7/11—7/17
3 721—7/27 7/20—7/26 7/19—7/25 7/18—7/24
4 7/28—8/3 7/27—8/2 7/26—8/1 7/25—7/31
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5 8/4—8/10 8/3—8/9 8/2—8/8 8/1—8/7
6 8/11—8/17 8/10—8/16 8/9—8/15 8/8—8/14 Mon. - 1st Practice Fall Season HS Sports
7 8/18—8/24 8/17—8/23 8/16—8/22 8/15—8/21 Mon. - 1st Practice Jr. H. Sports
8 8/25—8/31 8/24—8/30 8/23—8/29 8/22—8/28 Thurs. - 1st Contest Fall Season HS Sports
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9 9/1—9/7 8/31—9/6 8/30—9/5 8/29—9/4 Wed. - 1st Contest Jr. H. Sports
10 9/8—9/14 9/7—9/13 9/6—9/12 9/5—9/11 Mon. - Start of HS Period 1: OOSP(W) / OF(S)
11 9/15—9/21 9/14—9/20 9/13—9/19 9/12—9/18
12 9/22—9/28 9/21—9/27 9/20—9/26 9/19—9/25
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13 9/29—10/5 9/28—10/4 9/27 —10/3 9/26—10/2
14 10/6—10/12 10/5—10/11 10/4—10/10 10/3—10/9 Fri. - 1st Contest for Speech and Scholar Bowl
15 10/13—10/19 10/12—10/18 10/11—10/17 10/10—10/16
16 10/20—10/26 10/19—10/25 10/18—10/24 10/17—10/23 Fri. - End of HS Period 1: OOSP(W) / OF(S)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17 10/27—11/2 10/26—11/1 10/25—10/31 10/24—10/30
18 11/3—11/9 11/2—11/8 11/1—11/7 10/31—11/6 Mon. - 1st Practice Girls Wrestling and Basketball - HS
19 11/10—11/16 11/9—11/15 11/8—11/14 11/7—11/13 Mon. - 1st Practice Girls Swimming and Boys Wrestling - HS
20 11/17—11/23 11/16—11/22 11/15—11/21 11/14—11/20 Thurs. - 1st Contest Girls Wrestling and Basketball - HS
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
21 11/24—11/30* 11/23—11/29* 11/22—11/28* 11/21—11/27 Thurs. - 1st Contest Girls Swimming and Boys Wrestling - HS
22 12/1—12/7 11/30—12/6 11/29—12/5 11/28—12/4
23 12/8—12/14 12/7—12/13 12/6—12/12 12/5—12/11
24 12/15—12/21 12/14—12/20 12/13—12/19 12/12—12/18
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
25 12/22—12/28 12/21—12/27 12/20—12/26 12/19—12/25
26 12/29—1/4 12/28—1/3 12/27—1/2 12/26—1/1
27 1/5—1/11 1/4—1/10 1/3—1/9 1/2—1/8 Mon. - Start of HS Period 2: OOSP(S) / OF(F)
28 1/12—1/18 1/11—1/17 1/10—1/16 1/9—1/15
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
29 1/19—1/25 1/18—1/24 1/17—1/23 1/16—1/22
30 1/26—2/1 1/25—1/31 1/24—1/30 1/23—1/29
31 2/2—2/8 2/1—2/7 1/31—2/6 1/30—2/5
32 2/9—2/15 2/8—2/14 2/7—2/13 2/6—2/12
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
33 2/16—2/22 2/15—2/21 2/14—2/20 2/13—2/19 Fri. - End of HS Period 2: OOSP(S) / OF(F)
34 2/23—3/1 2/22—2/28 2/21—2/27 2/20—2/26
35 3/2—3/8 3/1—3/7 2/28—3/6 2/27—3/4 Mon. - 1st Practice Spring Season HS Sports
36 3/9—3/15 3/8—3/14 3/7—3/13 3/5—3/11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
37 3/16—3/22 3/15—3/21 3/14—3/20 3/12—3/18 Thurs.- 1st Contest Spring Season HS Sports
38 3/23—3/29 3/22—3/28 3/21—3/27 3/19—3/25
39 3/30—4/5 3/29—4/4 3/28—4/3 3/26—4/1 Mon. - Start of HS Period 3: OOSP(F) / OF(W)
40 4/6—4/12 4/5—4/11 4/4—4/10 4/2—4/8
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
41 4/13—4/19 4/12—4/18 4/11—4/17 4/9—4/15
42 4/20—4/26 4/19—4/25 4/18—4/24 4/16—4/22
43 4/27—5/3 4/26—5/2 4/25—5/1 4/23—4/29
44 5/4—5/10 5/3—5/9 5/2—5/8 4/30—5/6
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
45 5/11—5/17 5/10—5/16 5/9—5/15 5/7—5/13 Fri. - End of HS Period 3: OOSP(F) / OF(W)
46 5/18—5/24 5/17—5/23 5/16—5/22 5/14—5/20
47 5/25—5/31 5/24—5/30 5/23—5/29 5/21—5/27
48 6/1—6/7 5/31—6/6 5/30—6/5 5/28—6/3
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
49 6/8—6/14 6/7—6/13 6/6—6/12 6/4—6/10
50 6/15—6/21 6/14—6/20 6/13—6/19 6/11—6/17
51 6/22—6/28 6/21—6/27 6/20—6/26 6/18—6/24
52 6/29—7/5 6/28—7/4 6/27—7/3 6/25—7/1
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note 1: A calendar week begins with Sunday and ends the following Saturday.
Note 2: The rst week of the standardized calendar is always the rst full week of July beginning on Sunday through Saturday.
*Thanksgiving Week
OOSP = Out-of-Season Practice OF = Open Facility W = Winter; F = Fall; S = Spring
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 1
2024-2025
Ofcial
Handbook
of the
Missouri State High School
Activities Association
Member,
National Federation of State
High School Associations
July 2024
Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, MSHSAA Executive Director
MSHSAA OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION
STREET ADDRESS: 1 N. Keene St., Columbia, MO 65201
MAILING ADDRESS: PO Box 1328, Columbia, MO 65205-1328
TELEPHONE: (573) 875-4880 FAX: (573) 875-1450
WEBSITE: www.mshsaa.org E-MAIL: [email protected]
Page 2 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
MSHSAA HANDBOOK FORMAT:
Section Structure for By-Laws:
The Official Handbook organizes the by-laws into SIX SECTIONS following the Constitution. Activity infor-
mation and athletic information is grouped for ease of access. Common by-laws are grouped to decrease
duplication of information.
Section 1: School Essential By-Laws
Section 2: Student Essential By-Laws
Section 3: Athletics By-Laws
Section 4: Activities By-Laws
Section 5: Procedural By-Laws
Section 6: Registered Officials
Decimal Numbering System:
The Official Handbook utilizes a decimal numbering system for the by-laws, which provides efficiency and
flexibility. A particular by-law number signifies three things: the SECTION, the SUBSECTION, and the PART.
For example, By-Law 3.15.5 can be found in Section 3 (Athletic Activity By-Laws), Subsection 15 (Sport
Participation and Contact - During the Summer), Part 5 (General Requirements). Further subsections are
denoted using, first, letters, then numbers, then parenthetical letters, etc. [for example: By-Law 3.13.2.a.2(c)].
Section and subsection headings assist the user in identifying the section and subsection content, thus facili-
tating ready access to pertinent by-laws.
Handbook Updates:
New wording within the Handbook is underlined, and areas of emphasis are in bold text. Diagrams are in-
cluded for informational and reference purposes only and are not part of the by-laws they serve to summarize.
Editorial and formatting changes are not underlined.
INTRO & INFO
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 3
MSHSAA MEMBERSHIP DISTRICT MAP
(MSHSAA Constitution, Article IV, Section 1.a)
1 - Southeast
2 - Southwest
3 - Northeast
4 - Northwest
5 - Central
6 - South Central
7 - St. Louis
8 - Kansas City
Regions
2
1
3
4
5
6
7
8
Page 4 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
MSHSAA Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
DR. JOSH HOENER, Superintendent
New Haven School District
South Central District
Term Expires July, 2026
VICE-PRESIDENT
MR. JOSH SCOTT, District Athletic Director
Springfield Public Schools
Southwest District
Term Expires July, 2027
DR. ROCHEL DANIELS, Superintendent
Kansas City 33 School District
Kansas City District
Term Expires July, 2026
MR. KEVIN SMITH, Superintendent
Lincoln School District
Central District
Term Expires July, 2025
MR. MARK LINNEMAN, Director of Athletics/Activities
Lutheran South High School
St. Louis District
Term Expires July, 2025
MR. KOREY MILES, Superintendent
Mound City R-2 School Districts
Northwest District
Term Expires July, 2028
MR. CRAIG GIBBS, Principal
Valle Catholic High School
Southeast District
Term Expires July, 2027
MR. DAVID JONES, Principal
Parkway North High School
At-Large - Region 1
Term Expires July, 2027
MRS. SARA WILLIAMS, Activities Director
Kirksville High School
At-Large - Region 2
Term Expires July, 2025
DR. MATT SMITH, Superintendent
Paris R-II School District
Northeast District
Term Expires July, 2028
INTRO & INFO
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 5
MSHSAA Staff
Sport & Activity Programming Communications
Accounting
Operations
Dr. Jennifer Rukstad
Executive Director
Stacy Schroeder
Senior Associate Executive Director
Sport and Activity Programming
Craig Long
Chief Financial/Operations Ofcer
Communications, Accounting, and Operations
John Pasquet
Web Developer
Charla Boggs
Assistant to Dr. Rukstad
and Stacy Schroeder
Michaelle Fohey
Receptionist
Toni Hill
Associate Executive
Director
James Melton
Associate Executive
Director
Lou Mazzocco
Assistant Executive
Director
Doug Fessler
Assistant Executive
Director
Marty M. Marsh
Assistant Executive
Director
Daryl Bradley
Assistant Executive
Director
Stephanie Turner
Coordinator of Sports
& Activities
Samantha Lavy
Ofcials Program &
Championship Asst.
Leyanna Long
Championship
Assistant
Janel Twehous
Championship
Assistant
Stacey Carr
Championship
Assistant
Steve Evers
Championship
Assistant
Dianna Johnson
Championship
Assistant
Andrew Kauffman
Communications
Director
Jennifer Bethmann
Coordinator for
Digital Media
Scott Lunte
Communications
Assistant
Audrey Stokes
Graphic Design
Stacey Slaughter
Coordinator for
Accounting Services
Katy Hays
Accounting Assistant
Rachel Kammerich
Ofce Assistant
Jim Guffey
Building and Grounds
Becky Hoyt
Operations Assistant
Page 6 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MSHSAA Standardized Calendar ...................................................................... Inside Front Cover
Handbook Format ..........................................................................................................................2
MSHSAA Board District Map .........................................................................................................3
MSHSAA Board of Directors..........................................................................................................4
MSHSAA Staff ..............................................................................................................................5
Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................6
Summary of Changes to MSHSAA Constitution and By-Laws ......................................................9
Dates to Remember ....................................................................................................................10
New Questions and Answers for 2024-25 ...................................................................................11
History of the Association ............................................................................................................12
Constitution of MSHSAA..............................................................................................................16
Article I - Name ................................................................................................................17
Article II - Philosophy and Objectives ..............................................................................17
Article III - Membership and Affiliate Registered Schools ................................................18
Article IV - Organization and Administration ....................................................................21
Article V - Finance ...........................................................................................................24
Article VI - Amendments ..................................................................................................24
By-Laws of MSHSAA ...................................................................................................................27
Section 1: School Essential By-Laws .............................................................................28
1.1 - Competition by Member Schools .................................................................29
1.2 - Enforcement of Constitution and By-Laws ...................................................30
1.3 - School Personnel .........................................................................................31
1.4 - Cooperative Sponsorships ........................................................................... 31
1.5 - Summertime Dead Period ...........................................................................33
1.6 - New Athletic/Activities Director Training ......................................................36
1.7 - Heat Acclimatization ....................................................................................36
Section 2: Student Essential By-Laws .............................................................................38
2.1 - Student Essential By-Laws - Introduction and Definitions ...........................39
2.2 - Citizenship Requirements ............................................................................40
2.3 - Academic Requirements ..............................................................................43
2.4 - Semesters of Eligibility to Participate ........................................................... 48
2.5 - Entering and Withdrawing From School ......................................................49
2.6 - Undue Influence ...........................................................................................50
2.7 - Violation of By-Laws ....................................................................................51
2.8 - Assumed Name ...........................................................................................51
2.9 - Local School Requirements .........................................................................51
2.10 - Post High School Graduates .....................................................................51
2.11 - Special Provisions for MSB and MSD ........................................................51
2.12 - Pre-Participation Documentation Requirements ........................................52
Section 3: Athletics By-Laws ............................................................................................53
3.1 - Requirements for Athletics Coaches ............................................................55
3.2 - National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) .................58
3.3 - Student Eligibility Requirements for Athletics ..............................................58
3.4 - Certification of Eligibility ...............................................................................59
3.5 - Essential Age Requirements ........................................................................59
3.6 - Amateurism and Benefits .............................................................................60
3.7 - Parental Permission .....................................................................................64
3.8 - Physical Exams and Healthcare Coverage .................................................64
INTRO & INFO
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.9 - Conditioning Requirements .........................................................................65
3.10 - Residence and Transfer Requirements .....................................................66
3.11 - College/University-Conducted Events .......................................................71
3.12 - School District Events and Programs ........................................................72
3.13 - Sport Participation and Contact - While Participating in an
Interscholastic Sport Season During the School Year ...............................72
3.14 - Sport Participation and Contact - When Not Participating in an
Interscholastic Sport Season During the School Year ...............................77
3.15 - Sport Participation and Contact - During the Summer ...............................80
3.16 - Athletics Definitions .................................................................................... 85
3.17 - Initiating Contests ......................................................................................87
3.18 - Tournament, Meet, and Multiple-Game Event Sanction Regulations ........87
3.19 - Limits on Competition ................................................................................88
3.20 - Provisions for Girls and Boys Programs ....................................................89
3.21 - Basketball Regulations ..............................................................................89
3.22 - Baseball and Softball Regulations .............................................................90
3.23 - Football Regulations ..................................................................................91
3.24 - Soccer Regulations .................................................................................... 91
3.25 - Volleyball Regulations ................................................................................91
3.26 - Wrestling Regulations ................................................................................92
3.27 - Swimming and Diving Regulations ............................................................92
3.28 - Tennis Regulations ....................................................................................92
3.29 - Senior High School Sports Seasons and Contest Limitations ...................93
3.30 - Junior High School Sports Seasons and Contest Limitations ....................96
Section 4: Activities By-Laws ..........................................................................................98
4.1 - Common Requirements for All Activities in This Section .............................99
4.2 - Music .........................................................................................................101
4.3 - Speech/Debate ..........................................................................................104
4.4 - Scholar Bowl ..............................................................................................106
4.5 - Spirit [Sideline Cheer and Dance Teams] ..................................................106
4.6 - Theatre ......................................................................................................108
Section 5: Procedural By-Laws ......................................................................................110
5.1 - District and State Tournament Procedures ................................................ 111
5.2 - Procedures for Emerging Activities ............................................................112
5.3 - Investigative Committee and Peer Review Committee Procedures ..........114
5.4 - Appeal Provisions and Procedures ............................................................115
5.5 - Conduct .....................................................................................................116
Section 6: Registered Officials .......................................................................................119
6.1 - Engaging Athletics Officials .......................................................................120
6.2 - Athletics Officials Requirements ................................................................120
Board of Directors Policies ........................................................................................................122
Appendix A: MSHSAA Participation Summary - Schools & Students.......................................146
Appendix B: Listing of MSHSAA Member Schools by District ..................................................148
Appendix C: Affiliate Registered Schools (ARS) & Home School Associations (HSA) List ......152
Appendix D: CSIET Inbound Advisory List ...............................................................................155
Appendix E: CSIET Outbound Advisory List .............................................................................156
Appendix F: NFHS Sanctioning Procedures ............................................................................157
MSHSAA Projected Calendar of Events .................................................................................... 159
Page 8 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
UPDATES FOR
2024-25
• Summary of Changes
• Key Dates
• New Questions and Answers
INTRO & INFO
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 9
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO THE MSHSAA CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
The following is a summary of changes to the MSHSAA By-Laws adopted by a vote of member schools on the 2024
ANNUAL BALLOT. All amendments became EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024 with the exception of Number 8 which
became effective immediately.
1. Ineligible Students and Forfeitures--Removes By-Law 5.5.4 and amends By-Law 1.2.3 to consolidate language and
clarify the penalties for playing an ineligible player during the regular season and in the MSHSAA District/State Series.
2. Bona Fide Student Rule and Penalty--Amends Section 2 and By-Law 2.1 to add clarity to the denition of a Bona de
student, what constitutes a change in Bona de student status, and the associated penalty for violating By-Law 2.1.
3. Name, Image and Likeness--Amends By-Laws 2.6 and 3.6 to allow students to receive a benet for their name, image or
likeness if the promotions do not represent an afliation to a member school or utilize names, marks, etc. they do not own,
and also to prohibit "NIL Collectives."
4. Transfer Student Participation Eligibility--Eliminates By-Law 3.4.2 in the Certication of Eligibility subsection and
amends By-Law 3.10.7 in the Residency and Transfer subsection to allow transfer students to possibly become eligible the
rst day classes are attended, instead of the fth day, provided the proper transfer form has been submitted and processed.
5. Elimination of 250 Mile Travel Restriction-Athletics--Amends By-Law 3.18.3.c to eliminate the one time per year 250-
mile travel limitation for sports.
6. VB Match Formats for Double and Triple Duals--Amends By-Law 3.25.1 to allow double duals and triple duals to utilize
the 2-out-of-3-set match format in addition to the 3-out-of-5-set match format.
7. First Allowable High School Contest Start Day for All Sports Seasons--Amends By-Law 3.29 to change the rst
allowable contest date for all sports seasons from Friday to Thursday.
8. Separating the Activity of Theatre from Speech & Debate--Amends current By-Law 4.3 to separate the activity of
Theatre, from Speech & Debate, into a new section, as new By-Law 4.6, which will provide autonomy to each activity,
to include separate registrations, governance, manuals, advisory committees, seasons, classication, and post-season
events.
9. Minimum Competition Requirement for Speech and Debate--Adds new By-Law 4.3.5 and amends By-Law 5.1.2 to
require Speech and Debate teams and individuals to participate in at least one contest during the regular season in order to
be eligible for the District Tournament.
10. Expansion of Junior High Speech/Debate/Theatre Contests--Amends By-Law 4.3.3 to increase the number of allowable
speech, debate, and/or theatre contests for junior high schools, not individuals, from ve to ten.
11. Elimination of 250 Mile Travel Restriction-Speech/Debate/Theatre--Amends By-Law 4.3.4 and new By-Law 4.6.4 to
eliminate the one time per year 250-mile travel limitation for Speech, Debate, and Theatre.
12. Elimination of 250 Mile Travel Restriction-Scholar Bowl--Amends By-Law 4.4.4 to eliminate the one time per year 250-
mile travel limitation for Scholar Bowl.
13. Revision to the By-Laws Governing Emerging Sports--Amends By-Law 5.2 to require adherence to By-Law 3.20,
which denes girls sports, boys sports and co-ed sports, and outlines the procedures to be followed in offering teams and
competitions.
14. Increased Number of Annual Appeals Committee Meetings--Amends By-Law 5.4.5 to provide exibility in the
scheduling of annual Appeals Committee Meetings.
15. Penalty for Ejections--Amends By-Laws 5.5.1.c and 5.5.1.d to indicate that participation after an ejection at any level is
prohibited until the one-contest suspension at the level at which the ejection occurred has been served.
16. Registration Deadlines for Ofcials--Amends By-Law 6.2.4 to have the MSHSAA ofce set the ofcials' renewal deadline
appropriate for each season and publish those dates in the Ofcial's Manual.
Page 10 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
2024-25 DATES TO REMEMBER:
ONLINE RULES REVIEW WINDOWS:
FALL SPORTS AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 23
FALL SPIRIT
AUGUST 5 – AUGUST 29
MUSIC AUGUST 5 – SEPTEMBER 13
SPEECH AND DEBATE OCTOBER 7 – DECEMBER 6
SCHOLAR BOWL OCTOBER 7 – JANUARY 10
WINTER SPORTS, WINTER SPIRIT
OCTOBER 28 – NOVEMBER 15
SPRING SPORTS FEBRUARY 24 – MARCH 14
OFFICIALS PART 2 TEST WINDOWS:
THE PART 2 TEST WINDOWS MIRROR THE ONLINE RULES REVIEW WINDOWS FOR THE APPLICABLE SPORTS AND SEASONS.
CLASSIFICATION & DISTRICT ASSIGNMENT RELEASE DATES:
FOOTBALL, GOLF (GIRLS), SOCCER (BOYS), SOFTBALL (FALL),
SWIMMING/DIVING (BOYS), TENNIS (GIRLS), VOLLEYBALL
(GIRLS)
AUGUST 30
CROSS COUNTRY SEPTEMBER 13
SPEECH/DEBATE OCTOBER 11
BASKETBALL, WRESTLING NOVEMBER 22
SWIMMING/DIVING (GIRLS) NOVEMBER 29
MUSIC, THEATRE DECEMBER 6
SCHOLAR BOWL JANUARY 17
BASEBALL, GOLF (BOYS), SOCCER (GIRLS), SOFTBALL
(SPRING), TENNIS (BOYS), TRACK/FIELD, VOLLEYBALL (BOYS)
MARCH 21
RULE BOOK MAILING DATES:
FALL AUGUST 6
WINTER OCTOBER 10
SPRING FEBRUARY 11
OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER:
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE AUGUST 15
NEW AD TRAINING AUGUST
MSHSAA 101 MEETINGS FALL
AREA MEETINGS JANUARY
QUESTIONNAIRE VOTING FEBRUARY
ANNUAL BALLOT AND BOARD ELECTION VOTING,
ENROLLMENT DECLARATION
APRIL
ANNUAL REGISTRATION
WILL OPEN AFTER THE MIAAA SPRING CONFERENCE IN
APRIL; MUST BE COMPLETED BY MAY 15
NEW MEMBER SCHOOL TRAINING JUNE
INTRO & INFO
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 11
NEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR 2024-25
By-Law 1.7 Heat Acclimatization and Fall Practice Requirements Page 37: New #5
By-Law 2.1 Bona fide Students (2) Page 39: New #3, 4, 5
By-Law 2.3 Non-Traditional Academic Options-Local Board Policy Required Page 48: New #19
By-Law 3.6 Amateurism and Benefits Page 64: New #13
By-Law 3.15 Coaches Contact with Students in the Summer Page 85: New #20
By-Law 3.16 Preseason Jamborees and Out-of-State Schools Page 87: New #7
By-Law 4.2 Music (2) Page 104: New #15, 16
By-Law 4.3 Junior High Speech and Debate Page 105: New #4
By-Law 5.2 Esports Remaining as Provisionally Interscholastic Activity (2) Page 114: New #14, 15
Page 12 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
MSHSAA
• History
• NFHS
• Mission Statement
• Constitution & By-Laws
• Executive Directors
INTRO & INFO
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 13
2025-26: MSHSAA CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
The 2025-26 school year will mark the One Hundredth year of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, and special
festivities are currently being planned. Three key dates in MSHSAA’s history will also be celebrated next year.
Next Year - 2025-26: MSHSAA Celebrates 100 Years of Interscholastics
November 13, 2025: 100th Anniversary of the Initial Meeting of Missouri stakeholders regarding the creation of a
State Athletic Association. The meeting was held in St. Louis at the Statler Hotel. A temporary
organization was formed and a constitutional convention was scheduled for December.
December 12, 2025: 100th Anniversary of the Constitutional Convention Meeting where the constitution was
drafted and a Board of Control was elected. The acceptance or rejection of the drafted
constitution was left to the decision of the Superintendents at their annual meeting in
Columbia in February.
February 4, 2026: 100th Anniversary of the MSHSAA Constitution being adopted unanimously at the State
Superintendents Meeting, marking the start of the Missouri State High School Athletic
Association, later to be renamed the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
HISTORY OF THE MISSOURI ASSOCIATION
Irvin A. Keller, third director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, and author of A History – How The Missouri
State High School Activities Association Came to Be, explains how interscholastics began in Missouri. The book was published
in 1979 and chronicled the beginnings of the association and its growth over the first fifty years. Regarding the impetus for
interscholastics in Missouri he notes, “The objectives of the early high schools were primarily to teach the academics. Although
some attention was given to physical culture, which evolved several years later as physical education as we know it today, the class
activities consisted primarily calisthenics and gymnastics. Prior to the 1900’s, athletic games were actually resisted by some who
were opposed to athletics being taught in the schools. However, this attitude gradually changed, and in the period from 1900 to
1910 a growing emphasis on games as a part of the physical education program developed. This may well have been due in part
to the natural human interest in play and the initiation of athletic contests by high school students themselves. It was during the first
quarter of the Twentieth Century that interscholastic competition emerged to become a permanent part of the total secondary school
program.”
During the time period from about 1910 to 1925, a fairly elaborate system of conferences, leagues and regional athletic associations
were in place and functioning in Missouri. Winners of regional contests moved forward in select sports, notably Basketball and
Track & Field, to competitions organized and hosted by the University of Missouri. Eligibility standards were in place in some of the
regions, but were not consistent. Various regulations of interscholastic events had been adopted in an attempt to control abuses
and inequities that were creeping into the interscholastic program.
The following excerpt is taken from the first annual MSHSAA Official Handbook published in 1927. Mr. Carl Burris, Principal of
Clayton High School and secretary of the MSHSAA Board of Control, provided the following description of the formation of the
association:
“The formation of a State High School Athletic Association had been in the minds of many school men prior to 1925. The
writer does not know if any attempts had been made to get a meeting in which all sections of the state were represented
but several individuals had given some attention to getting the matter before the State in a general way. At least one high
school Principal sent circular letters to high schools in the state in 1925. Were it possible to mention all names of men
who did the promotion work we would gladly do so. That would be our honor roll. Since the list would be incomplete,
because of lack of information, it is better to pass on to definite things. This much is known, Missouri was late in
forming a State Athletic Association. Our neighboring states were ahead of us. They pioneered and we profited by their
experiences.
On November 13, 1925, a group of representatives from Missouri high schools had a meeting in the Hotel Statler,
St. Louis. A temporary organization was made and a constitutional convention called to meet in St. Louis on
December 12, 1925. Many district, county or city organizations were represented at the December meeting. The
following men formed the constitution in its original form:
Carl Burris, Clayton W. T. Doherty, Cape Girardeau H. N. McCall, Carterville
W. E. Byers, Carthage Coach G. Henry, Columbia T. C. Reid, Warrensburg
C. C. Conrad, Charleston D. W. Hopkins, St. Joseph O. G. Sanford, Trenton
Dr. H. S. Curtis, Jefferson City Lloyd W. King, Monroe City H. R. Shepherd, Kansas City
J. D. Deaton, Butler Uel W. Lamkin, Maryville C. O. Williams, Jefferson City
Seven hours were used in discussion and voting before the constitution was completed. The Board of Control as elected
at the meeting on December 12 (1925) was the same as is now serving the State Association (1927).
Page 14 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
As provided in the original constitution the acceptance or rejection of that document was left to the decision of the
Superintendents in Columbia, on February 3 and 4, 1926. On February 4, 1926 the constitution was adopted by them
without opposition. Vandalia High School was the first school to join the Association.
During the remainder of the year 1925-26, the Board of Control tried to place the new Association before the schools of
the state and gain the support of membership. The first annual Basketball Tournament was held March 19-20, 1926.
Westport High School, Kansas City, won the state championship by defeating St. Joseph Central. The State Track meet
was held May 1st. One hundred twenty-seven schools joined the Association before the close of the school year.
In the fall of 1926 other schools joined and the growth since that has been steady. At the present time there are 78 “A”
class schools and 394 “B” class schools in the Association [472 members at the close of 1926-27]. The second annual
basketball tournament under the Association was held March 18-19 (1927). The report is made in another section of
this handbook. Athletic relations have been somewhat unified. It is believed that they have been raised generally to a
higher plane through uniform eligibility rules which have been conscientiously followed. Some violations have caused
the Board to take disciplinary action. Some violations have been of a minor nature and have arisen because of lack of
understanding or because of the difficulties a new organization frequently meets.”
“The secretary desires that member schools do not forget that this organization belongs to the member schools. The
board of Control acts only by constitutional authority. The steady growth of the Association leads to the conclusion that
the organization is functioning in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. It is hoped that the information contained in the
handbook will be interesting and valuable and thus that the book will be used frequently.
Carl Burris,
Secretary”
Until 1949, MSHSAA was an athletic association. In the annual election of 1948, the name was officially changed to Missouri State
High School Activities Association, effective September 1, 1949. Provision was made in the Constitution to allow other contest areas
to be included as a part of the association program. An amendment to include music, voted on in March 1949, failed to carry the
necessary two-thirds majority and lost by a vote of 276 to 143.
In the annual November 1950 election, Article IX to include music in the MSHSAA program was approved by a vote of 313 to 124.
An amendment to provide supervision over debate under Article X was also adopted in the same election by a vote of 307 to 121.
The latter was again amended in 1959 to apply to all speech activities, effective with the 1960 contests.
MSHSAA, like the state high school associations in other states, has experienced an evolutionary growth. Attention was first
given to the control of abuses and regulation of activities. This emphasis was later to change to the giving of consideration to the
formulation of standards to guide interscholastic programs. The Board of Control in 1956 adopted a long range, comprehensive
program to improve high school activities as a means of better educating boys and girls. Procedures and techniques to implement
the program have been developed as a continuous part of the MSHSAA program. In 1987-88 the Board of Control was renamed as
the Board of Directors to more accurately reflect this body’s purposes to guide and direct the interscholastic activities programs.
MSHSAA was first housed with MSTA on the University of Missouri campus at 407 S. Sixth Street in Columbia. In 1970 the member
schools approved the building of an office in Columbia with 13,000 square feet at 1808 I-70 Drive Southwest. In 2001 the offices
were moved to a new building constructed at 1 N. Keene Street for MSHSAA totaling 26,000 square feet. MSHSAA continues to
have Columbia as its home base.
This is a brief historical sketch of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. In its final analysis it is an organization of
schools through which they work cooperatively in formulating standards that help ensure that the interscholastic activities will remain
an integral part of the total secondary educational program.
99 YEARS OF MSHSAA – 96TH ANNUAL HANDBOOK
Why aren’t there as many Official Handbooks as years of the association? This year’s 2024-25 Handbook is the 96th Annual, but
MSHSAA is 99 years old. Historically, there are three school years not accounted for in regard to Handbooks: 1926-27, 1936-37,
and 1941-42, due primarily to changes in the publishing date. Although a small booklet entitled “Constitution and By-Laws” was
published in January of 1926, as a result of the Constitutional Convention and in preparation for the Superintendents Meeting in
February, there was no Official Handbook for the membership in 1926-27. The first annual Official Handbook was published in the
fall of the second year of the association (1927-28) and served as an Annual Report of the first year, including a listing of member
schools and the results from the various state championships. This publishing schedule continued until 1936, at which point no
handbook was published for 1936-37. The 9th Annual Handbook for 1935-36 was published in January of 1936, and the 10th
Annual Handbook, labeled for 1937-38 was not published until August of 1938. For four more years, the handbook was published
in the month of August following the year for which it was labeled. Then for the 1942-43 school year, the handbook was published
at the beginning of the year, in August of 1942. As a result of this transition, although a handbook was published every August (13th
Annual for 1940-41 in August of 1941 and the 14th Annual for 1942-43 in August of 1942), the school year of 1941-42 never had its
own handbook. Now you know the rest of the story!
INTRO & INFO
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 15
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
The National Federation consists of the fifty individual state high school athletic and/or activities associations and the association of
the District of Columbia. These associations have united to secure the benefits of cooperative action which eliminate unnecessary
duplication of effort and which increase efficiency through the pooling and coordinating of ideas of all who are engaged in the
administration of high school athletic and activities programs.
The national organization had its beginning in a meeting at Chicago on May 14, 1920. L.W. Smith, secretary of the Illinois High
School Athletic Association, issued invitations to neighboring states and state association representatives came from Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. The primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss problems which had resulted from high school
contests which were organized by colleges and universities or by other clubs or promoters. In many cases, little attention was paid to
the eligibility rules of the high school associations or to other school group regulations and chaotic conditions had developed. At this
first meeting it was decided that the welfare of the high schools required a more active part in the control of such athletic activities be
exercised by the high schools through the state associations, and this control necessitated the formation of a national organization.
A Constitution and By-Laws were adopted and the group decided on the name “Midwest Federation of State High School Athletic
Associations.” Principal George Edward Marshall, Davenport, Iowa, was elected president and Principal L.W. Smith of Joliet, Illinois,
was elected secretary-treasurer.
In 1921, four states, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin continued their interest and became charter members through formal
ratification of the Constitution. Largely due to their efforts the national organization grew during the early years.
In 1922, the Chicago annual meeting was attended by representatives from 11 states, and the name of the National Federation of
State High School Athletic Associations was adopted. A number of college and university representatives who attended the meeting
expressed sympathy for and interest in the efforts to introduce a high degree of order in the regulation of interscholastic contests.
(Missouri joined the National Federation in 1926.)
Since that time, the National Federation has had healthy growth to its present nationwide membership. By 1940, a national office with
a full-time executive staff became necessary and such office was established in September of that year. The NFHS office is located
in Indianapolis, Indiana.
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE MISSOURI
STATE HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
The following Mission Statement was adopted by the membership in the 1994 Annual Election: “MSHSAA promotes the value
of participation, sportsmanship, team play, and personal excellence to develop citizens who make positive contributions to their
community and support the democratic principles of our state and nation.”
MSHSAA CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
The Constitution and By-Laws have been adopted by the MSHSAA member schools to define the operation and organization of the
unincorporated, voluntary, private, not for profit association. Delegation of authority is defined as well as the essential requirements
for membership, participation and all minimum and maximum requirements for schools and students. The Constitution and By-Laws
apply to MSHSAA member schools and the bona fide students of the member schools.
MSHSAA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND OFFICE LOCATIONS
Carl Burris - 1926-1948 (22 years): Secretary/Treasurer on Board of Control. No office or staff members.
T. L. Noel - 1948-1956 (8 years): First staff director. Location: 407 South Sixth Street, Columbia.
Irvin A. Keller - 1956-1977 (21 years): During tenure, ofce moved to 1808 I-70 Drive Southwest, Columbia.
Jack Miles - 1977-1992 (15 years): 1808 I-70 Drive Southwest, Columbia.
Becky Oakes - 1992-2006 (14 years): During tenure, ofce moved to 1 North Keene Street, Columbia.
Dr. Kerwin Urhahn - 2006-2022 (16 years): 1 North Keene Street, Columbia.
Dr. Jennifer Rukstad - 2022-present: 1 North Keene Street, Columbia.
Page 16 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
CONSTITUTION
of the
Missouri
State High School
Activities
Association
CONSTITUTION
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 17
ARTICLE I:
NAME
Section 1: NAME
The name of this Association shall be The Missouri State High School Activities Association.
ARTICLE II:
PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES
Section 1: PHILOSOPHY
Interscholastic activities are an integral part which complements the secondary curricular program. This program shall provide
educational and social experiences for the students and school community which result in positive learner outcomes contributing
to the development of good citizenship, sportsmanship and equitable competition.
Section 2: GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The Missouri State High School Activities Association is a voluntary, nonprot, educational association of secondary schools
established for the purpose of working collaboratively to develop and adopt standards of supervision and administration to regulate
the diverse interscholastic activities and contests which are delegated by the member schools to the jurisdiction of the Association.
Section 3: SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Stated more specically, the objectives of the Association include:
a. To ensure that interscholastic activities shall supplement the curricular program of the school to provide opportunities for
youth to acquire worthwhile knowledge, skills and emotional patterns.
b. To promote the educational values inherent in interscholastic activities which will contribute to the accepted aims of
education.
c. To develop standards for the approval and direction of interscholastic activities and contests.
d. To formulate minimum uniform and equitable standards of eligibility that must be met by students to attain the privilege of
representing their schools in interscholastic activities.
e. To develop standards to be met by schools participating in interscholastic activities under the sponsorship of the
Association.
f. To avoid interference with the educational program of the school and to prevent exploitation of high school youth and the
programs of member schools by special interest groups.
g. To foster a cooperative spirit and good sportsmanship on the part of school representatives, school patrons, and students.
h. To provide means of evaluating and controlling local, state, and national contests affecting secondary schools initiated by
rms, organizations, and institutions outside organized educational agencies.
i. To develop standards of ofciating and adjudicating to ensure greater statewide consistency and quality.
Page 18 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
ARTICLE III:
MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATE REGISTERED SCHOOLS
Section 1: REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP
The membership of this Association shall be comprised of such Missouri schools, as defined below, enrolling grades of secondary
rank, including any combination of grades 6-12, and such members may be required to make payment of an annual service fee to
this Association (See Article V). The request for membership and payment of the service fee shall be approved by the public school
board of education, or by the governing body of the parochial or private school, thereby, certifying its adoption of the standards and
regulations contained in the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association and the responsibility for upholding them.
a. School definition: A school is an administrative unit dedicated to and designed to impart skills and knowledge to students.
A school is organized to efficiently deliver sequential instruction from multiple teachers to students who report to a common
location. A school is housed in one or more buildings.
A school:
1. Provides or directly supervises the educational services received by all students who are enrolled in one or more grade
groups.
2. Implements a curriculum and tracks attendance and instructional time.
3. Has an assigned, appropriately-credentialed administrator/principal responsible for all aspects of school administration
including supervision, personnel actions and evaluation of staff, fiscal responsibility, student discipline and safety,
supervision and evaluation of curriculum, assessment of academic achievement and school accountability, with access
to and responsibility for maintaining official student records for all enrolled students; responsible for its day-to-day
operation.
4. Has multiple appropriately-credentialed teachers to provide instruction.
5. Has five or more enrolled students that are unrelated.
6. Is authorized by action of and operated under the oversight of a Board of Education or Governing Board.
b. Public Schools: Public schools operating under the auspices, rules and regulations of the Missouri Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) are eligible for membership. Any public school special education program
for the handicapped, organized as a unit under an administrator, approved by the Missouri State Department of Education,
which, though un-graded, enrolls pupils of equivalent chronological age, likewise, may become a member. The Missouri
School for the Deaf and the Missouri School for the Blind may become members of this Association.
c. Charter Schools: A Charter school with an approved Charter by the State Board of Education shall be eligible for
membership.
d. Non-Public Schools: Non-public schools must be accredited by one of the following:
1. Cognia (previously AdvancED)
2. Association of Christian Schools International (South Central Regional Office)
3. Missouri Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (Chapter of NFNSSAA)
4. Independent Schools Association of the Central States (Regional member of NAIS)
5. National Lutheran School Accreditation
RELATED QUESTION(S) AND ANSWER(S) BELOW
Q1: Is a home school association (a support organization and/or a consortium of home schooling families that work to
provide curriculum and/or support for the home schooling process) eligible to become a MSHSAA member or an Affiliate
Registered School?
A1: No. Member schools and Affiliate Registered Schools must be “schools” as per Article III, Section 1. A school must have
only bona fide students which are defined as being enrolled and regularly attending classes at that member or affiliate
registered school. An association of home schooling families, in contrast, is a group of persons banded together for a
specific purpose, but is not a “school.” (See also By-Law 1.1.1.e)
Section 2: CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP
a. Denitions:
1. The term, “secondary school” or “school of secondary rank,” in this Constitution shall mean any school organized as
CONSTITUTION
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 19
an administrative unit under a principal or superintendent that is comprised of grades 6 through 12, or any combination
thereof that includes at least one grade above the 8th grade.
2. A “junior high school” is a school comprised of any combination of grades six through eight and that functions as
an administrative unit under a school principal. An elementary school organized under an administrator may hold a
membership for its 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
3. A “high school” or “senior high school” is a school comprised of any combination of grades nine through twelve and that
functions as an administrative unit under a school principal.
b. Membership Options:
1. Schools that include 6th, 7th, and/or 8th grades under the supervision of a junior high school principal may select
one of the following membership structures:
(a) Junior High Membership: If a junior high school holds a membership separate from the high school, it shall have a
vote on all Association matters and shall receive ofcial mailings from the MSHSAA ofce.
(b) Combined Membership with the High School: If any, or all, of these grades are included with the high school
membership, it shall not have an additional vote on MSHSAA matters and will not receive separate ofcial
MSHSAA mailings.
2. Schools that include 6th, 7th, and/or 8th grades included under the supervision of the high school principal may not
elect to hold a membership separate from the high school, but may elect to become an Afliate Registered School for
grades six through eight only, as outlined in Sections 6, 7, and 8.
3. Schools with any combination of grades nine through twelve may select one of the following membership structures:
(a) Separate High School Membership
(b) Combined Membership with one junior high school within its school district
RELATED QUESTION(S) AND ANSWER(S) BELOW
Q1: Are 5th grade students eligible to represent our school in music activities?
A1: No. MSHSAA is comprised of schools enrolling any combination of grades 6-12; therefore 5th grade students are not
eligible to represent their school in the MSHSAA activities of music, speech, spirit, scholar bowl or athletics.
Q2: Our middle school, comprised of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, is not a member of MSHSAA; however our high school
is a registered member. We have 8th grade students that take some advanced courses at the high school and are also
enrolled in the high school music program. The grades received from the high school courses are placed on the students
8th grade transcript. Are these students eligible to represent our high school in music activities?
A2: No. The middle school has not registered as a member of MSHSAA and the students are, therefore, not able to represent
their school in MSHSAA music activities individually or in combination with the high school students. This restriction would
be in place for all sports and activities (i.e. music, speech and debate, spirit, and scholar bowl) as well.
Q3: Our school district is opening a new high school with 9th grade students only in the rst year of existence. The school will
add a grade each subsequent year until the school is a full senior high with grades 9 through 12. Can this new school join
MSHSAA as a “junior high school” or must they join as a “high school?”
A3: This new school must join MSHSAA as a “high school.” (See also Board Policy on Enrollment, Classication, and Districts.)
Section 3: SUSPENSION OF MEMBERSHIP
Any member school found guilty of violating any provision of this Constitution and By-Laws may be suspended from this Association
for not more than 365 days by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4: DELINQUENT FEES, FINES, AND/OR REPORTS
A school which has failed to le with the Executive Director its required annual or season reports as required by the Board of
Directors, or failed to pay any of its fees or nes for the preceding year by or before August 1, is automatically suspended from
membership, but may be reinstated upon the ling of the delinquent report or payment of the delinquent fees plus a penalty of
$10.00 per report due.
Section 5: APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP AND ANNUAL RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP
a. A school seeking initial membership in MSHSAA shall make application and submit all requirements by April 1 in order to
be considered for membership for the following school year. Membership will be considered by the Board of Directors at
Page 20 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
a regularly scheduled Board meeting after the application deadline. Membership will not be nalized until the school, after
being approved by the Board of Directors, completes a training session at the MSHSAA ofce.
b. Each member school shall renew its membership with MSHSAA annually. Directions for renewal of membership and
activity registration will be provided to schools via mail or an electronic means. Renewal must be completed no later than
May 15 of each year. Late fees will accrue after this date.
c. Any school that has not renewed its membership by May 15 is automatically suspended.
Section 6: AFFILIATE REGISTERED SCHOOL
A school, as dened in Article III, Section 1a, which is not a member of MSHSAA in grades 6-12 or any combination thereof, may
register as an Afliate Registered School (ARS). Afliate Registered Schools are not eligible for participation in the MSHSAA district
and state series. Once registered, such schools are eligible to compete against member schools, at the discretion of each MSHSAA
member school, during the regular season under the following conditions:
a. When competing against a MSHSAA member school, the essential requirements of age apply as provided in By-Law 3.5.
b. When competing against a MSHSAA member school, only bona de students, as dened in By-Laws 2.1.1., 2.1.1.a, and
2.3, may participate.
c. When competing against a MSHSAA member school, students repeating a grade at the junior high level at an ARS are
ineligible to participate.
d. When competing against a MSHSAA member school, all game ofcials must be registered by MSHSAA and hired in
accordance with By-Law 6.1.
e. When competing against a MSHSAA member school, National Federation of State High School Association game rules
shall be utilized or game rule codes specied by MSHSAA for member school competition (i.e. USTA for tennis, USGA for
golf, etc.)
f. The sport season for an ARS is dened as the period from the school team’s rst practice until its nal contest. The
restrictions outlined in By-Law 3.13.2.a, Organized Non-School Competition – same season, same sport, shall be followed
during the school sport season.
Editor’s Note: Afliate registered schools do not have MSHSAA Catastrophic Insurance coverage. Afliate schools who are
in a cooperative agreement (junior high) with a full member MSHSAA school will have no catastrophic insurance coverage for
their students in the cooperative agreement.
RELATED QUESTION(S) AND ANSWER(S) BELOW
Q1: Our school is an Afliate Registered School and we have read about the requirement for an ARS in regard to non-school
competition. Since, as an ARS, we aren’t limited by “sport seasons,” when are our individual athletes restricted from
playing on a non-school (select, traveling, competitive, etc.) team?
A1: You are correct that there are not dened seasons for ARS sports; however, your school’s season is dened as the period
beginning with your rst practice and ending with your last contest. This period can be all year long, or a shorter, more
dened period. It is during this period (your season) that your athletes must refrain from participating as individuals in non-
school competition. It is not considered non-school competition if your school team is playing against a non-school entity
like a church league team, etc. (Constitution, Art. III, Section 6)
Section 7: AFFILIATE REGISTRATION
a. An ARS shall remit an annual registration fee set by the MSHSAA Board of Directors, and shall annually complete the ARS
Registration and Activity Registration by May 15 of each year.
b. Any school that has not registered by May 15 will automatically lose its ARS designation for the upcoming school year.
c. Activity registration fees shall be set by the Board of Directors to help meet expenses of various administrative
responsibilities and materials for events under its supervision.
Section 8: SUSPENSION OF AFFILIATE REGISTRATION
Any Afliate Registered School found in violation of any provision of the Constitution and By-Laws as provided above may be
suspended from registering with this Association for not more than 365 days by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The
appeal process as provided in By-Law 5.4 shall apply to Afliate Registered Schools.
CONSTITUTION
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 21
ARTICLE IV:
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
Section 1: MEMBERSHIP DISTRICTS
a. Each of the eight districts outlined shall have one member on the Board of Directors:
Northwest: The counties of Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry,
Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Ray, and Worth.
Northeast: The counties of Adair, Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Clark, Howard, Knox, Lewis, Lincoln, Linn,
Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby,
Sullivan, and Warren.
Kansas City: The City of Kansas City and the counties of Clay, Jackson, and Platte.
Central: The counties of Bates, Benton, Cass, Cole, Cooper, Henry, Hickory, Johnson, Lafayette, Miller, Moniteau,
Morgan, Pettis, St. Clair, and Saline.
South Central: The counties of Camden, Crawford, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, and Pulaski.
St. Louis: The City of St. Louis, and the counties of St. Louis and St. Charles.
Southwest: The counties of Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Laclede,
Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster, and Wright.
Southeast: The counties of Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Iron, Jefferson, Madison, Mississippi,
New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Scott, Shannon, Stoddard,
Washington, and Wayne.
b. A member school may request in writing by May 1 to the Board of Directors to be placed in a different Board District for a
ten-year assignment. If approved, the new placement would become effective July 1. Such requests shall be considered
by the Board of Directors utilizing the following criteria for evaluation:
1. Common boundaries of the MSHSAA Board Districts
2. School demographics
3. School enrollment
4. Community population
5. Program offerings
Editor’s Note: The following schools have been approved for placement in a different Board District:
1. Raymore-Peculiar High School (Kansas City Board District) (expires June 30, 2026)
2. Raymore-Peculiar East Junior High School (Kansas City Board District) (expires June 30, 2026)
3. Belton High School (Kansas City Board District) (expires June 30, 2026)
4. Belton Junior High School (Kansas City Board District) (expires June 30, 2026)
5. St. Elizabeth Junior High and High School (South Central Board District) (expires June 30, 2028)
6. North Platte Junior High and High School (Northwest Board District) (expires June 30, 2029)
7. Dadeville High School (Central Board District) (expires June 30, 2031)
8. Fair Play Junior High and High School (Central Board District) (expires June 30, 2031)
Section 2: COMPOSITION OF AND QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a. Composition: The administrative body of this Association shall be a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall
include ten elected members representing the eight districts of the state and two at-large regions. In the event the elected
district and at-large Board membership does not include an active activities director, then an additional (eleventh) member
shall be appointed to the Board of Directors by the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA).
The Board of Directors shall elect from the Board a President and Vice-President to serve one year.
b. Qualications: The members of the Board of Directors shall be active school superintendents, principals, or activities
directors of member schools in good standing in their respective districts.
1. District Members: Principals and superintendents must meet the standards set by the State Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education for principals or superintendents. Activities administrators must hold a professional teacher’s
certicate and/or a degree in educational administration, be currently serving as an active activities director with
responsibilities for both athletics and activities, and be credentialed as a Certied Athletic Administrator (CAA) through
the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
2. At-Large Members: Each of two At-Large positions shall be lled by a candidate representing the under-represented
gender of the current Board, or an under-represented ethnicity. At-Large members of the Board of Directors shall meet
the same qualications as described in number 1 above.
3. MIAAA Appointee When Necessary: The MIAAA appointee must meet the same qualications as described for
activities administrators in number 1 above.
Page 22 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Section 3: NOMINATION, ELECTION AND TERMS FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a. Representation: Eight members will be elected to the Board of Directors to represent the eight Board districts as per Article
IV, Section 1 of the Constitution. The At-Large positions will be elected from two regions. Region 1 shall consist of the
Kansas City and St. Louis MSHSAA Board Districts. Region 2 shall consist of the Northeast, Southeast, Central, South
Central, Southwest, and Northwest Board Districts. The MIAAA Appointee, if needed, would represent the entire state.
b. Nomination and Election: Candidates shall be nominated by primary ballot provided by the Executive Director to each
member school of the Association in the district or at-large region where the vacancy occurs. The names of the three
persons having the highest number of votes in the primary election shall appear on the nal ballot. However, if there is a tie
vote for the third highest, it shall be considered that no person has received a third highest vote and only the names of the
persons receiving the two highest number of votes shall appear on the nal ballot. The person receiving the highest number
of votes on the nal ballot shall be declared elected to the Board of Directors. In case of a tie on the nal ballot, a special
ballot shall be provided containing the names of the nominees receiving the tie votes. Each member school shall have one
vote. The school’s ballot to be ofcial must be signed by the principal or the superintendent of the school. Ballots shall be
distributed to all member schools. Final ballots shall be received at the MSHSAA ofce no later than May 1. Each newly
elected member shall take ofce on the next succeeding July 15.
c. Terms: One full term is four (4) years.
1. Elected Members: District members and at-large members are elected for a four-year term unless the nal ballot
species otherwise (partial term due to a vacancy). Elected members are eligible for a second term provided a self-
nomination occurs. Individuals shall complete a self-nomination form with background information stating interest
in serving on the Board. The same preliminary and nal election process shall apply to all elected Board members.
No member of the Board of Directors shall serve for more than two consecutive four-year terms as an elected Board
member; however, following the completion of two full terms as an elected Board member, an individual who meets the
qualications to serve as an MIAAA appointee is eligible to be appointed in this capacity if the position is needed.
2. MIAAA Appointee When Necessary: The MIAAA appointee shall be appointed for a four-year term. This appointee
is eligible to be reappointed for a second term only if no activities director has been elected to the Board during the
appointee’s rst term. An appointee shall serve for no more than two consecutive four-year terms in the capacity of
MIAAA appointee; however, following the completion of two full terms as an MIAAA appointee, an individual who meets
the qualications to serve as an elected Board member is eligible to be elected by his/her district or region.
3. Any part of an unexpired term shall not be considered as one of the two consecutive four-year terms permitted. Any
administrator who has served two consecutive terms and is then off the Board for one or more four-year terms shall be
considered eligible for re-election.
Editor’s Note: The terms of ofce for Board members expire on July 15 in the years indicated below.
St. Louis..................2025 Southeast .................2027 At-Large Region 1 ......... 2027
Central .................... 2025 Southwest .................2027 At-Large Region 2 ......... 2025
South Central..........2026 Northeast .................. 2028
Kansas City ............2026 Northwest .................2028
Section 4: VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In the case of a Board member’s death, resignation, removal from the district, or withdrawal from the profession, the Board of
Directors shall declare a vacancy.
a. Elected Members: The Board shall appoint a qualied person from that district or region to ll the vacancy until the next
regular election when a successor shall be elected to ll the unexpired term.
b. MIAAA Appointee When Necessary: If no activities director has been elected to the Board since the appointment was
made, the MIAAA would be requested to appoint a qualied person to ll the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired
term.
Section 5: MEETINGS
The Board of Directors shall meet at least ve (5) times each year. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the call of the President
or by agreement of at least ve (5) members of the Board. Except action taken by an emergency panel designated by the President
under By-Law 5.4.10, a quorum of six (6) members of the Board shall be required for the transaction of business.
CONSTITUTION
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 23
Section 6: POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
a. The Board of Directors shall be the executive body of the Association. It shall have the authority to adopt such policies and
procedures as are necessary to administer the business of the Association except such policies and procedures shall not
be in conict with a provision of the Constitution and By-Laws.
b. The Board of Directors shall secure the services of an Executive Director and staff who shall be paid from the treasury of
the Association.
c. The Board shall determine the qualications, terms of ofce, and the salaries of the Executive Director and staff.
d. The Board shall outline the duties of the Executive Director and delegate such authority to the Director that it deems
advisable to administer properly the program of this Association.
e. The Board shall set up any necessary regulations for the operation of the ofce of the Executive Director.
f. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to investigate reported violations.
Editor’s Note: Please refer to Board Policy on Reported By-Law Violations.
g. The Board of Directors shall be the authority to interpret the rules and provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws of the
Association and shall be the nal judge as to whether a violation has occurred.
h. The Board of Directors may assess penalties for violations of any of the provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws,
however, the maximum penalty for any one offense shall not exceed one year’s suspension from the Association.
i. The Board of Directors shall be the custodian of the funds of the Association and shall authorize payments. It is further
authorized to borrow money when necessary and when approved by a majority vote of members of the Board of Directors.
Any note of indebtedness shall be signed by the President and Executive Director.
j. The Board of Directors shall be the authority to purchase, manage and sell any real estate for the Association. The trustees
for any such real estate property and buildings shall be the ofcers currently serving as President, Vice-President, and
Executive Director of the Association. When their terms expire, their successors currently serving as ofcers shall be the
trustees.
k. The Board of Directors is authorized to resolve problems of conference membership after the following steps have been
exhausted. This provision is not to be applied if a school voluntarily withdraws from one conference to seek admittance
to another conference, or to guarantee a school membership in a particular conference. Neither shall this provision be
interpreted to require that a school must hold conference membership.
1. The school has functioned without conference afliation for two years before appealing to the Board of Directors for
assistance.
2. A school has made application for membership to existing conferences.
3. There is no voluntary conference afliation available.
4. The school(s) concerned have attempted to form a new conference.
5. Existing conferences or an existing district activities association has been unable to resolve the conference
membership problem.
6. The school(s) have appealed to the Board of Directors for assistance by petition giving full information regarding the
problem and attempts to resolve it.
7. The school shall submit documentation to support that unusual hardships have been incurred by not having a
conference afliation.
8. An ad hoc committee appointed by the Board of Directors has studied the problem and made a recommendation to all
schools involved.
9. A hearing is held by the Board of Directors involving all schools concerned.
10. The Board of Directors shall resolve the problem of conference afliation by assigning the school to an appropriate
conference or, based on the information gathered, take action not to assign the appealing school to a conference at the
present time.
l. The Board of Directors shall be the authority to register athletic game ofcials and to set appropriate registration fees. It
is authorized to determine the qualications for registration and to suspend, bar or place ofcials on probation who do not
meet or who violate standards contained under By-Law 6.2.
m. The MSHSAA Journal shall be the ofcial publication of the Association. The MSHSAA Ofce shall annually prepare
one or more issues of the MSHSAA Journal for distribution to all member schools and registered ofcials. The means of
distribution shall be determined by the Executive Director annually.
n. The Board of Directors shall appoint such committees as it deems necessary to plan and expedite the work of the
Association. Appointment shall be for periods of four years. These committees shall be responsible to the Board of
Directors.
o. The Board of Directors shall be the authority to organize and direct such preliminary tournaments, meets, or games as
necessary to select teams or individuals qualied to compete in state contests and shall administer such contests.
p. The Board of Directors is authorized to grant eligibility to a student in a case that is beyond the control of a student or his
(her) parents, which in the opinion of the Board involves undue hardship or an emergency and does not violate the intent
of any standards of eligibility. Cases involving any choice on the part of the student or parents shall not be heard under this
section.
Editor’s Note: See By-Law 5.4 for Appeals Process
Page 24 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Section 7: DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
a. The Executive Director shall be the executive ofcer of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. The Director
shall attend the meetings of the Board of Directors and shall act as its secretary. The Director shall carry out the policies
of the Board of Directors and from time to time shall make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Director shall
be charged with the responsibility of maintaining an ofce adequate for carrying on the business of the Association. The
Director shall act as treasurer of the Association and shall be bonded in the amount determined by the Board of Directors.
b. The Executive Director shall arrange and announce no later than May 10 of each year the Association’s calendar for the
succeeding year.
c. The Executive Director shall be responsible for the editing and the structure of the MSHSAA Ofcial Handbook, to include
the following:
1. Structure, layout and formatting;
2. Sections and resources;
3. By-Law numbering, order, titling and outline format;
4. Editorial updates, including non-substantive wording updates for clarity, and correction of typographical errors.
ARTICLE V:
FINANCE
Section 1: CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE FEE
The Board of Directors is authorized to levy a Catastrophic Insurance Fee as a condition of membership to pay the premium of
a statewide catastrophic insurance plan (which may include disability, medical and liability benets) to cover all students while
practicing for and/or participating in interscholastic activities and athletic programs of member schools.
a. The Catastrophic Insurance Fee shall be payable on or before September 1, and shall be for the ensuing school year.
Schools not having paid their Catastrophic Insurance Fee on or before September 1 are automatically suspended. A
school so suspended for non-payment of the Catastrophic Insurance Fee may be reinstated to membership by the payment
of the insurance fee and a $10.00 per month penalty between September 1 and the time of delayed reinstatement of
membership. A school applying for membership for the rst time shall not be subjected to the penalty for payment of the
service fee after September 1.
Section 2: REGISTRATION AND ENTRY FEES
The Board of Directors may set registration and entry fees to help meet expenses of various contests and events under its
supervision.
ARTICLE VI:
AMENDMENTS
Section 1: PROVISION FOR AMENDMENTS
a. The Constitution of this Association may be amended by a two-thirds majority of schools voting and the By-Laws by a
majority of those voting provided the proposed amendment has been submitted to the Executive Director and received
at the MSHSAA ofce no later than December 15 (see also Section 3 for procedures). The Executive Director shall
submit all proposed amendments to member schools no later than the rst Monday in April. Ballots shall be distributed
to all member schools, with each member school having one vote. The school’s ballot to be ofcial must be signed
by the principal or superintendent of the school when paper ballots are sent via the mail or faxed. The principal or
superintendent’s ofcial log-in will be captured when the ballots are returned electronically. The voting period for electronic
ballots will be specied on the ballot itself and will provide a minimum of ten full days of voting. The period of voting and
the due date for paper ballots, when necessary, will be determined by the Executive Director. The Executive Director in the
CONSTITUTION
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 25
presence of at least one witness, shall tabulate the votes when paper ballots are being received. The results of the election
shall be ofcially approved at the next meeting of the Board of Directors and such changes as have been adopted will be
incorporated in the Constitution and By-Laws the following July 1 unless the effective date is specied in the amendments.
b. When circumstances in the judgment of the Board of Directors warrant it, the Board is authorized to call a special election
to amend the Constitution or By-Laws. Notice of a special election shall be distributed to member schools 30 days in
advance of the date the ballot will be distributed to the membership.
Section 2: APPROVAL OF ELECTION RESULTS
The Board of Directors shall decide the results of elections to amend the Constitution and By-Laws on the basis of the votes cast
regardless of the number of members in the Association voting.
Section 3: HOW AMENDMENTS MAY BE PROPOSED
Amendments may be proposed by the Board of Directors or by a petition. Requests for petitions for amendments shall be submitted
in writing by a member of a Board of Education, school’s administrative staff, faculty or approved coaches/directors no later than
October 15 and shall be worded by the Executive Director within 30 days of receipt, with nal acceptance of the petition from
the initiator. In order for a proposal submitted by petition to be certied for the Annual Ballot, the petition shall be signed by the
Principals or Superintendents of at least ten percent of the MSHSAA membership, and that total shall include signatures (Principal
or Superintendent) from at least ten percent of the member schools in at least ve of the eight geographic Board districts. The
written petition with original signatures (facsimile or stamped signatures are not acceptable) must be received by the Executive
Director no later than December 15. No petition request shall be submitted that nullies a previous amendment before that
amendment has been in effect for one year. In cases wherein two petitions concerning the same matter are presented to the Board
of Directors in accord with this section, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to choose which of the two shall be put to
vote, or to propose its own amendment incorporating the substance of both petitions.
RELATED QUESTION(S) AND ANSWER(S) BELOW
Q1: I would like to initiate a petition to amend a MSHSAA By-Law. How can I accomplish this?
A1: Article VI, Section 3 of the MSHSAA Constitution explains procedures for amending the Constitution or By-Laws. In
order to ensure the petition is worded properly and includes appropriate references to provisions to be amended, you are
required to contact the Executive Director in writing for assistance in wording and the number of signatures required for
a valid petition. Signed petitions, which shall contain original signatures on the Ofcial Petition Form, must be in the
hands of the Executive Director no later than December 15. Only a member of the member school’s Board of Education/
Governing Body, administrative staff, faculty, or an approved coach/director may request a petition to be worded.
Q2: We have a parent in our district who is opposed to a MSHSAA By-Law and would like to see it changed. Can that parent
contact the MSHSAA Executive Director and request a petition to be worded to initiate a change?
A2: No. Article VI, Section 3 species that only a member school’s administrative staff, faculty, approved coaches/directors or
Board of Education members may request a petition.
Section 4: LIMITATION ON BALLOTING
Balloting on an amendment shall be conned solely to those member schools which are controlled or restrained by the standing
wording of the specic Constitution section(s) or by-law(s) that the amendment is addressing, at the time of balloting. If Association
money is used or if the proposal pertains to eligibility for any interscholastic activity, all member schools shall have the privilege of
voting on the proposition.
RELATED QUESTION(S) AND ANSWER(S) BELOW
Q1: Our principal is interested in pursuing an amendment to a by-law that currently restricts all activities. He would like to
exclude a particular activity from the coverage of that by-law. Which schools would be allowed to vote on the Annual Ballot
regarding such an amendment? Would all schools vote or would only the schools registered in the activity that he wants to
exclude vote?
A1: All schools would vote on the amendment. The schools which are controlled or restrained by the standing wording of the
by-law (prior to the amendment) have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to change that coverage in any way. If
the proposed sport-specic amendment is passed by the membership at large, future amendments to that sport-specic
section would be voted on by only the schools registered in that specic sport (because they are the schools controlled or
restrained by that section) unless the change has a scal impact on the Association as a whole.
Page 26 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Section 5: ADDITION OF NEW ACTIVITIES
Any activity, sport or contest area may come into this Association upon a majority vote of the schools voting. The election must be
conducted in accordance with the provisions for amending this Constitution, but the effective date for such amendment shall not be
earlier than the beginning of the school year following the election unless the effective date is specied in the amendment.
Section 6: APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS
Amendments to standards of eligibility and regulations governing activities shall apply only to the activity area for which they were
intended.
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 27
BY-LAWS
of the
Missouri
State High School
Activities
Association
The member schools of the Missouri State High School Activities
Association have developed through their elected representatives,
and adopted through their constitutionally established procedure of
an Annual Ballot (one vote per member school, cast by the designee
of each local board of education/governing body [superintendent or
principal]) an essential interrelated group of eligibility requirements for
secondary school interscholastic competition and participation. These
essential requirements establish the threshold (minimum standards)
and boundaries (maximum limitations) for all qualified students within
the interscholastic program, and they work together to define and
preserve the fundamental nature of the program.
Page 28 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
SECTION 1:
SCHOOL
ESSENTIAL
BY-LAWS
1.1 Competition by Member Schools
1.2 Enforcement of Constitution and By-Laws
1.3 School Personnel
1.4 Cooperative Sponsorships
1.5 Summertime Dead Period
1.6 New Athletic / Activities Director Training
1.7 Heat Acclimatization
SECTION 1
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 29
1.1 COMPETITION BY MEMBER SCHOOLS
1.1.1 Allowable Competition for Members: No member school of this Association may compete in interscholastic activities with
any other school, or against any other team, that is not one of the following:
a. A member school of this Association [Art. III, Sections 1, 2]
b. An out-of-state school which is a member of a state athletic or activities association which is a full or affiliate member of
the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
c. An out-of-state school which is approved for competition against the member schools of a state athletic or activities
association which is a full or affiliate member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
d. An Affiliate Registered School of this Association [Art. III, Section 6]
e. A student team of a home-school association that meets the following criteria:
1. The home-school association is registered with the MSHSAA office for the applicable sport or activity.
2. All participants are students attending a home-school as defined in Section 167.031.2(1) & (2) of the Revised
Statutes of Missouri.
3. All participants have been home-schooled for at least the 365 consecutive days immediately preceding the
competition.
4. Home-schooled students taking more than two credit-bearing classes at a public or MSIP-exempt (private or charter)
school are not eligible to compete for a home-school association team in competitions against a MSHSAA member
school.
5. All participants have been confirmed as eligible by the home-school association on an eligibility roster that includes
full name, date of birth and home address of participants provided in advance of the contest to MSHSAA member
school opponents.
6. All participants in athletics shall meet the age requirements of By-Law 3.5.
7. All participants in activities are of junior high or high school rank, corresponding to the MSHSAA membership level of
MSHSAA member school opponents. (See By-Law 3.19)
8. No further adherence to the MSHSAA Constitution or By-Laws is required; however, a MSHSAA member school may
impose additional stipulations prior to voluntary competition against such teams.
9. Home-school association teams are not eligible for participation in the MSHSAA district and state series.
Editor’s Note: See alumni and school staff exceptions in By-Law 3.12.
Diagram 1.1.1 Allowable Competition and Their Requirements
This diagram outlines the types of competition that are allowed for member schools and shows the expectations for each category of
schools. Competition against any school is voluntary.
If your school is competing against THIS type of team… Here is what they must abide by:
MSHSAA Full Member School Required to adhere to all MSHSAA by-laws and policies
MSHSAA Afliate Registered School These schools must only adhere to six rules: Age rule,
Bona de student rule, students repeating a grade, use of
registered ofcials, use of NFHS sport rules, and nonschool
competition rules.
Full Member School of another State Activities Association Required to adhere to their state association’s by-laws and
requirements, which may differ somewhat from Missouri’s –
may be more restrictive or less restrictive.
Afliate/Approved Schools in other states What they may be required to adhere to will vary widely;
their requirements will most likely be less restrictive.
Home School Association Team Age rule, all must be bona de home-schooled students
(not part time students at a public/private school) and have
been home-schooled for at least a year, an eligibility roster
is required.
1.1.2 Special Education Schools: A member school of this association which is a special education school organized and
administered exclusively for the handicapped may compete with a team not specifically allowed in By-Law 1.1.1 by securing
permission from the Board of Directors.
1.1.3 Suspended Members and Post-Secondary Schools: No member school may compete with a school that is suspended
from the Association, or with a college/university team on which there are contestants above high school rank.
1.1.4 Board of Directors Action: The Board of Directors may take action to disallow participation against one or more specific
out-of-state schools which otherwise meet (a), (b), (c) or (d) above if circumstances deem it advisable, and/or in order to
protect MSHSAA member schools or the philosophy of interscholastic activities in Missouri.
Page 30 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Competition Questions & Answers:
Q1: May our high school basketball team scrimmage against a) an area community college team or b) against a local city
league team comprised of high school age players at any point during the academic year?
A1: No in both cases. A school team may compete only against teams representing a MSHSAA member high school or
teams from schools that are members of a like state association. The only exception to this would be an alumni game
when conducted in accord with provisions of By-Law 3.12. This restriction applies to so-called scrimmages as well as to
games.
Q2: We have a student at our school who is an outstanding distance runner. The student is desiring to participate in some
open events involving college age or older athletes at some of the invitational meets sponsored by colleges during
the spring sport season. Would this be permissible if our school track and field team is participating in the high school
portion of this meet?
A2: No. A school team and the school’s individual athletes, while representing the school, may only compete with and
against teams/students representing a MSHSAA member school or teams/students from schools that are members
of a like state association. High school students representing their school may not compete against non-high school
students except as provided in By-Laws 3.14 and 3.15.
Q3: Our MMEA (Missouri Music Educators Association) District conducts auditions for a junior high honor band and choir.
Is our school eligible to participate?
A3: Yes, provided your junior high school is a MSHSAA member school, and has registered in the activity of music and has
completed a music eligibility roster through the MSHSAA website. This would also apply to high school music programs
as well. No member school may participate in competitive and/or evaluative events against a non-member school, or a
member school that has not registered for the activity of music.
Q4: A local home-school association has asked our school to schedule a basketball game against their team. Is this legal?
What should we be aware of before scheduling such a game?
A4: If this is a bona de home-school association that has registered with MSHSAA, competition against one of its teams
could be legal. The membership has passed an amendment to allow member schools to compete against a student
team of a home-school association. There are several requirements for such teams, which are listed in By-Law 1.1.1.e.
You should request an eligibility roster, which the team is required to provide under the by-law. Please contact the
MSHSAA ofce to conrm the registration of the home-school association and review the requirements in the by-law
before scheduling any games.
1.2 ENFORCEMENT OF CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
1.2.1 Institutional Responsibility: The member school has the responsibility to educate students, coaches, directors and other
appropriate persons of the state association requirements delineated within the Constitution, By-Laws and Board Policies,
as adopted by the member schools, which could affect them. Further, the member school shall monitor its compliance with
all requirements contained within the Constitution, By-Laws and Policies and enforce the same in regard to the school staff,
students and other appropriate persons. The principal and/or superintendent of the school shall be responsible for the
enforcement of the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association and shall be the official representatives of the school.
1.2.2 School Responsibilities: The administration of the school shall be responsible for the eligibility of its students.
a. The principal and athletic/activities director at each member school shall be required to attend an annual rules meeting
(MSHSAA 101) regarding MSHSAA By-Laws, policies, and rationale for the rules.
b. When representative(s) of the school do not attend, the school shall give reason in writing to the executive director for the
representative(s) being unable to attend.
1.2.3 Minimum Penalties - Ineligible Student: The minimum penalty for using an ineligible student during the regular season
and in MSHSAA District/State Series is as follows:
a. Team sports (baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, and volleyball) or activities (Scholar Bowl). The school must:
1. Forfeit all contests involved.
2. Adjust its place in conference standings and/or relinquish its place in tournament standings.
3. Return team and individual awards.
b. Individual sports (cross country, golf, swimming, tennis, track & field and wrestling) or activities (Speech, Debate, Theatre
and Music). The school must:
1. Forfeit all events in which student(s) were involved.
2. Reduce team points (score) and adjust its place in conference standings, and/or its place in tournament standings.
3. Return awards of individual(s) and, if appropriate, after adjusting standings, team awards.
c. Tournaments (including MSHSAA tournaments): In a tournament, all contests in which the ineligible player has
participated shall be forfeited, but only the team or student most recently defeated shall be advanced on the bracket to
continue tournament play and for the remainder of the series.
d. The penalty of forfeiture may be waived in cases involving a student who transfers schools and evidence is provided
that the student, although ineligible, is permitted to participate as a result of false information being provided by his
previous school upon which the student was certified to have been eligible. Likewise, the Board of Directors shall have
SECTION 1
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 31
discretionary authority to determine whether a penalty is appropriate and the nature and duration of such penalty in cases
where a student is determined to be ineligible under the Transfer of Enrollment Standards because of school officials
failing to follow established procedures for certifying his/her eligibility and the student is later determined to be eligible in
all respects except for the administrative oversights.
e. In situations involving ineligibility under By-Law 2.2, Citizenship Requirements, the Board of Directors will review a
school’s compliance with By-Law 2.2.3.f. If the Board determines that the school meets the provisions of this section of
the Citizenship Requirements, the Board may consider rendering a penalty less than forfeiture of the contests in which
the ineligible student participated prior to discovery. Further, the student shall be penalized as described in By-Law 2.2.5.
1.2.4 Restitution Rule: If a student who has been declared ineligible is permitted to participate in interscholastic competition
because of a court restraining order and/or injunction against the school or MSHSAA and if such restraining order and/or
injunction subsequently is voluntarily vacated, stayed, reversed or finally determined by the courts not to justify injunctive
relief, one or more of the penalties outlined in By-Law 1.2.3 above may be taken in the interest of restitution and fairness to
other member schools.
1.3 SCHOOL PERSONNEL
1.3.1 Responsibility for Supervision: No individual student, team, or activities group shall be permitted to participate in
interscholastic events without being accompanied and supervised by a member of the school faculty or administrative staff of
the applicable member school. A school faculty member or administrator for the applicable member school must be present
at all events and practices in which cheerleaders participate whose primary responsibility is to supervise the cheerleaders.
It is not allowable for one faculty member from one school in a multiple high school/middle school district to supervise all
students of all schools of the multiple high school/middle schools districts under this provision.
Supervision Questions & Answers:
Q1: We only had one athlete qualify for the state track and field meet. Our coach will be unable to accompany her to the
state meet. May she participate if her parents take her to the meet without a school faculty member going with her?
A1: No. An individual student, team, or activities group shall not be permitted to participate in any interscholastic event
without being accompanied and supervised by a member of the school faculty who meets the minimum requirements to
be a head coach, or a member of the administrative staff.
Q2: If a coach is ejected from a contest by a game official and there is no faculty member from the school present at the
contest to assume his/her supervisory responsibilities on the bench, may the game continue?
A2: No. MSHSAA By-Law 1.3.1 provides that no team or activities group shall be permitted to participate in interscholastic
events without being accompanied and supervised by a member of the school faculty or administrative staff. If a
coach is ejected from a contest and there is no faculty member present to take over his/her coaching supervisory
responsibilities, the game shall be forfeited at that point.
1.4 COOPERATIVE SPONSORSHIPS
1.4.1 High School Cooperative Sponsorships: With the approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors, students from two or
three member high schools may be combined to cooperatively sponsor interscholastic activities provided such is necessary
to either have a sufficient number of students to support a program or will result in increased opportunities for students to
participate. The following terms and conditions govern all high school cooperative sponsorships:
a. Establishment of a cooperative program may be approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors provided both schools
can show need to the Board of Directors. Examples that may constitute need are: 1) insufficient numbers; 2) lack of
staff; 3) lack of a program; and 4) lack of facilities. Sport or activity classification shall be based on the combined official
enrollments of all schools involved in the co-op.
b. Sport-specific and activity-specific enrollment maximums will be set annually by the MSHSAA Board of Directors. If the
combined enrollments of the schools applying exceed the maximum for the sport or activity, the application will be denied.
c. Number of schools that may form a cooperative sponsorship (co-op) when other terms and conditions within the by-law
are met:
1. For Team Sports that require a standard line-up of 8 or more players: No more than three member high schools may
be combined to form a co-op.
2. For Team Sports that require a standard line-up of 7 or fewer players, as well as all Individual Sports and all
Activities: No more than two member high schools may be combined to form a co-op.
d. At the time of the application to form common participating group is made, one of the participating schools shall be
designated to administer the program.
e. The districts of the two schools must be contiguous or the two schools must be in the same public school district. The
borders of the entire public school district in which a non-public school is located will be used to determine contiguity for
purposes of a cooperative sponsorship that includes that non-public school (see item i also). Non-contiguous districts
that are isolated from a specific activity may request approval from the Board of Directors to form a cooperative program
if it will increase the opportunities for students to participate.
f. The cooperative sponsorship agreement must be for a minimum of one year. The cooperative agreement may be voided
at any time by mutual agreement of all co-oping schools with the approval of the Board of Directors. No other
Page 32 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
cooperative agreement in the same activity may be entered into with another school until the original one-year period
elapses.
g. In the event a cooperative agreement is voided prior to the seasonal deadline, each school may sponsor their own team
and shall be eligible for post season play in all sports/activities except football due to the nature of scheduling and district
assignments.
h. The cooperative agreement will be for a specific sport or activity. A school may have a cooperative agreement with one
school in a particular activity or sport and with another school in a different activity or sport.
i. In multi-school districts, the central administration must designate the school(s) that may request permission to
cooperatively sponsor programs in a particular sport or activity.
j. If a school (a contiguous public school or a non-public school located within the boundaries of a multi-school district)
wishes to co-op with a school in a multi-school district the superintendent of that multi-school district will determine which
of his/her schools will form the co-op with the non-district school. When co-oping in this manner, all sports and activities
must be cooperatively sponsored with the same school.
k. Applications for cooperative sponsorship must be made jointly by the boards of education of the involved schools and
submitted to MSHSAA no later than 14 days prior to the release of classifications/district assignments for the applicable
sport or activity. (See Dates to Remember and/or Board Policy)
High School Cooperative Sponsorship Questions & Answers:
Q1: My high school wants to form a cooperative sponsorship with High School A in football and a second cooperative
sponsorship with High School B in speech and debate. Is this possible?
A1: Yes, a school can form a cooperative sponsorship with another school in one activity and form a different cooperative
sponsorship with a different school in a different activity as long as the enrollment numbers for the two schools added
together does not exceed the maximum and provided they meet the other criteria.
Q2: Can our high school form a cooperative sponsorship with a school district that is not contiguous to our district
boundaries?
A2: Only if you have made requests to form a co-op with all contiguous school districts and have been turned down, can
you make a request to the MSHSAA Board of Directors for permission to co-op with a non-contiguous district.
Q3: Our school co-ops in basketball with a neighboring school. Both schools are more restrictive than the minimum
MSHSAA standards for academics, but our policies differ. Because of the differences, a student could be eligible by
our school standards and ineligible by the other school’s standards. Whose academic policy should we follow? How
should we determine academic eligibility for the students that play on this co-op team?
A3: Theoretically, all students that play on this co-op team should be under the same policies. Since these students
are competing with and against each other for positions on the team, the terms and conditions for participation and
eligibility should be standardized if at all possible. While each school has the right to set its own policies for its own
students, when it comes to a cooperative sponsorship, it may seem unfair to a student that has to sit out due to his
school’s policies when a teammate under the same scenario gets to play because he’s enrolled at the other school. It
is suggested that such policies be thoroughly discussed and clearly outlined when the co-op is agreed upon by the two
schools. Compromising on one standard policy for the co-op team(s) may eliminate team inequities and hard feelings.
If policies differ, you should notate in the co-op agreement how eligibility will be determined: a) the policy of the school
in which the student is enrolled will be used, or 2) students playing on the co-op team must meet whichever school’s
policy is the most restrictive.
Q4: Our school wishes to form a cooperative sponsorship with another school for girls softball, and we plan to play fall
softball and enter the championship series. a) May we also play spring softball? b) May we play spring softball as two
separate schools?
A4: a) Teams (individual teams or co-op teams) that play fall championship softball can play spring softball but may NOT
participate in the spring championship series. b) No, the rationale for co-op approval is that the two schools would not
be able to support a team without co-oping; therefore, if two schools co-op for softball in the fall, the co-op would be the
only option for spring competition. The two schools could not play spring softball as separate teams.
Q5: Our school wishes to form a cooperative sponsorship with another school for girls softball, and we plan to play spring
softball and enter the championship series. May either school play fall softball?
A5: No, schools registering for the spring championship series may NOT participate in the fall regular season or fall
championship series. Neither school, nor the co-op, could participate in fall softball in this scenario. Further, the
rationale for co-op approval is that the two schools would not be able to support a team without co-oping; therefore,
approval would not be granted for schools that are co-oping in one season of softball to play separately in the same
sport during the opposite season.
Q6: We cooperatively sponsor volleyball with our neighboring school. Sally attended the neighboring school last year
and played on the co-op team. This year Sally is transferring her enrollment to our school. How will her eligibility be
affected by the transfer since she will be playing on the same team as she did last year?
A6: As a transfer student, she will initially have no eligibility and you will need to le a Transfer of Enrollment form to request
some level of eligibility. Through that process you will receive a ruling regarding her eligibility for every sport, including
volleyball. There are no allowances or exemptions for eligibility on a cooperative sponsorship team following a transfer
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 33
because there has been a break in enrollment and a resulting change of schools, which triggers the transfer restrictions
outlined in By-Law 3.10.
Q7: We are co-oping basketball with a neighboring school next year. Our co-op application was approved in May. What
summer activities are the students of both schools able and unable to participate in together this summer?
A7: Enrolled students of either or both co-oping schools may participate in activities which fall under the denition of a
“contact day”; these may be either school-sponsored or non-school sponsored. Any such contact between a coach for
the upcoming school year (sport and gender specic) and an enrolled student at either school will count as a day of
contact toward the limit. Students may participate in conditioning and weight training activities only at their school of
enrollment. These activities do not count as contact and are restricted by residency (3.151.c).
1.4.2 Junior High School Cooperative Sponsorships: With the approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors, students from two
or more junior high schools may be combined to cooperatively sponsor interscholastic activities provided such is necessary
to either have a sufficient number of students to support a program or will result in increased opportunities for students to
participate.
a. Establishment of a cooperative program may be approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors provided all schools can
show need to the Board of Directors. Examples that may constitute need are: 1) insufficient numbers; 2) lack of staff; 3)
lack of a program; and 4) lack of facilities.
b. At the time of the application to form common participating group is made, one of the participating schools shall be
designated to administer the program.
c. Cooperative sponsorships may be entered into by Affiliate Registered Schools (ARS) and member schools; however, at
least one of the cooperating schools must be a member school. If a cooperative sponsorship includes an ARS, the ARS
must abide by all by-laws and regulations in the conduct of that sport or activity, and the ARS may not sponsor any other
separate team in that sport/gender.
d. At least one of the cooperating schools must be contiguous to all other schools participating in the cooperative
agreement, or the schools must be in the same public school district. The borders of the public school district in which a
non-public school is located will be used to determine contiguity for purposes of a cooperative sponsorship that includes
that non-public school. Non-contiguous districts that are isolated from a specific activity may request approval from the
Board of Directors to form a cooperative program with the nearest district if it will increase the opportunities for students
to participate.
e. The cooperative sponsorship agreement must be for a minimum of one year. The cooperative agreement may be
voided at any time by mutual agreement of all schools with the approval of the Board of Directors. No other cooperative
agreement in the same activity may be entered into with another school until the original one-year period elapses.
f. In the event a cooperative agreement is voided prior to August 1, each school may sponsor its own team/activity.
g. The cooperative agreement will be for a specific sport or activity. A school may have a cooperative agreement with one
or more schools in a particular activity or sport and with other schools in a different activity or sport.
h. In multiple-school districts, the central administration must designate the school(s) that may request permission to
cooperatively sponsor programs in a particular sport or activity.
i. If a school in one district wishes to join with a school in a multiple-school district in a cooperatively sponsored sport or
activity, the school must join with the nearest school in the multiple-school district that offers the activity.
j. Applications for cooperative sponsorship must be made jointly by the boards of education of the involved schools and
may be submitted to MSHSAA as needed. However, students may only practice or participate as a co-op after approval.
1.5 SUMMERTIME DEAD PERIOD
1.5.1 Summertime Dead Period: All member schools shall establish a summertime dead period for all MSHSAA-sponsored
activities which meets the requirements listed below.
1.5.2 Definition of the Summertime Dead Period: A period of defined length in which no contact takes place between school
coaches/directors of MSHSAA-sponsored activities and students enrolled in the member school, or who will be enrolled in
the member school during the next school year. Further, during the dead period school facilities are not utilized by enrolled
students in connection with any sport or activity governed by MSHSAA. The dead period is a “no school activities time”; no
open gyms, competitions, practices, conditioning, weight training; no activity-related functions or fundraisers, camps or clinics
at school facilities or sponsored elsewhere by the school; no coaches/directors or students may have planned contact other
than casual, normal community, non-activity contact. While there may be sports activities during this time, they must not
involve the school coach, the school or school facilities.
1.5.3 Duration: The dead period shall be nine consecutive days in length, and must begin on a Saturday and last through the
second following Sunday.
1.5.4 Summer Placement: Each school is responsible for setting a dead period for its athletics program and one for its activities
program. These dead periods may be concurrent or separate. The earliest possible dead period may be set to start no
earlier than the Saturday following the school’s last day of classes or the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, whichever is
later. The latest possible dead period would end on the Sunday prior to the first allowable high school fall practice (Sunday
of Standardized Calendar Week Number Six). This last possible dead period closes at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday of Standardized
Page 34 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Calendar Week Number Six to allow for a Fall Sport/Activity Parent Meeting to take place after 5:00 p.m. if desired by the
school.
1.5.5 Reporting: Each school shall report the dates of its summertime dead period to the MSHSAA office no later than April 1
each year.
1.5.6 School Facilities: Bona fide credit-bearing summer school courses taught by certified teachers in their curricular areas shall
be exempt from the ‘use of school facilities’ restriction if held during the dead period; however, no sport-specific classes (e.g.
Fundamentals of Basketball) may be held during the dead period.
Summertime Dead Period Questions & Answers:
Q1: We had originally set our Summertime Dead Period to start the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend; however, we have
now qualified for State Baseball. Can we still hold our Dead Period during this week?
A1: No. If a school qualifies for the state finals in a spring sport that ends on or after the Saturday of Memorial Day
weekend (track and field, tennis, baseball, girls soccer), and their dead period was scheduled during this week, the
school will need to adjust their dead period to a different week by contacting the MSHSAA office and publicizing the
change to its coaches, students and parents.
Q2: Our coaches are asking questions about what they can and cannot do during the summer dead period. How should I
advise them?
A2: You should first direct them to By-Law 1.5 and ask them to review the wording for themselves. The by-law basics are
self-explanatory. Another way to advise them is based on the “triangle approach.” If you think of three things (school
personnel, school facilities and school students) as the three vertices of a triangle, and cover up each vertex that is
involved in the activity they are asking about, this will assist them in determining if the activity is legal during the dead
period. If only one vertex is covered up (or involved), the activity would be legal. If more than one vertex is covered up
(or involved), the activity would constitute a violation of the dead period by-law. For example, students participating in
a basketball game where no school coaches are involved and which does not take place at any school facility would be
allowable. But taking a school team with school coaches to the Show-Me State Games would not be legal during the
school’s dead period.
Q3: Our local youth baseball teams, under the auspices of the Parks Department, use our school’s baseball field for their
practices and games during the summer. These youngsters are elementary school age (not of the age covered by
our MSHSAA membership). May we allow the Parks Department to continue to use the field during our school’s
“summertime dead period” or do we need to close the field altogether during that period?
A3: Because these youth participants are not covered by your MSHSAA membership (too young) and because the school
is not conducting this athletic event (the Parks Department is under a rental agreement), the field may continue to be
used for this purpose during the dead period. Please note that during the “summertime dead period” member school
facilities are not to be utilized by students who are enrolled or will be enrolled in the member school during the next
school year in connection with any sport or activity governed by MSHSAA.
Q4: We rent our school facilities to the local Legion Baseball program for practices and games for high school-aged players.
May this facility use continue during our “summertime dead period” or will we need to prohibit use during that week?
A4: Teams that include students enrolled at your school or who will be enrolled at your school next year may not use the
field for practice or competition during your dead period due to the outlined restrictions for this period. Other Legion
teams that do not include your current or upcoming students may continue to use your facilities during your dead period
should you choose to allow it.
Q5: Our summer school program begins the first week in June and concludes the second week of July. We have a
conditioning and weight training class. The class is open to all students, most of whom are our athletes. The class is
taught by our football coach. May we hold this class during our summertime dead period?
A5: Yes, if this is a bona fide credit-bearing summer school course and the coach is a certified teacher and teaching in his
curricular area. Since this course is not sport-specific, it would be allowable under the “school facilities” section above.
Q6: We hold a “Fundamentals of Basketball” class during our summer school P.E. program and our basketball coach
teaches this class. May this class take place, without modification, during our “summertime dead period”?
A6: No. Sport-specific classes are not allowable under the restrictions of the dead period because they involve school
facilities and enrolled students, and in many cases, school coaches as well. During the days of the school’s
summertime dead period, other non-sport-specific topics could be taught, such as health/nutrition and/or weight-
training, conditioning, etc.
Q7: Our town holds a Fourth of July parade and the marching band of several area schools participate in the parade. Our
school has set our “summertime dead period” overlapping the Fourth of July holiday and this event. a) Can our band
perform? b) Can the band director be present?
A7: Answer a) During the dead period, students could not be directed to attend or participate and no school equipment or
uniforms can be used, including musical instruments. Answer b) No, the band instructor could not have instructional
contact with enrolled students during the dead period.
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 35
Q8: During the summer, a local community group comprised of school alumni, families, and current band students take a tour
of a foreign country. This group is not affiliated with the school and participants pay their own way. During the trip, the
group goes to musical concerts and takes historical tours, but does not perform at all. Can our band director attend this
trip if it includes enrolled students and occurs during the school’s “dead period”?
A8: Yes. This is a social event and casual contact may take place. If a similar trip was being planned and the participants
were going to receive instruction or perform, the band director could not attend during the dead period.
Q9: Each summer our music director serves as the director for the musical for our local community theater. Rehearsals
usually begin in June and end with a performance in mid-July. The cast is made up of all ages and includes a few of our
high school students. If the “dead period” occurs within this time frame may our music director direct this performance?
A9: Your musical director may direct the performance; however, during the school’s nine-day summertime dead period he/
she could not provide any instruction to students who are enrolled or will be enrolled in your school next year.
Q10: Our high school sideline cheerleaders are also our competitive cheer team. Our cheerleading coach is also our “club
team” competitive coach. a) Can our competitive team still use our gym during the “dead period”? and b) Can our coach
still be active with the competitive team?
A10: Answer a) No. Since the two teams overlap and skills of both sideline and competitive cheer also overlap, neither team
could utilize school facilities during the summertime dead period. Answer b). No. Again, because of the overlapping
teams and overlapping skills of sideline and competitive cheer, the coach cannot instruct the students in either during the
school’s summertime dead period.
Q11: Our school has scheduled its dead period for the last possible week of the summer and it runs up to the first day of fall
practice. a) Can the coaches work on the football field and prepare it for the season? b) Can students assist in getting
the fields ready?
A11: Answer a) Yes, the coaches may prepare the field and facilities during this period. Answer b) No, the students may not
assist in the preparations.
Q12: May a school coach hold a youth camp during the summertime dead period for a high school?
A12: Yes, however, the youth camp would have to be held at a non-school facility and no students who are enrolled or will be
enrolled at that school could participate or assist with the camp. Further, no school game equipment or school-owned
personal player equipment or could be used.
Q13: If we hold our school dead period during the week before fall practice starts, may we hold a “lock-in” at school for our
football athletes where we eat pizza and watch movies (no football discussions)?
A13: Anything you schedule for athletes during your dead period defeats the purpose of the dead period. The dead period
concept was adopted by the membership in order to allow families a free week with no school activities so they might
be able to take a family vacation during this period, or simply have a break from the normal summer sports and activity
routine. While many activities that could be scheduled for Sunday night might be positive or worthwhile, most if not all
would be a violation of the dead period by-law, either by rule or by the spirit of the rule. Consider the legality of activities
in this manner: If the activity would be allowable on Wednesday night during your dead period, it would be allowable
on Sunday night. If it would not be allowable on Wednesday, it is not allowable on Sunday. The dead period ends at
midnight on Sunday night (other than in Week Six).
Q14: A local radio station is hosting a banquet this summer to recognize area citizens in a variety of areas. One of the award
categories is the “High School Athlete of the Year.” One male and one female will be selected for their accomplishments
during the prior school year and will receive an award, symbolic in nature. The banquet is scheduled to take place during
the summer, but hits on the dead week for our high school. If an athlete from our school wins this award and is invited to
attend the banquet, can he or she attend during the dead week? Could a school coach attend the banquet?
A14: As per the Amateur Standards (By-Law 3.6.2.e & f) such an event would need to first be approved by the school
administration, and the type of award to be received should be reviewed. If the awards are allowable and such approval
is given, the athlete could attend the event during the dead period. Although the award being given is connected to the
interscholastic program, the ceremony is not directly activity-related and it is not sponsored by or located at the school.
The goal of the dead period is to allow students and coaches to have a chance to have a family vacation or a week off
of activities. Obviously the banquet is optional, and is honoring past accomplishments rather than preparing athletes
or teams for an upcoming season. The athlete’s coaches could attend as well, and this would be considered “casual,
normal community, non-activity contact” as described in By-Law 1.5.2, Summertime Dead Period.
Q15: We set our dead period for the week after school was scheduled to be released. Now with snow days we will be in
school part of that week. Can we keep this as our dead period?
A15: No. Per the by-law, the earliest possible dead period may be set no earlier than the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend
or the Saturday following the school’s last day of classes, whichever is later. If you are in school that week, you will have
to push your dead period back to a different week. There is ample time to make this adjustment and notify everyone.
The April 1 due date for submitting dead periods takes such weather-related changes into account.
Page 36 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
1.6 NEW ATHLETIC/ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR TRAINING
1.6.1 New Athletic/Activities Director Training: An athletic/activities director who is in his/her first or second year in the position
of A.D. in the state of Missouri shall be required by his/her school to attend a MSHSAA A.D.’s Training Session at the earliest
opportunity after being hired.
1.7 HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION
1.7.1 Heat Acclimatization Period: For the health and safety of participants, member schools shall follow the Heat Acclimatization
Schedule as described below and as summarized in Diagram 1.7 for all fall sports. The Heat Acclimatization Schedule sets
forth a progressive system of early practices along with periods of rest. The goal of the Heat Acclimatization Period is to
increase exercise heat tolerance and enhance the ability to exercise safely and effectively in warm and hot conditions. This
period shall begin on the first day of practice or conditioning.
1.7.2 Heat Acclimatization Definitions: Some definitions of terms used in the Heat Acclimatization system can be found in other
sections of the MSHSAA Handbook, and are listed below:
a. A “day” is defined as a calendar day (12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.).
b. Recovery Period: A recovery period is defined as the time between the end of one practice or walk-through and the
beginning of the next practice or walk-through. During this time, students should rest in a cool environment, with no sport
-related or conditioning-related activity permitted (e.g., speed or agility drills, strength training, conditioning, or walk-
through). Treatment with the athletic trainer is permissible.
c. Fall Sports:
1. A junior high sport with a first practice date prior to Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 11 shall be
considered a fall sport for the purposes of heat acclimatization.
2. Definition of Practice: See By-Law 3.16.1
3. Definition of Conditioning Practice: See By-Law 3.16.2
4. Definition of Walk-Through: See By-Law 3.16.3
1.7.3 Limits and Requirements within Heat Acclimatization Period:
a. First Five Days: Only one practice may be held on each of the first five days of the Heat Acclimatization Period. Further,
one walk-through may be held after a rest period of one or more hours.
b. Practice Duration: Each individual practice shall last no more than three hours. Warm-up, stretching, and cool-
down activities are included as part of the three-hour practice time. Regardless of ambient temperature conditions, all
conditioning and weight-room activities must be considered part of practice. Note: Days on which athletes do not practice
due to a scheduled rest day, injury, or illness do not count toward the heat-acclimatization period, nor do they count as a
“conditioning practice.”
c. Walk-through Limits: A walk-through is not part of the three-hour practice period, can last no more than one hour per
day, and does not include conditioning or weight-room activities.
d. Double Practice Days: Two double practice days may not be held back-to-back; a double practice day must alternate
with a single practice day or a rest day. On a double practice day, a single practice may not exceed three hours, and
total hours of practice may not exceed five hours. A minimum of three hours of rest must be provided between the two
practices.
e. Required Rest Day: If practice occurs on six consecutive days, participants shall have one day of complete rest (no
conditioning, no practice, and no walk-throughs). Therefore, sixteen dates are required to complete the fourteen-day Heat
Acclimatization Period.
Editor’s Note: for Diagram 1.7:
1. Baseball and Softball catchers may wear protective gear for their safety and by rule, but must be allowed extra rest
and water breaks during the practice.
2. Field Hockey: On days 3-5 goalie can wear protective equipment with extended breaks.
3. Golf is excluded from the heat acclimatization schedule but must have 14 days of practice completed before
competition.
4. The preseason scrimmage is a practice and the time spent for this scrimmage counts towards the total hours of
practice in a day.
Diagram 1.7
Day Heat Acclimatization Practice Plan Sports Equipment//Helmets/Pads
1 One Practice per day (3 hours Total) 1 hour walkthrough after 1 hour of rest
in a cool environment
FB-Helmet only; SB and BB catchers
equipment allowed (Editor’s Note 1)
2 One Practice per day (3 hours Total) 1 hour walkthrough after 1 hour of rest
in a cool environment
FB-Helmet only; SB and BB catchers
equipment allowed (Editor’s Note 1)
3 One Practice per day (3 hours Total) 1 hour walkthrough after 1 hour of rest
in a cool environment
FB-Half-Shell* / blocking sleds / tackling
dummies only
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 37
4 One Practice per day (3 hours Total) 1 hour walkthrough after 1 hour of rest
in a cool environment
FB-Half-Shell* / blocking sleds / tackling
dummies only
5 One Practice per day (3 hours Total) 1 hour walkthrough after 1 hour of rest
in a cool environment
FB-Half-Shell* / blocking sleds / tackling
dummies only
*Please refer to By-Law 3.15.6.a for equipment denitions.
6-16 • Alternate a double practice day with a single practice day or a rest day
• Double Practice Day: 3 hour max per practice; 5 hour max total with 3
hour minimum rest between the two
• Single Practice Day: 3 hour max; 1 hour walkthrough after 1 hour rest
• Rest Day: During the preseason heat acclimatization period, if practice
occurs on six consecutive days, participants should have one day of
complete rest (no conditioning, walk-throughs, practices, etc.) Therefore,
16 days are needed to complete the 14-practice requirement
• On-Site Athletic Trainer: Arrange for the heat acclimatization period (days
1-16) if possible, but not required.
FB-All equipment / full contact
Heat Acclimatization Questions & Answers:
Q1: During the rst ve days of the acclimatization period may a school split up its one three hour practice into two 1½ hour
practices with an hour or more of rest between them, then take the required one hour rest period before having a one
hour walk-through?
A1: No. During days one through ve, a school may only conduct a single practice not to exceed three hours including
stretching and warm-ups. If a team practices for an hour and takes a half hour rest and water break they only have
an hour and a half left before the practice session must be concluded. Athletes are typically pushed harder during
shorter exercise sessions, causing a greater amount of total work load and exertion over two shorter practice sessions
than would be expected over one session. Intensity of exercise increases body temperature faster and higher, putting
athletes at risk for heat stroke. Exception: a golfer may exceed the time limit for a practice as it is not considered to be
an exertional sport.
Q2: On the second day of practice our full-back twisted his ankle and was seen by the trainer. On days 3-5 he came to
practice and watched from the sidelines. Do these 3 days count towards his conditioning requirements?
A2: No. In order for the days to be counted, athletes must be healthy and participating in the conditioning activities.
Simply being present at practice would not meet the requirement for conditioning. Further, in the fall, each athlete
must meet the 14 days of acclimatization before they may compete in a contest. If an athlete is unable to participate
in acclimatization with the rest of the team, the acclimatization limits and requirements would be in place for that
particular athlete until he is able to complete the acclimatization period.
Q3: Two of our soccer players moved into our school district late this fall and did not start practicing with the team until the
fth day of practice, nor were they involved in any practices with their former school. a) May they begin two-a-days
with the rest of the team on team practice day six? b) Would they be eligible to participate in the preseason interschool
scrimmage on Saturday?
A3: a) No. Each player must follow the heat acclimatization schedule. These players may only participate in a single
practice on each of their rst ve practice days. b) No. Each participant in the scrimmage shall have at least nine
individual days of conditioning practice prior to participating in the preseason inter-school scrimmage. Due to when
these players started practicing and the required rest day after six practice dates it is not possible for them to have
completed nine conditioning practices before the scrimmage.
Q4: During the 16-day acclimatization period we started a practice and at some point during the practice our athletic
trainer and administration deemed the weather conditions too severe to continue practicing outdoors. a) Can we
move our practice indoors? b) If we cancel the practice completely at this point will it count towards the conditioning
requirements?
A4: a) Yes, you may move the practice indoors. The time that has already been spent at practice will count towards the
total time allowed. The travel time to a new location will not be counted towards the time allowed. While indoors you
must include specic activities, drills and/or instruction involving physical activity designed to elevate the student’s level
of physical condition for the specic sport. b) It can only count towards the conditioning requirements if you are satised
that you have met the requirement to engage the student in specic activities, drills and/or instruction involving physical
activity designed to elevate the student’s level of physical condition for the specic sport.
Q5: We have several students who have missed practices during the first allowable week of fall practices and will not be able
to reach the 14-day conditioning practice requirement prior to the first contest if we do not provide make-up practices.
Is it permissible for coaches to hold additional practices over the weekends to allow these students to make up the
practices toward the conditioning requirements?
A5: Yes, as long as all aspects of the 16-day heat acclimatization guidelines are met. Each athlete must have a rest day
after 6 consecutive days of conditioning practice but this does not prevent the coaches from holding practices on more
than six consecutive days. Careful tracking of all individual students would be necessary.
Page 38 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
SECTION 2:
STUDENT
ESSENTIAL
BY-LAWS
2.1 Student Essential By-Laws - Introduction and Definitions
2.2 Citizenship Requirements
2.3 Academic Requirements
2.4 Semesters of Eligibility to Participate
2.5 Entering and Withdrawing From School
2.6 Undue Influence
2.7 Violation of By-Laws
2.8 Assumed Name
2.9 Local School Requirements
2.10 Post High School Graduates
2.11 Special Provisions for MSB and MSD
2.12 Pre-Participation Documentation Requirements
SECTION 2
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 39
2.1 BONA FIDE STUDENT
2.1.1 Bona Fide Student: Any student who represents his/her school in interscholastic activities, as defined below, shall be
a bona fide student enrolled as an undergraduate student of the school and shall meet all of the general standards of
eligibility outlined in Section 2, and referenced in By-Laws 3.3 and 4.1. For the purposes of interscholastic participation, a
student shall be considered bona fide at only one school at any point in time and may not represent any other school in an
interscholastic sport or activity, other than specified herein.
a. Bona fide Student Defined: A bona fide student is one who meets one of the following definitions:
1. Full-Time Attendance: A student who is enrolled in and regularly attending classes at the member school and who
meets the minimum academic requirements in By-Law 2.3.2 through full-time attendance at the school as per By-
Law 2.3.4.a.
2. Alternate Campus: A student who has established residency at the member school and whose official records
and primary academic transcript is housed and maintained at the member school, and who is accumulating credits
toward receiving a diploma from that member school, and meets the minimum academic requirements in By-law
2.3, but is attending classes at a non-member technical high school run by the member school’s school district or
accredited by DESE or a non-member alternative high school run or contracted by the member school’s school
district or accredited by DESE. Such students must meet all essential eligibility standards for participation.
3. Non-Traditional Options in By-Law 2.3: A student who is enrolled at the school, and confirmed to be meeting the
minimum academic requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through a non-traditional enrollment option as outlined in
By-law 2.3.4.b and 2.3.4.c.
b. Allowances: A bona fide student of one member school may represent a separate member school under the following
conditions only:
1. Overage 8th Grader (By-law 3.5.3): A bona fide 8th grade student enrolled at a junior high school and who is
overage per By-Law 3.5 may participate at the high school for which he/she would be eligible as a 9th grader if
approved by the high school.
2. Special Learning Center Enrollment (By-Law 3.10.3.a): A student who is a bona fide student in a MSHSAA
member special learning center may be eligible to represent the public school serving the district or attendance area
of the parents’ residency in any sport not sponsored by the school he/she attends.
2.1.2 Change in Bona fide Student Status: A change in the bona fide status of a student from one school to another must be
confirmed through the completion of a Transfer of Eligibility form and the approval process. See By-Law 3.10.
2.1.3 Participation of a Bona fide Student: Eligibility to represent a school in interscholastic activities is a privilege to be attained
by meeting the standards of eligibility cooperatively set by the member schools through this Association and any additional
standards set by a member school for its own students.
2.1.4 Interscholastic Activity Defined: An interscholastic activity shall be defined as any extra-class activity involving two or more
schools in which two or more students participate who are identified with their schools.
2.1.5 Penalty: The penalty for violation of By-Law 2.1 shall be ineligibility in all sports and activities for a period not to exceed 365
days from the last date of violation.
Essential By-Laws Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have a student that is enrolled full-time this fall and is playing volleyball. Her parents indicate that she will be
exclusively homeschooled for the spring semester, and our school is not going to approve credit as a Non-Traditional
Option 1 student for her during the spring. She wants to re-enroll full time next fall and play volleyball. Will she be
eligible?
A1: Not initially. She will not be a bona fide student at your school during the spring (By-Law 2.1 and 2.3.4); therefore, she
becomes a “transfer student” if she re-enrolls in the fall. As a result, her transfer eligibility will have to be addressed
before any eligibility can be determined. Further, she may not be academically eligible unless the school can accept
credit from the homeschooling onto the transcript for the spring semester.
Q2: One of our students will be a senior next year. She is planning to enroll full-time at a junior college in the area, and
wants to represent a different high school as a “Non-Traditional Option 1 student” and play sports. The other school
has agreed to place her junior college credits on their transcript so she can be a bona fide student. Will she be eligible
to play sports for that school?
A2: Not initially and possibly not at all. Eligibility under all of the essential eligibility standards will have to be confirmed first.
The student is a transfer student, so a Transfer of Eligibility request will have to be submitted to MSHSAA for a ruling,
and your school will have a chance to reply to it. Further, academic eligibility must be confirmed (80% requirement for
prior semester credits from your school and the same for the fall semester). It is probable that the student will either be
ineligible or have an eligibility restriction after making this change.
Q3: We have a number of students that are attending one or more of their classes on an alternate campus (i.e. a junior
college, our vo-tech school, our alternative school) but who are our students; meaning, our school holds their student
records and they will ultimately graduate and receive their diploma from our school. Are such students considered
bona fide students and able to represent us in interscholastic activities?
Page 40 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
A3: Yes. As long as you hold their records and transcript, and they are meeting all essential eligibility standards, they
would be considered a bona fide student at your school. For the purposes of interscholastic participation, a student
shall be considered bona fide at only one school at any point in time and may not represent any other school in an
interscholastic sport or activity, other than specified in By-Law 2.1.
Q4: We are a MSIP-exempt (private or charter) member school, and a few of our students take one or more classes
at the local public school (i.e. music, higher level math, etc.). We carry their student records and assume they will
ultimately graduate and receive their diploma from our school, but the public school also considers them enrolled and
holds a transcript for them. Where are they considered bona fide students and what school may they represent in
interscholastic activities?
A4: You will need to consider each student’s history first of all. When the student was first promoted into the 6th grade (first
year of interscholastic opportunity), most likely he/she was enrolled in only one school. That created bona fide status
at that school for interscholastics. As long as he/she remains enrolled at that school, and then progresses through
the feeder system, he/she would remain a bona fide student there. For the purposes of interscholastic participation, a
student shall be considered bona fide at only one school at any point in time and may not represent any other school in
an interscholastic sport or activity. If in your example of the part-time schedule at two member schools, a student asks
to drop their bona fide status with your school and move it to the other school for interscholastic participation, this would
constitute a transfer of enrollment, and the student’s eligibility would be affected. If assistance is needed in determining
bona fide status of a student, please contact the MSHSAA office.
Q5: We are an MSIP-exempt (private or charter) member school and do not offer wrestling but the public school of
residence for all of our students does offer wrestling. Can our full-time students participate at the public school in
wrestling: a) as a bona-fide student for our membership; b) as a Non-Traditional student; or c) as part of a cooperative
sponsorship we have entered into with the public school.
A5: A student is a “bona-fide student” at one school at a time and may only represent the school for which they are a bona-
fide student. As full-time students at your school, these students could not participate for the public school in scenarios
a and b. Scenario c is possible if all other eligibility standards have been met and the cooperative sponsorship
application is submitted and approved.
2.2 CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS
2.2.1 Citizenship: Students who represent a school in interscholastic activities must be creditable citizens and judged so by the
proper authority. Those students whose character or conduct is such as to reflect discredit upon themselves or their schools
are not considered “creditable citizens.” Conduct shall be satisfactory in accord with the standards of good discipline.
2.2.2 Law Enforcement:
a. A student who commits an act for which charges may be or have been filed by law enforcement authorities under any
municipal ordinance, misdemeanor or felony statute shall not be eligible until all proceedings with the legal system have
been concluded and any penalty (i.e. jail time, fine, court costs, etc.) or special condition of probation (i.e. restitution,
community service, counseling, etc.) has been satisfied. If law enforcement authorities determine that charges will not
be filed, eligibility will be contingent upon local school policies.
b. After a student has completed all court appearances and penalties, and has satisfied all special conditions of probation
and remains under general probation only, local school authorities shall determine eligibility.
c. Moving traffic offenses shall not affect eligibility, unless they involve drugs, alcohol, or injuries to others. (Editor’s Note:
If a traffic offense is accompanied by an act covered in letter a above, such as property damage, bench warrant, etc.,
eligibility will be delayed per letter a.)
2.2.3 Local School:
a. A student who violates a local school policy is ineligible until completion of the prescribed school penalties.
b. The eligibility of a student who is serving detention or in-school suspension shall be determined by local school
authorities.
c. A student shall not be considered eligible while serving an out-of-school suspension.
d. If a student misses class(es) without being excused by the principal, the student shall not be considered eligible on that
date. Further, the student cannot be certified eligible to participate on any subsequent date until the student attends a
full day of classes.
e. Each individual school has the authority to set more restrictive citizenship standards and shall have the authority and
responsibility to judge its students under those standards.
f. Each school shall diligently and completely investigate any issue that could affect student eligibility.
2.2.4 Expulsion: A student who is expelled from school because of disciplinary measures shall not be considered eligible for 365
days from the date of expulsion. An expulsion is prompt removal of a student from school following the conduct for which the
student is under discipline, whereby the student is not allowed to return to school until either an appeals process reinstates
the student or the duration is fulfilled. However, this period of ineligibility shall not apply to any student expulsion for conduct
otherwise protected by law which does not materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate
discipline in the operation of a school.
SECTION 2
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 41
2.2.5 Student Responsibility: Each student is responsible to notify the school of any and all situations that would affect his/her
eligibility under the above standards. If the student does not notify the school of the situation prior to the school’s discovery,
then the student shall be ineligible for up to 365 days from discovery, pending review by the Board of Directors.
Editor’s Note: See also By-Law 3.10.5, Eligible at Time of Transfer.
Citizenship Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have a student who was recently found guilty in our local court of driving while intoxicated. He was fined and
sentenced to ten days in jail to be served on the weekends over a period of five weeks. He has paid the fine and has
six days of the jail sentence yet to be served over the next three weekends. What is his eligibility status?
A1: In accord with By-Law 2.2, a student who is found guilty of a law violation shall not be considered a creditable citizen
until he/she has satisfied his/her fine and/or penalty. Thus, this student would not be eligible until he has served the six
days remaining on his jail sentence. Once he has served the remaining sentence, it would be up to your local school
administration to determine whether or not he has met all local requirements for citizenship eligibility.
Q2: We have two students who were involved in criminal activity. One student has been charged but a court date has not
been set. The other student is waiting for a charging decision by the prosecutor. School officials have received credible
information that both students were involved. However, each student is going to plead “not guilty” until the matter is
resolved. Should we allow them to play?
A2: No. It is important for local school officials to diligently check with law enforcement officials in such situations. Access
to credible information or student admission of involvement confirms the student does not meet the standards that are
necessary, and you should not allow the students to participate. Neither student should be considered eligible until all
matters have been concluded within the legal system and your school.
Q3: One of our students was found guilty of shoplifting. After paying restitution, the student was placed on probation with
special conditions. Is the student eligible for any activities while on probation with conditions pending?
A3: No. If the student is under a deferred prosecution, or on probation under a suspended execution or suspended
imposition of a sentence (SIS), the student must fulfill all special conditions of the probation such as jail time, payment
of a fine, restitution, community service, counseling, etc. before eligibility can be restored. After receiving evidence that
the student has fulfilled the special conditions of probation, but remains under general conditions of probation, the local
school authorities shall determine the eligibility for that student.
Q4: We have a student who was found guilty of an alcohol-related traffic offense. He has paid his fine and completed his
community service; however, as a condition of his probation, he is required to take part in the Substance Abuse Traffic
Offender Program (SATOP). Will the student be eligible before completing this program?
A4: No. Any special conditions of probation must be completed before eligibility may be reinstated. After the student
has fulfilled the special conditions of probation, but remains under general conditions of probation, the local school
authorities shall determine the eligibility for that student.
Q5: We have a student who was found guilty of a crime in juvenile court and assigned 30 hours of community service. Will
the student be eligible before completing the community service?
A5: No. Community service is the equivalent of an assigned sentence and must be completed before eligibility may be
reinstated.
Q6: A student at our school skipped classes on Friday for an unapproved “senior skip day.” This resulted in an unexcused
absence. May this student participate in our conference track and field meet scheduled on Saturday?
A6: No. By-Law 2.2 provides that a student having an unexcused absence may not be eligible to participate in a contest
until the student has once again attended a full day of classes. In this situation, the student must attend all classes on
Monday to re-establish eligibility.
Q7: We have a student who participates in wrestling. He has been suspended for three days from classes (out-of-school)
which fall on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. He is scheduled to wrestle on Thursday at the state meet. Is he
eligible?
A7: No. Days of out-of-school suspension are considered unexcused absences and the student must attend all classes on
Thursday to re-establish eligibility.
Q8: Our school has chosen not to re-enroll a student for next year due to ongoing behavioral and discipline issues.
However, we have allowed the student to nish the year and take nals at our school. Will the student have a period of
ineligibility at his new school for being asked to leave?
A8: Possibly. If the student was already ineligible for activities at your school due to citizenship and that period of
ineligibility had not been completed prior to the transfer, the period of ineligibility would need to be completed at the
receiving school. You will need to communicate these issues on your part of the Transfer of Eligibility Form that the
receiving school should submit if the student requests to play sports at the new school. If the student only participates
in activities, you should contact the receiving school and apprise them of the citizenship penalties. If the student
was considered eligible as per the citizenship requirements at your school, By-Law 2.2 eligibility would continue at
the receiving school. However, if a “Hardship Transfer” is requested by the receiving school, you should consider
indicating that the transfer was not a hardship due to the situation being within the student’s control (i.e. if the student
had exhibited better behavior, he would still be a student at your school). A receiving school always has the option to
Page 42 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
set citizenship eligibility in a more restrictive manner based on their policies if they have knowledge of the violations.
A sending school (your school) should be open and honest regarding violations of the citizenship standard. Being a
creditable school citizen is an essential eligibility requirement. Neither school should give a student an expectation of
condentiality in regard to transgressions if the student desires the privilege of participation in interscholastic activities.
Q9: Our school has very strict academic standards. We will not be re-enrolling a student due to the student not meeting the
school’s academic expectations. Will this be viewed as an expulsion?
A9: No, this situation does not meet the denition of an expulsion and the student would not be subject to citizenship
penalties for an academic-only issue. The student would, however, still be subject to the provisions of the residence
and transfer requirements in By-Law 3.10.
Q10: A student at our school violated one of our school’s citizenship policies for eligibility in activities. Before his disciplinary
penalties were completed, which included a period of ineligibility for sports, he transferred to another school. Will he be
eligible there?
A10: Not initially. As per By-Law 3.10.5, a transfer student must be eligible in all respects at the school from which he
transferred to be eligible at the new school. When a student transfers with the status of ineligible for disciplinary
reasons, the student retains that status at the new school for the same period as decreed by the former school.
Therefore, the student would, rst, have to complete that period of eligibility which you will need to communicate to the
new school. In addition, a transfer student must be deemed eligible by the MSHSAA ofce after a Transfer of Eligibility
request is led by the receiving school and responded to by the sending school (in most cases).
Q11: A student in our school was expelled for wearing a wristband protesting U.S. war involvement and refusing to remove it
when requested. There was no disruption of any class or work at the school. There were no threats or acts of violence
on school premises associated with the wearing of this wristband. Would expulsion of this student make the student
ineligible for 365 days under By-law 2.2.3?
A11: No. Such conduct would appear to be constitutionally protected expression which did not materially and substantially
interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of a school.
Q12: One of our students was ticketed in a moving trafc offense but neither drugs nor alcohol was involved and no injuries
were incurred. However, the student’s vehicle caused property damage in the accident. Is he eligible to participate in
activities before he pays for the damage and meets any other obligations that resulted?
A12: No, he is not eligible until all obligations are met. Property damage goes beyond a simple “moving trafc offense” and
the student will remain ineligible until all proceedings are concluded and any penalties or conditions of probation have
been satised as per By-Law 2.2.2.a.
Q13: One of our students received a speeding ticket. No drugs, alcohol or injuries were involved. However, the student
failed to pay the ne or appear in court, and a bench warrant has been issued. Is he still eligible to participate in
activities?
A13: No, he is not eligible. What started out as a moving trafc offense with no effect on eligibility has now grown into a legal
obligation and immediate ineligibility until all proceedings are concluded and any penalties or conditions of probation
have been satised as per By-Law 2.2.2.a.
Q14: One of our athletes recently received a ticket for “Failure to Yield” at a stop sign. No one was hurt, no property was
damaged, and no drugs/alcohol were involved. How does this offense affect his eligibility for school activities?
A14: As explained in By-Law 2.2.2, this offense would not cause any period of ineligibility for the student unless your school
has a more restrictive policy on such offenses than those listed in By-Law 2.2 Had drugs, alcohol, or injuries to others
been involved, the student’s eligibility would have been affected by the incident.
Q15: One of our students was charged with property damage. The case was transferred from state court to municipal court.
The city prosecutor has indicated that he will dismiss the charge before court adjudication if the student will make
restitution and perform community service hours. Will the student be eligible before paying restitution and completing all
community service?
A15: No. If dismissing a charge or not ling a charge hinges upon the student paying restitution and/or completing other
sanctions such as community service, these requirements are the equivalent of an assigned sentence by a court and
must be completed before eligibility may be reinstated.
Q16: We recently were notied that one of our students was arrested and charged for criminal activity that occurred several
months ago. The student has been representing the school in basketball in the meantime and has played in several
games. Shouldn’t the student have reported this to us? Now what do we do?
A16: Yes, the student should have notied the school of the situation, and due to the lack of self-reporting, the student is
ineligible for up to 365 days from discovery (rather than the date of the offense). Any penalties the student receives
after all proceedings with the legal system have been concluded must be served rst. Schools should discuss this
requirement with students at preseason meetings and encourage them to be forthcoming for their sake and the sake of
teams, which are required to forfeit contests in which the ineligible student participated.
SECTION 2
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 43
2.3 ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
2.3.1 Statement of Philosophy -- Participation in high school activities is a valuable educational experience and should not
be looked upon as a reward for academic success. Students with low academic ability need the educational development
provided through participation in activities as much as students with average or above average ability. Activity participation
should be for all enrolled students making appropriate progress toward graduation and otherwise in good standing. Each
local board of education is encouraged to establish criteria to ensure that students who are participating in MSHSAA activities
are satisfactorily progressing toward meeting the local graduation requirements.
2.3.2 Grades 9-12 Requirements: A student in Grades 9-12 must meet the following requirements in order to be academically
eligible to participate in interscholastic activities:
a. Semester Prior to Participation: The student shall have earned, the preceding semester of attendance, a minimum of
3.0 units of credit or have earned credit in 80% of the maximum allowable classes in which a student can be enrolled in
the semester, whichever is greater, or a student must have made standard progress for his or her level the preceding
semester in a special education program for the handicapped approved by the Missouri State Department of Education
which, though un-graded, enrolls pupils of equivalent age.
b. Semester of Participation: The student shall currently be enrolled in and regularly attending courses that offer 3.0 units
of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credits which may be earned, whichever is greater; or a student must be
enrolled in a full course at his or her level in a special education program for the handicapped approved by the Missouri
State Department of Education which, though un-graded, enrolls pupils of equivalent age.
c. 80% Credit Requirement: The calculation of the credit requirement described in a-1 and a-2 above for all enrolled
students at the school shall be based on the maximum allowable classes in which a student can be enrolled at the
member school during the normal school day due to the academic system that the member school has selected (7-hour
day, block schedule, etc.) Credits earned in school-sponsored “extra” classes taken beyond the normal school day may
be used toward academic eligibility. Internet classes offered by and at the member school and which are completed
no later than the close of the semester with credit placed on the student’s transcript can be counted toward academic
eligibility. (See also By-Law 2.3.4 regarding other courses that may be utilized.)
d. Entry into 9th Grade: A beginning 9th grade student shall have been promoted from the 8th grade to the 9th grade for
first semester eligibility.
e. A student must be making satisfactory progress towards graduation as determined by local school policies.
DIAGRAM 2.3 (a): SAMPLE HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC SCHEDULES
Academic Schedules Credits Earned must equal 3.0 or 80%, whichever is GREATER
Six-period day (.5 each) Must pass 6 of 6 (3.0)
Seven-period day (.5 each) Must pass 6 of 7 (3.0)
Eight-Block schedule (.5 each) Must pass 7 of 8 (3.5)
Four-Block schedule (1.0 each) Must pass 4 of 4 (4.0)
Ten-Block schedule (.5 each) Must pass 8 of 10 (4.0)
DIAGRAM 2.3 (b): COLLEGE COURSE HOUR EQUIVALENCIES
College Course Hours High School Units of Credit
Three Hour Course .5 Unit of Credit
Five Hour Course 1.0 Unit of Credit
2.3.3 Grades 9-12 Trimester System: A student attending a school on a trimester schedule must earn the following credits in
order to earn and maintain his/her academic eligibility. The student must be enrolled in and regularly attending classes during
each trimester which will allow 2 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credits to be earned, whichever is greater.
This same academic requirement must be met during the trimester preceding participation. Like students on a semester
system, a student on a trimester system shall be eligible or ineligible based upon both achievement in the preceding trimester
and enrollment/attendance during the current trimester. An incoming freshman need only be promoted from the 8th grade to
the 9th grade for eligibility in his/her first trimester of the 9th grade.
2.3.4 Grades 9-12 Enrollment Options for Academic Eligibility: The following options are available to students in order to meet
the requirements of By-Law 2.3.2.a and b above.
a. Traditional Option: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through being enrolled and attending
classes full-time at the high school.
b. Non-Traditional Option 1 – Transcripted Credits: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2
through meeting ALL of the following:
1. The student is an enrolled student of the high school, but all or some of the courses/credits are not taken at the local
high school (virtual, post-secondary, work study, etc.),
2. All credits attempted/earned are placed on the high school transcript,
Page 44 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
3. All classes must be completed by the high school’s close of the semester, as per By-Law 2.3.11, in order for those
classes/credits to be considered toward activity eligibility.
c. Non-Traditional Option 2 (Public Schools Only) – Seat-Time + Non-Transcripted Credits: A student may meet the
requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.2 through meeting ALL of the following:
1. The student is an enrolled student of the public high school of residence, as defined in By-Law 3.10, and is taking a
minimum of two credit-bearing, seat-time classes for a minimum of 1.0 units of credit at the high school, and
2. The high school administration confirms after a full academic review that the student is further enrolled in courses
taken outside of the school which bring the student up to the academic credit requirements outlined in By-Law
2.3.2 (80%). Each local school will determine its own oversight, standards, and criteria for approval of such outside
courses/credits, as well as the procedures to determine success/credit confirmation for academic eligibility for
the current and following semester. It is not necessary that such confirmed credits be placed on the high school
transcript, but may be listed, at the school’s discretion.
3. All classes/assignments must be completed by the high school’s close of the semester, as per By-Law 2.3.11, in
order for those classes/credits to be considered toward activity eligibility.
d. Transfer of Enrollment based on Changes in Bona-fide Student and Academic Status: Any student whose
enrollment status changes from being a non-bona fide student (not meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the 9-12 Enrollment
Options) to being a bona fide student (meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the 9-12 Enrollment Options) would be considered
a transfer student (see By-Law 3.10.4), and ineligible to represent a member school until a transfer of eligibility form is
filed and an eligibility ruling is rendered.
2.3.5 Grades 9-12 Summer School: Secondary school-sponsored summer courses may count toward maintaining senior high
academic eligibility for the FALL semester provided the following requirements are met:
a. The counting of secondary school-sponsored summer school credits must first be approved by the local school
administration.
b. Credit earned for the summer school course is placed on the student’s school transcript and counts towards graduation.
c. The course must be a class identified by the local school board/governing body as required for graduation/promotion
requirements.
d. Only electives that are taken in one of the four core content areas (language arts, mathematics, science, and social
studies) may be counted toward this requirement of academic eligibility.
e. Secondary-school sponsored summer online courses that meet the specifications of By-Law 2.3.4.b (placed on the
transcript) may be counted if they are completed and passed before July 31.
f. No more than one credit earned in summer school shall count toward maintaining academic eligibility.
2.3.6 Grades 6, 7 and 8 Requirements: A student in Grades 6, 7 or 8 must meet the following requirements in order to be
academically eligible to participate in interscholastic activities:
a. Grading Period Prior: A “grading period” is a period no less than six weeks and no greater than nine weeks where
progress is determined and is reported to students/parents. A student must have been promoted to a higher grade or
a higher level in special education at the close of the previous year. However, any such student who failed more than
one scheduled subject, or failed to make standard progress in special education, shall be ineligible the following grading
period regardless of promotion to the higher grade. (However, see also item c below).
b. Grading Period of Participation: The student shall be currently enrolled in and regularly attending the normal course of
study and number of courses for that grade or must have enrolled in a full course at his or her level in any public school
special education program approved by the Missouri State Department of Education which, though ungraded, enrolls
pupils of equivalent chronological age.
c. Entry into 6th and 7th Grade: Part a above shall not apply to a student promoted for the first time into the 6th or 7th
grade prior to the first day of classes for eligibility in the first grading period of the year.
2.3.7 Grades 6, 7 and 8 Enrollment Options for Academic Eligibility: The following options are available to students in order to
meet the requirements of By-Law 2.3.6.a and b above.
a. Traditional Option: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.6 through being enrolled and attending
classes full-time at the junior high school.
b. Non-Traditional Option 1: A student may meet the requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.6 through meeting ALL of the
following:
1. The student is an enrolled student of the junior high school, but all or some of the classes are not taken at the school
(virtual classes, online classes, work study, etc.),
2. All classes attempted are graded and placed on the student's junior high transcript/school records, and a grade card
is issued by the school the student intends to represent in one or more activities,
3. All classes must be completed by the close of the school's grading period, as per By-Law 2.3.11, in order for those
classes/grades to be considered toward activity eligibility for the following grading period.
c. Non-Traditional Option 2 (Public Schools Only) - Seat-Time + Confirmation of Classes: A student may meet the
requirements outlined in By-Law 2.3.6 through meeting ALL of the following:
1. The student is an enrolled student of the public junior high school of residence, as defined in By-Law 3.10, and is
taking a minimum of two traditional seat-time courses, and
2. The school administration confirms after a full academic review that the student is further enrolled in courses taken
outside of the school which, together with the two seat-time courses, bring the student up to a "full load" for the
school. Each local school will determine its own oversight, standards, and criteria for approval of such outside
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 45
courses, as well as the procedures to determine success/grade confirmation for academic eligibility for the current
and following grading period. It is not necessary that such confirmed grades be placed on school records or the
student's transcript/school records, but may be listed, at the school's discretion.
3. All classes/assignments must be completed by the junior high school's close of the grading period, as per By-Law
2.3.11, in order for those classes/grades to be considered toward activity eligibility.
d. Transfer of Enrollment based on Changes in Bona-fide Student and Academic Status: Any student whose enrollment
status changes from being a non-bona fide student (not meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the grades 6, 7 and 8 Enrollment
Options) to being a bona fide student (meeting By-Law 2.1 and one of the grades 6, 7 and 8 Enrollment Options) would
be considered a transfer student (see By-Law 3.10.4), and ineligible to represent a member school until a transfer of
eligibility form is filed and an eligibility ruling is rendered.
2.3.8 Junior High/Middle School Summer School: A local school district may reinstate the FIRST grading period eligibility of a
student being promoted to the 8th grade who has failed more than one class but no more than three classes if the student
passes the appropriate number of core classes through secondary school-sponsored summer school, as described below,
and provided the following requirements are met:
a. Only core classes (science, math, social studies and communication arts) may count toward reinstatement of first grading
period eligibility.
b. The counting of summer school classes (seated or online/virtual) must first be approved by the local school
administration.
c. The grade earned for the summer school course is placed on the student’s school transcript or records.
d. A student who has failed two scheduled subjects must pass at least one core class through secondary school-sponsored
summer school; a student who has failed three scheduled subjects must pass at least two core classes through
secondary school-sponsored summer school.
2.3.9 Fifth Day Requirement - Gaining Eligibility: A student who was academically ineligible the preceding semester (high
school) or grading period (junior high) but meets the academic standard at the close of that semester (high school) or
grading period (junior high) becomes eligible the fifth day classes are attended in the succeeding semester (high school)
or grading period (junior high). Exception: If an interscholastic contest is played before the formal opening of school and a
student has become academically eligible for the fall semester/grading period and is eligible in all other respects he/she may
be eligible to participate under this provision provided the student is properly enrolled in school.
2.3.10 Fifth Day Requirement - Losing Eligibility: A student who becomes academically ineligible shall lose the privilege to
represent the school the fifth day classes are attended in the succeeding semester (high school) or grading period (junior
high). Exception: If a student becomes academically ineligible for the fall semester (high school) or first grading period
(junior high) he/she is ineligible for all activities beginning with the first event.
2.3.11 Incomplete at Close of Semester: Credit earned or completed after the close of the school’s semester shall not count as
having been earned that semester, except in case of illness verified by a physician. This rule is automatically waived in case
a student fails to complete the required units of credit in a given semester because of his being drafted or being called to
service in the National Guard or military service.
2.3.12 Alternative Schedules: The Board of Directors shall have the authority to determine the academic standards students shall
meet in a school which does not have a traditional two-semester school year. Any changes approved shall be equitable for all
students.
Academic Requirement Questions & Answers:
Q1: Sally did not complete the required academic work in her science class to achieve a passing grade at the close of first
semester. However, due to circumstances involved (other than illness) she was given an “incomplete” and allowed
to complete additional work late. She has now completed this required work, and we have changed her grade and
granted credit for the class. May we now consider her academically eligible for second semester, starting with the date
the grade was changed?
A1: No. The academic standard requires that all credit earned or completed after the close of the semester shall NOT
count as having been earned that semester, except in case of illness verified by a physician. The student had not
earned or completed the credit at the close of the semester, so this change in grade will not change her eligibility status
for second semester; she will remain ineligible.
Q2: Our school has an attendance policy where students’ grades are lowered at the conclusion of the semester if they have
been excessively absent. John would have received credit in all of his classes and met the Academic Standard at the
end of first semester, had it not been for his poor attendance record. Based on excessive absences, his grades were
lowered. His grade was low enough in math that he received a failing grade after the application of the attendance
policy. Based on our six hour a day schedule, John did not receive the required number of credits to maintain his
academic eligibility for second semester. John appealed through our standard procedure and was ultimately granted a
passing grade in math and this credit appears on his transcript. Since this credit was not received “at the close of the
semester” as is required in the Academic Standard, is he eligible or ineligible for activities second semester?
A2: Once such credit is granted, the student would be academically eligible for second semester. Unlike a situation where
a student has failed to do the appropriate academic work during first semester and is given an “incomplete” and an
option to complete further work in order to gain credit (see ruling outlined in prior question), this student has met the
Page 46 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
academic requirements of the class to receive credit and a non-academic school policy has prevented credit. If the
school, based on further information or through an appeals process, etc. determines that credit shall be granted, such
credit can be granted retroactively, and the student would be considered academically eligible once credit is placed on
the transcript. If the grade reduction is not reversed (no appeal or alteration), the student would remain academically
ineligible for the duration of second semester due to not meeting the minimum academic standard.
Q3: Why do we need to identify our “normal school day”?
A3: You must identify your normal school day in order to initially calculate the 80% required to determine academic eligibility
for activity participants. The 80% rule is based on your normal school day. Please review Diagram 2.3 to assist you in
recognizing the credits required of your students as per the 80% rule for your academic system.
Q4: How should our high school determine our “normal school day”?
A4: Your normal school day is based on the maximum number of credit-bearing classes that a student can take during
a semester during your publicized school day. Your academic system (regular day, block system, alternating block
system, etc.) along with the ‘names’ of your periods (1
st
hour through 7
th
hour or 1
st
block through 4
th
block, etc.) will
allow you to identify your normal school day. A ‘zero’ hour is not a part of your normal school day; rather, it is an option
for students to either earn extra credit within a semester or replace a class within the normal school day.
Q5: Our school has an eight-period day, and students may take credit-bearing classes in each of the eight periods.
Therefore, in order to meet the academic standard, our students must pass seven classes out of eight (3.5 units of
credit). One of our athletes took A-Plus for one period, for which we do not offer credit. He failed another class, so
he only received 3.0 units of credit. Is this student ineligible, or may we calculate this student’s eligibility based on a
seven-period day because the 8th period class does not offer a chance for credit?
A5: The student is ineligible under the academic standard. Your school’s calculation of 80% is a standard calculation for
ALL students based on your normal school day. Your normal school day is eight periods for credit and all students must
earn 3.5 units of credit out of the maximum possible of 4.0 to be academically eligible.
Q6: Our school is on an eight-block schedule. The majority of our students take eight classes for 4.0 units of credit per
semester. However, we have two scenarios where students are prevented from taking eight classes: a) some students
have to travel to a vocational campus for classes and the travel time involved prevents them from having a full schedule
of eight classes, and b) students who are receiving special services have a tutoring period for no credit that they are
required to attend. How will we need to address academic eligibility for these students?
A6: For these specific and defined circumstances, you will calculate the 80%/3.0 requirement separately for only these
students that are specifically prevented from taking the full course of classes due to programs in which they are officially
enrolled by the school. Such students must attempt/earn 80% of the maximum number of credits they have available
due to their program (seven classes/3.5 units of credit) (minimum requirement of 3.0), which would require passing six
of seven classes and earning 3.0 units of credit out of 3.5, at a minimum. Scenarios or programs other than the two
specifically listed here should be reviewed by the MSHSAA staff for an interpretation prior to making such a change in
your school’s calculation of 80%. Please note: The minimum requirement is 80% of maximum allowable or 3.0 units
of credit, whichever is GREATER. Therefore if a student is ever prevented from taking/passing at least six classes, he/
she will NOT be eligible under this by-law.
Q7: Our school is on a four-block schedule, but our students have an opportunity to take a class on an alternating basis
with a study hall that would allow them to earn a ½ unit of credit. How many credits must a student in our academic
schedule earn to meet the 80% requirement rule?
A7: If the maximum number of credits your students can earn in a semester is 4.0 credits, they must earn 80% or more.
In a typical four-block system all classes are worth one full unit of credit, which would require students to earn credit
in four out of four (since earning credit in three out of four would only equate to 75%). If there is an opportunity for a
student to earn ¼ unit of credit or a ½ unit of credit rather than taking classes that are worth one full unit of credit, as
long as they meet or exceed 80%, they would meet the academic standard. [Examples: 3.25 = 81.25% and 3.5 =
87.5%]
Q8: A student recently transferred to our school from a neighboring school district. The student was academically ineligible
at his/her previous school, which is on a ten-block schedule as the student earned only 3.0 units of credit. Our school
is on a seven-period day and, as a result, the student would be considered academically eligible with the 3.0 units of
credit. Is the student presently academically eligible at our school?
A8: No. The MSHSAA academic standard requires that a student must earn 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum
possible credits whichever is higher for the school of attendance. Even though the student did earn 3.0 units of credit,
which is all that is required at the receiving school, the student would not be eligible as he/she did not earn 80% of the
maximum credit possible for the student at the time. Thus, the student would not be academically eligible.
Q9: In an effort to comply with provisions of Public Law 94-142 for inclusion we have “mainstreamed” several students
who have learning disabilities. In some classes, they are not able to meet the same academic standards as their
classmates. How is their eligibility determined?
A9: In order for these students to be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics and activities they must receive
passing grades in courses offering a minimum of 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable credit whichever
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 47
is greater for the semester. Each school is responsible for establishing academic requirements and grading policies
to effectively accommodate students who have been identified with having a disability in accordance with provisions
of P.L. 94-142. The school district has two options with respect to grading policies. First, the IEP committee may
determine that the student will be required to meet the same academic requirements and grading policies as any other
student in the class. When such a determination has been made, no modifications to grading will be made, and the
student will be expected to maintain academic eligibility for interscholastic athletics and activities. The second option is
for the IEP committee to determine that a modification of the academic requirements or grading policies is necessary
to reflect the needs of the student and his/her disability. In this situation, the modifications may include alterations in
the type of assessments to be given the student, the number of such assessments given a student, the number of
items upon assessments given a student, the amount of time the student will be allowed to take the assessment, etc.
The IEP committee may also determine that grades will be determined on the basis of the student’s progress towards
achieving specific goals and objectives from the IEP rather than standard assessments given other students. If this type
of modification is made, the IEP committee is responsible to specify the amount of progress which will be necessary
to document that standard progress is being made by the student. Note: Inclusion of activities on the IEP as an
educational service is not appropriate.
Q10: We have a student who is academically ineligible the first semester. Our first semester ends on January 19 and the
second semester begins on January 22. We have a basketball game scheduled for Saturday, January 20. When may
the student begin competing in interscholastic basketball contests?
A10: In accord with MSHSAA By-Law 2.3.9, if this student meets the academic requirement at the close of the first semester,
the student becomes eligible the fifth day classes are attended the second semester. In this specific case, the student
would become eligible to participate in interscholastic contests as of Friday, January 26. Conversely, a student who
is eligible the first semester but who fails to pass courses offering 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum allowable
credit whichever is greater that semester may compete until the fifth day of classes of the second semester. Using the
semester dates above, a student in this situation would become ineligible as of Friday, January 26. (This school may
not allow an ineligible player to compete after January 26 even if grades are posted later.)
Q11: We have an 8th grader who was promoted to the 9th grade. However, the student failed three (3) courses second
semester of the 8th grade. Will this student be eligible first semester of his/her 9th grade year?
A11: Yes unless the school chooses to be more restrictive. The Academic Standards require the student to have been
promoted from 8th grade to 9th grade with no further prerequisite academic requirements. For the student’s second
semester all eligibility standards apply. Thus, the student must earn 3.0 units of credit or 80% of the maximum
allowable credit whichever is greater during the first semester of the student’s freshman year.
Q12: We have a student at our school that took Algebra 2 last year in the spring and earned credit with a C letter grade. He
would like to re-take the class this fall for a better grade. If we allow this, will this re-take class count toward academic
eligibility for sports and activities?
A12: No. He has already earned credit in the class and earning a better grade will not expand the total number of credits on
his transcript. Therefore, that class cannot count as any credit in the calculation of the 80% requirement for the current
semester. If he retakes the class, he will need to be in an extra class or two to insure he is enrolled in classes that can
earn him the sufficient number of new credits that meet the school’s 80% in the current semester.
Q13: Our school offers the Missouri Option (formerly GED Option) Program. If a student is participating in this program is he/
she eligible to participate in interscholastic activities under the jurisdiction of MSHSAA?
A13: Whether a student participating in the Missouri Options Program is eligible under By-Law 2.3 depends on the way
the individual school sets up their program. The student must be enrolled in a combination of school classes, outside
classes, and/or MO Options credit-bearing course work and/or credit-bearing work study which meets the provisions
and minimums listed in By-Law 2.3.4. The student will most likely be classified as a Non-Traditional Option 1 or Option
2 student, depending upon local school decisions and policies. Please follow the guidance regarding those options and
the requirements for each. All students (all three options) must meet the 80% requirement.
Q14: We have a student that is transferring in this fall and wants to play volleyball. Besides the transfer form prerequisite we
must complete, we are trying to determine her academic eligibility for the fall season. In the fall, she is going to be a:
a) full-time enrolled student, b) a Non-Traditional Option 1 student, c) a Non-Traditional Option 2 student. How do we
review and confirm her prior semester’s credits for academic eligibility this fall?
A14: All three academic enrollment options require that the student is enrolled at your school and has a school transcript.
Therefore, you must review her prior classes/credits and determine if you can accept transfer credit. The review of prior
semester credits (By-Law 2.3.2.a) must be able to confirm that the minimum of 3.0 units of credit, or 80% of what was
attempted, whichever is greater, has been achieved and that amount of credit must appear on the transcript. Only with
scenario letter “c” will the semester review of classes/credits change after she’s been your student for a semester.
If the student is accepted at your school as a non-traditional option 2 student, you may not be placing all credits that
are achieved during her first semester at your school on her school transcript. However, all classes/credits must still
be approved and validated under local school policy to confirm that she meets the 80% requirement each and every
semester.
Page 48 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Q15: Would a student that is enrolled for 4 hours in junior high school and homeschooled the rest be eligible for cheer try-
outs in the spring? The student will be fully enrolled next year during cheer season. The school does not have a “non-
traditional education policy” in place and she is not seen under 2.3 as a bonafide student currently, but she is “enrolled”.
A15: Yes, try-outs are considered practice, and students must be “enrolled”, but not necessarily “eligible”.
Q16: We have a student at our junior high who is meeting the academic standard through the MoCAP option and his work in
several classes is self-paced. If he nishes all requirements for a certain course during rst quarter and does not have
a replacement course second quarter, is he academically eligible for sports during second quarter?
A16: If the student will be given grades for both rst and second quarters for that class, the student would be academically
eligible. If the student will receive no grade for second quarter, the class opening could leave the student academically
ineligible due to being short classes, and this would then also effect third quarter eligibility.
Q17: At our junior high, we are set up only for semester grades only. How should we handle the determination of academic
eligibility since the junior high academic standards do not utilize a semester grading system for eligibility?
A17: The academic standard for the junior high level is based on grading periods, that can be no less than six weeks in
length, and no more than nine weeks in length. So in order to conrm academic eligibility for your student participants
in activities, you must set up a system to gather grades for a period of time that ts within those parameters. Most
schools in this situation create a procedure to gather a progress report of grades from teachers at the nine-week mark.
Q18: One of our students is going to be attending junior college next semester, and we are going to be placing credit for
these classes on the student's high school transcript. Do we need to follow the "College Course Hour Equivalencies"
chart shown in By-Law 2.3 in assigning credit for each class?
A18: As long as you are approving the student's academic eligibility as a Non-Traditional Option 1 student, and you are
placing all credit received on the high school transcript, you may determine the amount of credit you are going to place
on the transcript for each junior college class. However, if the student is taking two or more high school classes, and
you are not placing the junior college credits on the high school transcript (Non-Traditional Option 2) you MUST use
the equivalency chart to calculate credit attempted for the semester for academic eligibility purposes. Only if the high
school is evaluating the college classes and granting appropriate credit on the transcript, may you stray from the chart
for academic eligibility.
Q19: We recently had a local homeschooled student request to become a bona de student at our school this upcoming year
through Non-Traditional Option 2 in the Academic Requirements, in order to play a sport with us. This is the rst time
this has been requested at our school. What do we need to have in place to consider it, and/or allow it?
A19: You should prepare a School Board Policy (or use a sample provided by MSBA, etc.) to address this area, and
include the guidelines and timeline that will govern the allowance at the local level. There are a number of things to
consider when putting your policy in place, and those should be clearly outlined in the nal policy, which then needs
to be approved by your school board before accepting Non-Traditional (1 or 2) Students. Here is a link to a resource
document that will assist you in putting your policy together: Link to Non-Traditional Guidelines
2.4 SEMESTERS OF ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE
2.4.1 Semesters - Grades 9-12: A student shall not participate in more than four seasons in grades 9-12 in any interscholastic
activity. A student shall have only eight consecutive semesters (four consecutive years) of eligibility in high school, in
which he/she may participate in one season per year in an activity, and these eight consecutive semesters shall begin on the
twentieth (20
th
) day of the first semester a student enters the 9th grade or the first interscholastic contest in which the student
participates, whichever occurs first. A student who participates in any part of an interscholastic event or contest shall count
such as a season of participation. A student who applies for, is granted, and leaves school any time after the junior year to
take advantage of an early release program shall no longer be eligible for interscholastic competition even though he or she
later returns to school. Editor’s Note: Exception - Baseball and softball have two seasons per year in which a student may
participate as listed in By-Law 3.29.6.
2.4.2 Semesters - Grades 6, 7 and 8: A student is eligible for only TWO SEMESTERS in each grade of junior high, (6th, 7th and
8th grade), beginning with the first semester of entrance in each grade. A student who is repeating a grade is not eligible.
Junior High students are limited to one season per year per sport/activity.
Semesters Questions & Answers:
Q1: We just had a girl transfer to our school from a state which sponsors girls swimming during the school fall sport season.
Our school sponsors girls swimming in the winter. May this girl compete with our swimming team making it her second
swimming season during the same school year?
A1: No. MSHSAA By-Law 2.4 places a limit on the number of seasons in which a student may participate during a single
school year and during the first eight consecutive semesters of high school. A student shall have only one season of
eligibility per sport per year. Therefore, the new student may not compete with the school swimming team but may
practice if approved in advance by the school administration.
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 49
Q2: How are semesters of participation determined in the following situations? a) Last year one of our students participated
in an out-bound foreign exchange program during what would have been the student’s senior year of high school. The
student has returned this year to complete the required coursework to graduate; b) A student dropped out of school at
the end of the fall semester of the student’s 9th grade year and returned to school at the beginning of the fall semester
the next school year; we still consider the student a 9th grader. c) A student has returned to school after withdrawing
from school for one year (during his/her senior year) due to medical reasons?
A2: A student shall have only eight consecutive semesters of high school eligibility. It is important to note that this is a
‘running clock’ and shall begin upon the student’s first entry into the 9th grade and is not suspended while the student
is not enrolled in school. a) The student has no semesters of eligibility remaining as the student’s last two semesters
of eligibility expired while the student attended school abroad. b) This student has six semesters of eligibility remaining
upon returning in the fall (including the fall semester) provided the student has met all other MSHSAA eligibility
requirements. c) The student has no semesters of eligibility remaining as the student’s last two semesters of eligibility
expired while the student was withdrawn for medical reasons.
Q3: We have a student that has met all of the graduation requirements at the semester break. She would like to take
advantage of the “early release program” cited in By-Law 2.4 and withdraw from school to enroll in a local university and
start on her collegiate softball career. She will return and graduate with her class in May. Is she eligible to run track and
field with our high school team this spring?
A3: No. A student must be a bona fide student at the high school that they represent and must meet all eligibility
requirements and be enrolled in and regularly attending classes, at the member school, which meet the minimum
academic requirements in By-Law 2.3. The “early release program” mentioned in By-Law 2.4 refers to students who are
still enrolled at a member school but are let out early each day to work at a job for which they receive high school credit.
Q4: May a junior high school student who is repeating 6th, 7th or 8th grade participate in interscholastic activities?
A4: No. A student is eligible for only two semesters in each of the 6th, 7th and 8th grades beginning with the first semester
of entrance in each grade. Assuming the student does not fail more than one subject during the second semester of the
year he/she is repeating and is promoted at the end of that year, he/she would be eligible the following semester.
Q5: Our school plays in the championship season of softball held in the spring (so we are not allowed to play softball in
the fall at all). We are receiving a transfer student over holiday break who played softball for a school that has their
championship season in the fall. If her transfer request is approved and she is ruled eligible, can she play spring softball
for us?
A5: Since she has completed a championship season in softball, she would be ineligible to participate with your school in
districts or the state series; however, she would be eligible to play with your school’s team during the regular season in
the spring. Had she stayed at the sending school, she could have played spring regular season softball, but could not
have participated in post-season.
2.5 ENTERING AND WITHDRAWING FROM SCHOOL
2.5.1 Entering School: “Entering school” for the purpose of eligibility consists of regular enrollment and registration for classes and
attendance in classes.
2.5.2 First Eleven Days: A student must have ENTERED SCHOOL WITHIN THE FIRST ELEVEN SCHOOL DAYS of the
semester in which he/she is competing. This rule is automatically waived in case a student is prevented from entering high
school within the required time limit because of service with the National Guard, United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine
Corps or Coast Guard, provided that the student enrolls in school within thirty calendar days after he/she receives his/her
discharge. A student transferring from a school district which has a school year beginning in September to a district which
starts in August becomes eligible upon the change of residence and enrollment in a school in that district, provided he/she
meets all other requirements.
2.5.3 Withdrawal: In case of withdrawal, if withdrawal occurs on or after the twentieth school day of the preceding semester,
a student is ineligible for one complete semester; if withdrawal occurs before the first twenty school days of the semester
have elapsed, that student will not be considered as having been in attendance that semester provided he or she has not
participated in interscholastic activities during this period. Editor’s Note: This applies only to those students who drop out of
school altogether before the twentieth school day of a semester. It does not apply to students who transfer to another school
during a semester and continue their attendance, including nontraditional education.
Entering and Withdrawing Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have a girl who moved with her parents to our district in September. She enrolled at our school on the fifteenth day
of the semester. Can she be eligible to represent our school in interscholastic activities during the first semester she is in
attendance here since she did not enroll here within the first eleven days of the semester?
A1: Yes, provided she attended school in the district from which she is moving within the first eleven days of the semester. If
the student was not attending the previous school within their first eleven days, she is not eligible first semester.
Page 50 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
2.6 UNDUE INFLUENCE
2.6.1 Undue Influence: To maintain a proper relationship between the academic purposes of schools and their interscholastic
activities programs, all members of the Missouri State High School Activities Association must refrain from recruitment,
inducement or other forms of persuasion and undue influence which would encourage a student to enroll in a school primarily
for interscholastic activities purposes.
2.6.2 Description of Undue Influence: What constitutes undue influence shall be determined on a case-by-case basis. Undue
influence may, if primarily used to encourage or facilitate participation in interscholastic activities, include but not be limited to:
a. The offer or acceptance of money, room, board, clothing or other valuable considerations to a student, or a student’s
parent or guardian, including but not limited to:
1. transportation to and/or from school by any school official;
2. provision for free or reduced rent for a parent or guardian;
3. offer or payment of the moving expenses of a parent or guardian.
4. compensation related to name, image, or likeness (NIL) by any persons or group connected directly or indirectly with
a member school (including but not limited to alumni associations, booster groups, similar organizations, collectives,
etc.).
b. Waiving or reducing tuition for any student to be certified as eligible for interscholastic activities, without establishing and
following a plan submitted by the school and approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors which includes, but is not
limited to, the following:
1. statement of philosophy and policy concerning the reduction or waiver of tuition;
2. procedures used to determine the qualifications for tuition waiver or reduction; and
3. description of how the waiving or reducing of tuition is equally available and applied to students in similar
circumstances.
c. The payment of tuition by someone other than a student’s immediate family or a financial aid program not approved by
the MSHSAA Board of Directors. Immediate family includes:
1. Parents of the student as defined in By-Law 3.10.1.a.
2. Direct relatives of the student, by blood or marriage, verifiable by public records.
d. The offer or acceptance of remuneration for work in excess of the amount regularly paid for such service.
e. The offer or acceptance of school privileges or considerations not normally granted to other students.
f. Any inducement to get a parent, guardian or student to change residence for interscholastic activities purposes.
g. The contacting of a student(s) in another school by any person or group connected, directly or indirectly, with a member
school (including but not limited to alumni associations, booster groups or similar organizations), and attempting to
persuade or induce that student(s), primarily for interscholastic activities purposes, to attend the inducer’s school.
1. Exception: Persuasion or encouragement for a student to attend a particular junior high or high school by a school
administrator or an approved interscholastic coach at that school is not undue influence if that student lives within
the residence boundaries (3.10.1.d) of that junior high or high school and is enrolled and attending the lower school
(elementary or middle/junior) managed and funded by that junior high or high school’s district or system and which
feeds directly to that junior high or high school.
2.6.3 Penalty for Student(s) and/or School(s) Involved:
a. School Offense: The attempt to unduly influence a student to enroll in a school or transfer from one school to another
by any person or group connected, directly or indirectly with a member school (including but not limited to faculty, staff,
students, coaches, parents of students, graduates, alumni associations, booster groups and similar organizations, etc.),
may require the school concerned to forfeit participation in the district and state tournament(s) for the ensuing series
competition. Further, the offending school’s membership status in the Association shall be jeopardized and shall result in
other such action under the Board Policy on Administrative Penalties for Rule Violations as the Board of Directors deems
appropriate.
b. Student Offense: The enrollment of a student in a school, or the transfer of a student from one school to another,
because of undue influence shall cause the student to forfeit eligibility at the school concerned for a period not to exceed
the remainder of his/her high school career and not to exceed 365 days at the member school from which the student
transferred or, for an incoming freshman, the school(s) the student was eligible to attend under the Promotion Standard in
MSHSAA By-Law 3.10.4.b.
Undue Influence Questions & Answers:
Q1: Can our coaches go to our feeder Middle School and hand out camp brochures? Can they talk to the 8th graders (9th
graders in the fall) during those visits about summer contact days?
A1: Yes, your coaches can go to your direct feeder schools within the school district and talk about camps and contact
days. They can also send fliers to schools about camps being offered and the schools can put information in their
announcements and interested people can come pick up the information at your school. Remember that your camps
(for 9th graders to be) are only for enrolled students; therefore, the coaches could put together an information package
for the counselors to distribute when students enroll and register for high school.
Q2: There is a student that attends the middle school in our school district, which directly feeds our high school, who is a
very gifted athlete. He has told us that during his summer sports events the last couple of years, a) parents of students
that attend other high schools, b) coaches connected to other high schools, c) students that attend other high schools,
SECTION 2
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 51
approached him and asked where he was going to high school and told him he should consider coming to (their) high
school. d) He also said that a number of coaches wearing apparel labeled with High School names and mascots would
come up to him and shake his hand in between games and tell him how well he was playing. Would this be considered
acceptable behavior since he will be an incoming freshman and has the choice to attend any high school under the
Promotion exception within the transfer rules, or would this be considered “undue inuence” or recruiting?
A2: In all four examples, this would be a violation of the undue inuence by-law and should be reported as an ofcial
complaint. No student should be encouraged to attend a school for athletic or activity purposes. The only exception to
this is outlined in By-Law 2.6.2.g.1 – administrators or approved coaches at the high school the student is already on
track to attend may encourage a student to “stay.” Even though the contact described in the examples may be attering,
it is inappropriate in the educational environment of interscholastic sports and activities. School coaches wearing school
apparel who hang around non-school sports venues should refrain from communicating with athletes. Even if such
contact was innocent, it gives all onlookers an impression of recruitment.
Q3: This spring, our school is hiring a football coach for next fall. This particular coach currently coaches a youth non-school
football team. Some of the students on this team are 8th graders this year and will be attending our school next year.
Will this cause any type of violation?
A3: Yes, if he does not discontinue that coaching contact immediately. As per By-Law 3.1.2 and 3.1.3, he must discontinue
coaching when he and the school agree that he will be their coach next year (even if a contract is not offered or nalized
until later). Even doing so may not prevent an allegation of undue inuence by another school or individual. Such a
scenario puts a school in a vulnerable position to try to defend against a claim of undue inuence.
2.7 VIOLATION OF BY-LAWS
2.7.1 A student shall not violate any of the rules contained in the By-Laws of this Association pertaining to the activity area
concerned.
2.8 ASSUMED NAME
2.8.1 A student shall not participate under an assumed name.
2.8.2 The penalty for violation of By-Law 2.8 shall be ineligibility in the activity concerned for a period not to exceed 365 days from
the date of violation.
2.9 LOCAL SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
2.9.1 Any member school shall have the authority to set any additional eligibility requirements, which are more restrictive, that it
deems advisable.
Local School Requirements Questions & Answers:
Q1: May a school set any additional eligibility requirements which are more restrictive than the MSHSAA eligibility
standards?
A1: Yes. MSHSAA standards are adopted by a vote of member schools and are considered to be minimum standards. A
member school may establish more restrictive eligibility requirements.
Q2: Does MSHSAA allow for Sunday practices?
A2: This is a local school decision. The by-laws do not prohibit Sunday practices or contests.
2.10 POST HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
2.10.1 A student shall not have graduated from a four-year high school or its equivalent. Any student graduating during the final
week of a semester shall be eligible to participate in any game or games played during said week, the final week terminating
at midnight on Saturday. However, a student may play in a MSHSAA tournament series although the student may have
graduated any time in May preceding the tournament.
2.11 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE MISSOURI SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND THE MISSOURI SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
2.11.1 The essential requirements of eligibility in By-Laws 2.1 through 2.10.1 may be waived by the Board of Directors for the
Missouri School for the Blind when in competition only with other schools for the blind provided such competition is governed
by the standards adopted by the North Central Association of Schools for the Blind. The standards contained in By-Laws
2.1 through 2.10.1 shall be applied in all other competition. Except for the Age Standard, the MSHSAA Board of Directors is
authorized to waive provisions of the By-Laws to accommodate programs of the Missouri School for the Deaf and the Missouri
School for the Blind that are otherwise restricted because of the nature of the handicap of the students involved.
Page 52 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
2.12 PRE-PARTICIPATION DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
2.12.1 Pre-Participation Annual Documentation Requirements: The following subjects are addressed in the Pre-Participation
Form(s) which must be completed with signatures of acknowledgement, and submitted by each student and student's parent(s)
annually prior to being allowed to practice in a sport or activity:
a. Interim Medical Update
b. Emergency Contact Information
c. Parent Permission and Healthcare Coverage Verification
d. Student Agreement
e. Concussion Education Acknowledgement
f. Risk and Injury Disclosure
[Editor's Note: See also By-Laws 3.7, 3.8, and 4.1]
2.12.2 Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility Form: A Medical Eligibility Form that verifies completion of a physical examination of
a student is required for students participating in all sports and various activities every other year, as explained in Section 3
(Athletics) and Section 4 (Activities). [Editor's Note: See also By-Laws 3.8, 4.2.10, and 4.5.4]
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 53
SECTION 3:
ATHLETICS
BY-LAWS
Page 54 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
SECTION 3:
ATHLETICS BY-LAWS:
3.1 Athletics Coaching Requirements
3.2 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
3.3 Student Eligibility Requirements for Athletics
3.4 Certification of Eligibility
3.5 Essential Age Requirements
3.6 Amateur and Award Requirements
3.7 Parental Permission
3.8 Physical Exams and Healthcare Coverage
3.9 Conditioning Requirements
3.10 Residence and Transfer Requirements
3.11 College/University-Conducted Events
3.12 School District Events and Programs
3.13 Sport Participation and Contact - While Participating in an Interscholastic
Sport Season During the School Year
3.14 Sport Participation and Contact - When Not Participating in an Interscholastic
Sport Season During the School Year
3.15 Sport Participation and Contact - During the Summer
3.16 Athletics Definitions
3.17 Initiating Contests
3.18 Tournament, Meet, and Multiple-Game Event Sanction Regulations
3.19 Limits on Competition
3.20 Provisions for Girls and Boys Programs
3.21 Senior High School Sports Regulations (through 3.28)
3.29 Senior High School Sport Seasons and Contest Limitations
3.30
Junior High School Sports Regulations, Sport Seasons and Contest Limita-
tions
SECTION 3
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 55
3.1 ATHLETICS COACHING REQUIREMENTS
3.1.1 School Requirement to Contract an Athletics Coach: For each sport in which a school registers with MSHSAA, a school
must contract at least one head coach who meets the requirements for the head coach level, and the school must have the
coach approved by MSHSAA. This requirement must be met prior to any interscholastic competition in that sport. This By-
Law shall apply to both junior high and high schools.
3.1.2 Denition of Athletics Coach: An athletics coach is an individual who provides any type of instruction specic to a sport,
and/or has instructional sports contact with enrolled students of the school. An individual who is unpaid, but provides sports
instruction as described above, is an athletic coach and must meet the same requirements as a coach that is compensated,
and be approved, prior to contact with students. For the purposes of the by-laws (coaching contact, etc.), an athletic coach is
considered to be a school coach for the entire academic school year, despite the duration specied in the contract.
Editor’s Note 1: A coach for a cooperative sponsorship is a “coach” for all schools in the co-op, and is restricted from
contact with all students outside of the season during the school year.
Editor’s Note 2: See Q/A to follow regarding when contact restrictions would begin, in relation to selection of a coach.
3.1.3 School Coaches Instructional Contact Restrictions:
a. During the designated school sport season: Instructional and conditioning contact with enrolled students is allowed
and expected; however, coaching of non-school competitions in which enrolled students are allowed to participate during
the season (individual sports: By-Law 3.13.2.a.2 and 3) is not allowed during the school sport season.
b. During the school year, but outside of a designated school season for which the coach is contracted and
approved to coach: No instructional sport contact is allowed in any sport with any student who currently attends or will
attend the member school the following year, other than contact specically allowed elsewhere in the by-laws. Coaches’
restrictions are based on the level for which the coach is contracted and approved, high school or junior high school.
c. Summer: See By-Law 3.15 for description/number of contact days allowed per sport the coach is contracted to coach.
3.1.4 Coach - Requirements and Approval: Prior to coaching, any athletic coach must meet the requirements for the applicable
“level” of coaching that is intended, be contracted by the school for the role, and must be approved by the MSHSAA ofce.
Editor’s Note: The MSHSAA approval process takes place on the membership side of the MSHSAA website. When
completed, approval status for each athletic coach will appear on the school’s “Coaches and Directors” page.
3.1.5 Coaching Levels and Minimum Requirements:
a. Head Coach – Minimum Requirements: As per By-Law 3.1.1, each interscholastic team must have a head coach who
meets the following requirements and who, then, may ll the duties and obligations of a head coach for the team, both
under the sport rule code and in regard to the by-laws.
1. A Four-Year College Degree OR Serving as an Approved Assistant Coach (3.1.5.b) for a minimum of TWO school
years.
2. A Professional Teacher’s Certicate OR NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course (online) passed prior to coaching.
This course is not sport-specic. This is a one-time requirement.
3. Successful completion of a Sports First Aid/CPR/AED training course prior to coaching and renewed every two
years. (See options in Diagram 3.1)
4. Background Check including Sex-Offender’s Registry Clearance prior to coaching.
5. Board of Education or Board of Governance Approval prior to coaching.
6. Successful completion of a Concussion in Sports Course, and review of current concussion information yearly.
7. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Sport-Specic Online Rules Review and Test each season.
8. Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to approval and renewed
every two years.
9. Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevision/Recognition, which must be renewed every two years.
Editor’s Note: The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own.
b. Approved Assistant – Minimum Requirements:
1. Completion of 60 or more college credit hours prior to coaching OR serving as a Provisional Assistant for THREE
school years.
2. A Professional Teacher’s Certicate OR NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course (online) passed prior to second
year of coaching. This course is not sport-specic. This is a one-time requirement.
3. Successful completion of a Sports First Aid/CPR/AED training course prior to second year of coaching and renewed
every two years. (See options in Diagram 3.1)
4. Background Check including Sex-Offender’s Registry Clearance prior to coaching.
SENIOR & JUNIOR HIGH
By-Laws 3.1 through 3.20 apply to both Senior High Schools and Junior High Schools
By-Laws 3.21 through 3.29 apply only to Senior High Schools
By-Law 3.30 applies only to Junior High Schools
Page 56 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
5. Board of Education or Board of Governance Approval prior to coaching.
6. Successful completion of a Concussion in Sports Course, and review of current concussion information yearly.
7. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Sport-Specic Online Rules Review and Test each season.
8. Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to second year of coaching
and renewed every two years.
9. Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition prior to the second year of coaching, which
must be renewed every two years.
Editor’s Note: The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own.
c. Provisional Assistant - Minimum Requirements:
1. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Sport-Specic Online Rules Review and Test each season.
2. Prior to the rst season of coaching, the following must be completed: [*=One-Time Requirement]
(a) NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course*
(b) NFHS Coaching "Sport" Course for any sport for which an individual will be coaching if available*
(c) Background Check including Sex-Offender's Registry Clearance prior to coaching*
(d) Board of Education or Board of Governance Approval prior to coaching*
(e) Successful completion of a Concussion in Sports Course* and/or review of current concussion information
annually.
(f) Assignment of a Mentor Coach (3 years of experience or more).
i. Preseason meetings which include, but are not limited to, specic discussion of school policies,
equipment responsibility, behavior expectations, procedures to follow in case of an emergency, etc.
is satisfactorily completed.
ii. In-season meetings to discuss athlete or parent interactions
iii. Post season meetings to evaluate coaching experience
3. Prior to the second season of coaching, the following must be completed:
(a) NFHS Teaching Sports Skills Course*
(b) A Sports First Aid/CPR/AED training course, which must be renewed every two years
(c) Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training, which must be renewed every two years
(d) Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two
years.
4. Prior to the third season of coaching, the following must be completed:
(a) NFHS Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behavior Course*
(b) NFHS Engaging Effectively with Parents Course*
(c) NFHS Protecting Students from Abuse*
(d) NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior*
Editor's Note: Specic course requirements are subject to change due to availability or new course development.
d. Student Teacher – Minimum Requirements: A student teacher serving in an approved teacher preparation program
through a college or university and who is teaching at a school may serve as an assistant coach if the following minimum
requirements are met.
1. Completion of 60 or more college credit hours prior to coaching.
2. Successful completion of a Concussion in Sports Course, and review of current concussion information.
3. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Sport-Specic Online Rules Review.
3.1.6 Sport-Specic Online Rules Review Requirement: Each school shall be responsible for requiring all athletic coaches to
complete a MSHSAA Online Rules Review in their respective sport. A coach who has not completed the applicable online
rules review is not eligible to coach in the state series. When a coach fails to complete the online rules review, the school
shall justify the deciency in writing to the MSHSAA ofce.
3.1.7 Concussion Course Requirement: State law requires that all coaches review the concussion information yearly. [Editor’s
Note: This information can be found on the MSHSAA website under the Sports Medicine Tab, and the NFHS offers a free
course (Concussions in Sports—What You Need To Know) through their website (see Diagram 3.1).]
3.1.8 Football Equipment Training: Each member school registered in football is responsible for training at least one football
coach for each level of registration (i.e. high school and junior high school) in the proper tting of football equipment.
Editor’s Note: Training shall be completed prior to issuing football equipment for half-shell or full contact activities.
3.1.9 Violations: An egregious or intentional violation of the MSHSAA By-Laws or the rules/regulations of the sport may cause the
Board of Directors to withhold approved status.
SECTION 3
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 57
Diagram 3.1
Requirement Provider Website
Fundamentals of Coaching NFHSLearn www.nfhslearn.com
For the below health & safety requirements, a member school (district) may arrange group trainings
by securing a qualied individual in each particular requirement area.
Sports First Aid Training*
1. NFHSLearn
2. American Heart Association
3. American Red Cross
4. ProTrainings
5. Coaches' Tool Chest
1. www.nfhslearn.com
2. www.heart.org
3. www.redcross.org
4. www.protrainings.com
5. www.coachestoolchest.com
CPR/AED Training*
1. NFHSLearn
2. American Heart Association
3. American Red Cross
4. ProTrainings
5. Coaches' Tool Chest
1. www.nfhslearn
2. www.heart.org
3. www.redcross.org
4. www.protrainings.com
5. www.coachestoolchest.com
Concussions in Sports 1. NFHSLearn
2. Coaches' Tool Chest
1. www.nfhslearn.com
2. www.coachestoolchest.com
Heat Illness Prevention/
Recognition Training
1. NFHSLearn
2. Coaches' Tool Chest
1. www.nfhslearn.com
2. www.coachestoolchest.com
Student Mental Health and
Suicide Prevention Training
1. District annual requirement module
2. NFHSLearn
3. Coaches' Tool Chest
1. MSBA/MUSIC Training Modules
2. www.nfhslearn.com
3. www.coachestoolchest.com
*Contact MSHSAA staff to review potential course offerings for approval.
Coaching Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have an individual who is not qualied to be a provisional assistant coach under MSHSAA By-Law 3.1.5.c. May this
individual perform any of the following tasks for our school teams in the various sports during the school sports season?
a) Wear a head-set in the press box during a football game and confer with coaches and/or players; b) Pitch batting
practice, hit grounders and y balls during practice, or serve as a rst base coach during games (baseball or softball);
c) run with the cross country or track and eld team during practice; d) Video tape during a contest; e) Keep the school
scorebook on the team bench, in the dugout, or at the scorer’s table.
A1: In a; b; and c; the answer is no. This individual is prohibited from providing instruction, giving counsel, or physically
working with the school team or school coaches in the strategy or skill development of the sport. In d and e, the answer
is yes, provided the individual performs only those tasks in the keeping of information regarding the contest.
Q2: We have a teacher in our building teaching with a Provisional or Temporary Authorization Certicate. May this person
serve as a head coach for our tennis team?
A2: Yes. By-Law 3.1.5.a, “Head Coach - Minimum Requirements,” allows an individual with a certication recognized by the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for teaching full-time to serve as a head coach.
Q3: If I arrange for my school nurse, an athletic trainer and paramedic to provide training to coaches/directors in the areas
of First Aid, Concussion & Heat Illness Prevention and AED/CPR during the Fall No-contact period, would this meet the
by-law requirements for these trainings?
A3: Yes, as long as the professionals providing the training are willing to confirm that the training provides the necessary
information and hands-on experience for your coaches and directors.
Q4: Every employee of our school district is required to complete pre-service training which includes a module on student
mental health and suicide prevention. Do I still need to have my coaches take the NFHSLearn course to fulfill the by-
law requirement?
A4: No, the preservice training meets the by-laws requirement; therefore, there would be no need for to complete the
NFHSLearn course.
Q5: We have a vo-tech teacher who holds a vocational teaching certicate (CTAC, ICEC or CCEC) from DESE. This
person does not, however, have a professional teacher’s certicate. Would this person qualify to serve our athletic
program as a) an assistant coach, or b) a head coach?
A5: More information would be needed. A school will need to further investigate the amount of college credit hours
completed by the individual to, rst, determine whether he/she can coach at either level. These DESE certicates
have differing requirements/options, with a graduated combination of college credit hours and practical work-place
experience required for certication. a) If the individual meets the by-law requirements for the assistant coach level
based on their collegiate hours, etc., you may apply for that level. b) Unless the individual has a four-year college
degree, he/she would not meet the requirement to be a head coach, despite the DESE certicate. Please investigate
further and/or contact MSHSAA.
Page 58 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Q6: Our school has an individual who would like to assist with our school football team during the school sports season as a
volunteer (no pay) assistant coach. May this individual serve in this capacity?
A6: This “volunteer” may serve in this capacity only if he/she is hired by the local school Board of Education or governing
board as a provisional or assistant coach, contracted to serve in that capacity (with or without compensation), and
satises all provisions of MSHSAA By-Law 3.15. Any person providing instruction to students is “a coach” and must
meet the coaching requirements. Serving in this capacity without compensation does not negate the coaching
requirements that have been put in place by the membership to regulate the individuals that have instructional contact
with students.
Q7: We have a person working at our local credit union who has a four-year college degree in accounting. We would like to
hire him as our head baseball coach. Would this be permissible?
A7: Yes. However, the individual in addition to having a four-year college degree must also successfully complete the
MSHSAA approved coaches education program, have a background check and complete the Sports First Aid course,
etc. prior to assuming any coaching duties with students.
Q8: Our school has recently (March) offered an interscholastic coaching opportunity for next year verbally to an individual
that is now coaching several of our students in club volleyball. The coach won’t sign the coaching contract until
summertime. When does the coach need to stop coaching the club volleyball team that includes our students?
A8: The coach needs to stop coaching immediately (March). Once the two parties (school and coach) agree regarding a
school coaching assignment for the next year, the individual may not have any instructional contact with students at that
school until summertime. This is the case even if a contract has not been signed as of yet. This is the same restriction
a continuing interscholastic coach has during the spring. (By-Law 3.1.2 and 3.1.3)
Q9: East High School and South High School are in a cooperative sponsorship for the sport of basketball. We have three
coaches for the team. One is a teacher at East, one is a teacher at South, and one is an approved non-faculty coach.
a) This cooperative sponsorship was in place last year and will be in place next year. b) This cooperative sponsorship
was in place last year but won’t be in place next year. c) This cooperative sponsorship was not in place last year but
will be in place next year. With which students may our three coaches have contact during the summer, and with which
students may our coaches have contact in the fall before the basketball season starts and in the spring after the season
concludes?
A9: Coaches of co-op teams are “coaches” for all schools involved, and any student in any of the co-oping schools are
considered “enrolled students” and coaches are restricted from having any contact outside of the season during the
school year. Outside Season During the School Year: In situations a and b, none of the coaches could have any sports
contact with any enrolled student in either school before or after the basketball season. In situation c, the coaches
know they are coaching next year for the new co-op so they are under the same restriction before the season and after
the season. Summer: In situations a and c, any sport contact between any co-op coach and any student at either
school counts as a day of contact (3.15) toward the limit. In b, it depends on if either school will have its own team and
who the coaches will be – go by the normal summer contact rules.
Q10: Can an approved coach in one sport, coach a contest in another sport in an emergency situation even though they are
not approved or listed as a coach in that sport?
A10: Upon request of the school, an administrator listed on the MSHSAA website or an already listed and approved coach/
director of another sport/activity may for one contest/event, or practice, serve as coach. Any further coaching would
require the individual to be listed for the given sport and meet all requirements to be approved for the assigned level of
coach/director. This exception does not exist for postseason contests.
Q11: Our junior high school offers an intramural program. Several of our high school sport coaches have been contracted by
our school district to supervise this program. Is this a violation since our 8th graders may be coached by the coaches
next year?
A11: A school district sponsored intramural program would not be viewed as “organized non-school competition” and such
contracted duties would not constitute a violation of these by-laws for these coaches. Please note that intramural
programs are free-play activities that offer no instruction or “practice.” (See also 3.13 and 3.14)
3.2 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS (NFHS)
3.2.1 Rule books and interpretations in all sports shall be those recommended by the National Federation of State High School
Associations, except when a change is adopted through the Board of Directors. Regulations adopted by the Board of
Directors and contained in sports manuals are ofcial.
3.3 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ATHLETICS
3.3.1 Student Eligibility Requirements: All students participating in an interscholastic athletic activity representing a MSHSAA
member school must meet the student essential by-laws in Section 2, the common athletic activity by-laws in Section 3, as
well as all applicable activity-specic requirements.
SECTION 3
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 59
3.4 CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY
3.4.1 Certication on the MSHSAA Online Membership System:
a. Each student, prior to participating in an interscholastic athletics contest, must be certied as eligible through the
MSHSAA Online Membership System by an administrator of the junior high or high school the student attends, for each
sport in which the student participates. Changes in eligibility at the beginning of second semester shall be made on the
system by an administrator.
b. The schedule for the required submittal of this information will be set by the Board of Directors and appear in the Board of
Director’s Policy Section of the MSHSAA Ofcial Handbook and will be accessible on the website.
c. New additions to teams shall be certied as eligible as described above prior to allowing the student to participate in an
interscholastic contest.
d. Any student who is certied as eligible as described above and is designated for a specic sport will be considered
as having competed in that sport during that season, unless his/her name is removed upon the request and proper
verication by the school administrator before the twentieth day of the season and before the player enters a game.
e. If a participant is omitted from the eligibility certication process in error and is certied in writing by the principal to have
been eligible at the time of the contest, the Board of Directors shall have discretionary authority to determine whether a
penalty is appropriate and the nature and duration of such penalty. The principal shall submit a report to the executive
director explaining the circumstances of the omission error.
3.4.2 Competing against another school before participating students are certied as eligible as described above, shall be
considered a violation.
3.5 ESSENTIAL AGE REQUIREMENTS
3.5.1 Age - Senior High: A student shall not have reached the age of 19 prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school. If a
student reaches the age of 19 on or following July 1, the student may be considered eligible for the upcoming school year.
In order to participate on a freshmen-only team, a student shall not have reached the age of 16 prior to July 1 preceding the
opening of school.
DIAGRAM 3.5.1: HIGH SCHOOL BIRTHDATES FOR 2024-25
Over-Age for High School Born on or before June 30, 2005 Fall 2006 or Spring 2007 birthdates are
typical for seniors in 2024-25
Over-Age for Freshmen
Teams
Born on or before June 30, 2008 Fall 2009 or Spring 2010 birthdates are
typical for freshmen in 2024-25
Over-Age for 8th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2009 Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 birthdates are
typical for 8th graders in 2024-25
3.5.2 Age - Junior High: To be eligible for junior high school competition against teams all in a particular grade classication,
the student shall not have reached the following ages prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school: Grade Six -- 13,
Grade Seven -- 14, or Grade Eight -- 15. If a student does not meet the age standard for a particular grade classication,
that student may compete on a school team of a higher grade classication, within that school or school district where the
residence requirement is met. Students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade shall not compete with or against students in grade nine
or above except in cases where they attain the age of 15 prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school.
DIAGRAM 3.5.2: JUNIOR HIGH BIRTHDATES FOR 2024-25
Over-Age for 8th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2009 Fall 2010 or Spring 2011 birthdates are
typical for 8th graders in 2024-25
Over-Age for 7th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2010 Fall 2011 or Spring 2012 birthdates are
typical for 7th graders in 2024-25
Over-Age for 6th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2011 Fall 2012 or Spring 2013 birthdates are
typical for 6th graders in 2024-25
Over-Age for 5th Grade Born on or before June 30, 2012 Fall 2013 or Spring 2014 birthdates are
typical for 5th graders in 2024-25
3.5.3 School Culminating with 8th Grade: An overage 8th grader attending a school that culminates with the 8th grade may
participate at the high school for which he/she would be eligible as a 9th grader with no restrictions, during the 8th grade
year, if participation is approved by the high school. If, however, upon promotion to the 9th grade the student enters a high
school other than the high school he/she represented the prior year without moving and meeting the residence requirement,
he/she shall have restricted eligibility in all sports for one year.
Age Requirement Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school has a student who turned 19 prior to July 1 of the current school year that wants to participate on the
Page 60 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
school’s cross country team. The administration knows that the over-aged student can practice with the school cross
country team, but can the student participate in school-sponsored cross country meets as an individual/extra runner
and not be recorded in the meet results?
A1: No, an over-aged cross country athlete is ineligible to participate in any way against students who are eligible for cross
country at MSHSAA member schools during the school cross country season. This interpretation applies to all “extra”
sanctioned cross country meets/races that include eligible high school and junior high school cross country runners but
does not apply to “open” cross country meets/races that include only post-high school runners, individuals who are not
eligible to compete for their school cross country team, and those in grades below the 6th grade.
Q2: May an 8th grade student participate as a member of a senior high school team?
A2: If the student is age-appropriate for the 8th grade, then the student may not participate with any high school team. If
the student is over-aged as per By-Law 3.5, it the responsibility of the school district to identify the situation and provide
the opportunity for the student to “play up” on a level for which his/her age is appropriate, provided the student is
eligible in all other respects.
Q3: Our school is a K-8 district. I have a student in 8th grade who exceeds the age requirement for grade 8. The student
knows what high school he will attend next year as a 9th grader. May our school work with that high school to give the
student the opportunity to play up this year so he gets 4 years of high school eligibility?
A3: Yes. By-Law 3.5 permits students who exceed the age requirement and attend a school going only through the 8th
grade an opportunity to play up at the high school he/she will attend. Please note that in this situation, if the student
selects a different high school upon actually entering the 9th grade, he/she shall have restricted eligibility in all sports
for one year.
3.6 AMATEURISM AND BENEFITS
3.6.1 Amateur Status: A student who represents a school in an interscholastic sport shall be an amateur in that sport. An amateur
athlete is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the physical, mental, social, and pleasure benets derived from
participation. Amateurism is sport-specic, except in the case of scholarships/concessions on tuition. Amateurism must be
maintained throughout the year, including summer, and is not dependent on the type of participation (i.e. interscholastic, non-
school competition, recreational, etc.).
3.6.2 Denitions:
a. Athletic Service: Utilizing athletic skills and/or playing a sport, performing in an athletic contest or demonstration,
possibly in exchange for a benet.
b. Non-Athletic Service: Performance of a task, job, or duty that does not involve utilizing athletic skills and/or playing a
sport, performing in an athletic contest or demonstration, possibly in exchange for a benet. Athletic equipment may be
present or shown.
c. Benet: A benet is any recompense received in exchange for some form of service. Examples of benets include, but
are not limited to, money, compensation, awards, rewards, merchandise, stipends, in kind payments, entry fees paid, etc.
d. Merchandise: An item with utility or use, that would normally have to be bought.
e. Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Activity: Use of self-publicity (your name, your image, your likeness) to receive a benet
through appearances, licensing, social media, endorsements, the use of branding, etc.
f. NIL Collective: A group that seeks to provide benets to student-athletes in exchange for on-demand promotion, a
service, or a sport-specic service.
g. Nominal, standard fee: A fee that would equate to the Federal minimum wage per hour, based on the time provided.
h. Representing a School: Depicting any afliation with a member school. Examples include but are not limited to:
member school name, nickname(s), mascot(s), logo(s), uniforms, traditions, related achievements (including MSHSAA
tournament outcomes and awards), etc., and/or tagging, connecting or referring to a member school.
3.6.3 Prohibited Benets for Both Amateurism and NIL Activities:
a. Junior High/High School Athletic Scholarship: Benets in the form of junior high or high school scholarships or
concessions on tuition because of athletic ability shall cause the student to become ineligible for all future competition
in all interscholastic sports. A compliance report that includes a description of nancial assistance, scholarships, and/or
tuition concessions available to students shall be led by all schools annually as a part of MSHSAA registration process.
b. Benet Deemed as Post-Secondary Scholarship: Any monetary benet that is intended as a post-secondary
scholarship shall not be accepted by a student directly, nor prior to the exhaustion of interscholastic eligibility. In order
to legitimately be accepted without jeopardizing interscholastic eligibility, funds must be held by the awarding entity
until after high school graduation, and then submitted directly to the college/university in which the student enrolls to be
utilized as scholarship funds.
c. Benets and Undue Inuence: Any benet offered to entice a student to attend a school for athletic purposes is a
violation of By-Law 2.6, Undue Inuence. If such a benet is accepted by the student, eligibility is jeopardized under both
By-Law 3.6, Amateurism and Benets and 2.6, Undue Inuence.
3.6.4 Representation of a School:
a. Allowable Representation of a School: Representation that is directly connected to the student’s participation with
his/her school’s interscholastic athletic program (e.g. an interscholastic contest, contest action photos, participation of the
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team in a parade, etc.) is allowable under the following conditions:
1. Representation is directed by the school as a part of the interscholastic program
2. The participant is a bona de student of the school
3. No benet or an allowable benet is received.
b. Disallowed Representation of a School: Any promotional or endorsement activity, with or without a benet, that
represents a member school and is not directly connected to the student’s participation with that school’s interscholastic
athletic program is prohibited.
3.6.5 Interscholastic Amateurism:
a. Prohibited Activities for Amateurism: In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a
particular sport, the following activities are prohibited:
1. Pay for Play: An amateur athlete may not accept benets beyond what is allowable for an athletic service or based
on the outcome of a contest.
b. Prohibited Benets for Amateurism: In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a
particular sport, the following benets may not be received for an athletic service:
1. Cash and Cash Equivalents (i.e. free service, gift certicate, gift card, etc.): A student may not accept ANY
monetary compensation, cash, or any type of cash equivalent in connection with a Prohibited Activity for Amateurism
(see By-Law 3.6.5.a).
2. Beyond Limits: Any benet beyond the limits listed in Allowable Benets that is received in connection to a
Prohibited Activity would constitute a violation of this standard.
c. Allowable Activities for Amateurism: In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a
particular sport, the following activities are allowable:
1. Letter of Intent: This standard shall not prevent a student from signing an agreement which binds him or her to play
only for a particular team or an athletic letter-of-intent with a university or college.
2. Teaching, Coaching, Ofciating: Accepting a nominal, standard fee or salary for teaching or coaching sport skills
or techniques or ofciating shall not jeopardize amateur status.
d. Allowable Benets for Amateurism: The following are allowable benets that may be received, including for an athletic
service, and would not jeopardize amateur status for participation in the interscholastic program:
1. Symbolic: A student may receive a symbolic benet presented for recognition purposes only and which has little use
or utility, such as an unattached school letter or emblem, a medal, a ribbon, a trophy, a plaque, a signature game
ball, an award certicate, etc.
2. Value-Limited Merchandise: Once per month, a student may receive an item of merchandise (one or more)
which together shall not exceed a total value of $250. The total value of all items shall be calculated using the
manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for each item.
3. Commemorative Jewelry: A student may receive an award of commemorative jewelry of a value greater than
the merchandise award limit in recognition of achievements in the school athletic program only if purchased and
awarded by the school. If not awarded by the school, the jewelry would need to be purchased by the student/
student's parent(s).
4. Banquet or Ceremony: A school may sponsor a banquet or ceremony to honor students. If sponsored by other than
the school or a school group, approval of a school administrator is required in order for enrolled students to attend.
5. USOC Benets: Under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee, a student who wins only an Olympic
medal and receives specied funds only from the National Governing Body for the sport for the Olympic placement in
competition, may continue or return to interscholastic sports without jeopardizing his/her secondary school eligibility.
6. Necessary Expenses: It is permissible for a student to accept necessary meals, lodging, and transportation in
connection with playing a contest, or participating in an otherwise allowable activity with the school team.
7. Benets to All Students: If a benet is provided to all enrolled students at the school rather than to a particular
student or to members of a particular sports team only, then amateur status has not been compromised and the
benet limits are not applicable.
3.6.6 Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Activities:
a. NIL Prohibited Activities: In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the
following NIL activities are prohibited:
1. Disallowed Representation of a School: Described in By-Law 3.6.4.b above.
2. Athletic service: Dened in By-Law 3.6.2.a above.
3. Undue Inuence: NIL activities that violate By-Law 2.6, Undue Inuence, are prohibited.
4. NIL Collectives: Such groups working on behalf of, in conjunction with, or for the benet of a junior high or high
school are prohibited. Such activity will jeopardize both the interscholastic eligibility of athletes and the school’s
membership status with MSHSAA.
b. NIL Prohibited Benets: In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the
following NIL benets may not be received:
1. Scholarships: See By-Law 3.6.3 regarding benets that are always prohibited, or must be handled a certain way,
for interscholastic amateurism.
2. Undue Inuence: Any benet offered to entice a student to attend a school for athletic purposes is a violation of By-
Law 2.6, Undue Inuence.
c. NIL Allowable Activities: In order to protect amateur status and retain interscholastic eligibility in a particular sport, the
following activities are allowable:
Page 62 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
1. NIL Activity: A student may participate in an NIL activity that provides an allowable benet if NOT representing
a school and NOT performing an athletic service. Editor's Note: Students participating in allowable NIL Activities
should be aware of, and abide by, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines (clearly disclosing sponsor
relationships, not making false or questionable statements about the sponsor's product, etc.). Further consideration
should be given to the tax implications of NIL income, and its impacts on need-based school, state, or federal
nancial aid or Pell Grants.
d. NIL Allowable Benets: A student may receive any benet for an NIL Activity and not jeopardize amateur status for
participation in the interscholastic program, as long as all of the following are true:
1. the student is NOT representing the school
2. the student is NOT performing an athletic service
3. the benet is not a prohibited benet as per By-Law 3.6.3
4. By-Law 2.6, Undue Inuence, is not violated
3.6.7 Penalty: The penalty for violation of this standard shall be ineligibility for a period not to exceed 365 days from the date of the
latest violation in the sport concerned. For violation of By-Law 3.6.3, a student shall become ineligible for all sports.
3.6.8 Reinstatement: Application for reinstatement of eligibility may be led with the Board of Directors after 365 days from the
date of violation. However, the Board of Directors shall not reinstate eligibility to a student who has received a scholarship,
concession on tuition, or direct or indirect nancial aid because of his or her athletic ability. Editor's Note: Schools shall
inform athletes who participate in non-school and summer sports that competing for prohibited benets will make an athlete
ineligible in the sport concerned.
Amateurism Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have a high school golfer who has been afforded the opportunity to participate in a junior amateur golf tournament
this summer. An organization(s) has expressed interest in giving financial assistance to this student to assist with
covering the expenses for participating in this competition. Is this permissible?
A1: As per By-Law 3.6.5.d.6, it is permissible for a student athlete to accept reimbursement for expenses (meals, lodging,
transportation) directly connected to participating in a contest. A student athlete may not accept a stipend to “put
towards” expenses. The student/parents are obligated to document expenses for reimbursement, or payment should
be made by the sponsor directly to the service provider to cover the expense.
Q2: We have a high school golfer who has been afforded the opportunity to participate in a junior amateur golf tournament
this summer. If the student were to win this tournament, the tournament sponsor is awarding a $1000 scholarship: a) to
pay entry fees for future junior amateur golf tournaments, or b) for college tuition following graduation from high school.
Is this permissible?
A2: In a) accepting those funds or having event fees paid would not be permissible. This would be a cash/cash equivalent
award, and tournament/event entry fees are not within the definition of event “expenses” to be reimbursed. In b)
students may accept funds that will be held for them and paid to a college/university of their choice following graduation
from high school. The organization could issue that scholarship money to the high school the student attends, which
would retain the scholarship funds until the student graduates from high school. The funds should then be sent directly
to the post-secondary institution. Any such funds received by the student directly would jeopardize amateur standing
in that sport.
Q3: May a student who participates in a non-school sponsored two-man scramble golf tournament where cash and
merchandise awards are offered designate his partner or another individual to receive these awards as a result of the
team winning rst place in the event?
A3: No. A student may participate in non-school sponsored golf tournaments where cash or merchandise awards are
offered without affecting his/her amateur status provided he/she does not accept any cash or cash-equivalent prizes
(e.g. gift certicates). Any merchandise award may not exceed a manufacturer’s suggested retail value of $250.00.
Designation of a merchandise award above the $250.00 limit won by a student in competition to his/her partner in a
two-man scramble or to another individual or organization is viewed to be acceptance of the award by the student and
would constitute a violation of the provisions of the MSHSAA Amateur Rules. Such awards should be kept by the event
management.
Q4: A restaurant owner in our community would like to pick a “player of the week” and give that person a free hamburger. Is
this legal?
A4: Yes. There would be nothing in the MSHSAA regulations that would prohibit a restaurant owner, newspaper, etc., from
selecting a “player of the week,” and awarding a prize that meets the restrictions listed in By-Law 3.6. A hamburger, as
a dened prize, would meet these restrictions (a gift certicate or gift card would not be acceptable because these are
cash equivalents).
Q5: If a student loses his/her amateur standing in one sport, does that student become ineligible for all sports?
A5: No. The student is ineligible only in the sport in which he/she violates the amateur/awards standard.
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Q6: We have a group of students who wish to participate on a softball team during the summer months. The team will
include high school graduates. The players will be required to pay a portion of the entry fee for their league and/or for
invitational tournaments in which they will be entered. Most of the tournaments in which the team will participate will
present trophies to the winners but some of the tournaments will give the winning team a cash prize. Should a cash
prize be won, the money will be totally retained by the team and used for team expenses and equipment. No player on
the team will personally receive any money. Will participation in this program affect their eligibility?
A6: No. As described, participation in this type of program would not be in violation of the MSHSAA Amateur and Awards
Standard. The rule prohibits a player from receiving cash. However, in this situation since the student does not receive
cash personally, there is no violation of the Amateur and Awards Standard. Actual expenses incurred for food, travel
and lodging while the team is playing away from home are not considered as compensation. The team manager should
pay directly those who furnish such services. He or she should not give money to the high school student to be used in
paying such expenses.
Q7: We have a student who has been offered to receive pitching lessons under these circumstances: a) a person in
our community wants to pay for the lessons, b) on a complimentary basis only for this student, or c) paid for by the
student’s parents. Is this permissible?
A7: Parts a) and b) This would jeopardize eligibility for softball. As per By-Law 3.6.5, a student may not receive services
(which in this case is a lesson with monetary value) based upon athletic accomplishments. In this scenario, the receipt
of the service which has a monetary value would make the student ineligible. Part c) Yes.
Q8: A high school baseball player has signed up to take an advance placement (AP) exam and it is later discovered that
the exam conicts with a district baseball contest. The exam can be rescheduled but there is a $50.00 charge to do so.
May the school pay the fee to reschedule the exam?
A8: No. The MSHSAA Amateur and Awards Standard is interpreted to indicate that athletes cannot capitalize on their
position as an athlete in the school and must be treated the same as any other student in the school. Thus, payment of
this fee (By-Law 3.6.5.d.7) must be paid by the student or the student’s parents. Payment by any other party would be
considered as treating athletes differently than other students in the school and interpreted as the student capitalizing
on their position as an athlete in the school.
Q9: I have a question about a fundraiser our student council is planning. We are going to have a basketball shooting
contest that students will pay $1 to enter and they will attempt to make a half court shot. The winners will be receiving
a) a certicate for a hamburger, small fries, and a drink, b) a $10 gift card, c) $20 cash. May we allow student athletes
and/or basketball players to participate in the contest?
A9: The amateurism rules (By-Law 3.6) are sport specic; therefore, only students interested in maintaining their amateur
status in basketball need to be concerned about what prizes they accept. Prize a) could be accepted by anyone
without jeopardizing amateur status. Prizes b) and c) would both constitute violations of amateur status for the sport
of basketball and, therefore, should either not be offered or basketball players (and hopefuls) should not be allowed
to participate. If prizes are to be offered which affect eligibility, that information needs to be clearly stated in contest
promotions, literature, and on tickets being sold.
Q10: How would student eligibility be affected under the athletic amateurism restrictions if a student received a lottery ticket
with the purchase price of $5 as a prize for athletic competition outside of school?
A10: Technically, a lottery ticket would be viewed as a merchandise award rather than a cash equivalent, because odds
are the ticket has no value. As long as the purchase price (manufacturer’s suggested retail value) is less than the
limit within the by-law, a student could accept it as a prize. In this case, the $5 purchase price is allowable. Cash
equivalents, such as gift cards or gift certicates, have a guaranteed value that can be used like cash, and are not
allowable under the amateur standards. A lottery ticket has no guaranteed value, and chances are it has no value
whatsoever. Despite this interpretation, it is suggested that schools and/or coaches avoid awarding lottery tickets as
awards or prizes for athletic participation or competition as it is illegal for individuals under the age of 18 to purchase a
lottery ticket.
Q11: We have an athlete that participated in a non-school basketball showcase event during the summer and she received
several prizes, including a pair of shoes (MSRP $100), a travel bag (MSRP $100) and a ball cap (MSRP $25). Is it
acceptable for her to keep all of these prizes and remain an amateur or may she only accept one prize in connection
with playing a contest?
A11: As per By-Law 3.6, Amateur and Award Requirements, she may accept all of the listed prizes since the total value of
all prizes is less than $250, based on the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for each item. To remain
an amateur under this standard, merchandise awards shall not exceed a combined total value of $250, based on the
MSRP for each item.
Q12: Our daughter is traveling a) with the school basketball team to a game where she will represent the school or b)
to a softball clinic where she will receive softball skill instruction. Who needs to pay the fee? Who can provide
transportation? Can her expenses (lodging, meals, airfare) be paid by anyone other than us as parents?
A12: For a) the school can pay the fee for the event and all expenses, and provide transportation for participants without any
amateurism issues. For b) parents must pay the fee. Expenses (lodging, meals and transportation) may be paid by
the organizer of the clinic, but should be reimbursed to the participant afterward, once the actual expenses are known.
Page 64 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
No stipends should be provided as any excess over final expenses would be a cash award (improper benefit). Schools
may not pay for or subsidize a student to participate in sport-specific instruction outside of the season or from a private
organizer, or to participate in non-school competition at any time.
Q13: We have an athlete who has been invited to participate in an all-star game after the conclusion of their sport season.
The athlete and their family have set up a GoFundMe account to allow people to donate to assist with costs associated
with participation in the all-star game. Is this a permissible method of paying for these expenses?
A13: No, By-law 3.6.6 prohibits an athlete from accepting benets beyond the allowable limits for playing in a contest and
it is never acceptable to receive cash or cash equivalents. It is the responsibility of the athlete or their parents to pay
for such expenses unless the contest organizers are covering the expenses or making direct reimbursements for items
such as lodging and transportation.
3.7 PARENTAL PERMISSION
3.7.1 Prior to each year of interscholastic athletic participation, a student shall furnish a statement, signed by the student’s
parent(s) or legal guardian (see also By-Law 3.10.1.a), which grants permission for the student to participate in
interscholastic athletics.
3.8 PRE-PARTICIPATION MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY (PHYSICAL EXAM) AND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
3.8.1 Physical Exam: The school shall require of each student participating in athletics a Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility
Form signed and authorized by a physician, advanced nurse practitioner in written collaborative practice with a physician,
or a certied physician’s assistant in collaboration with a sponsoring physician stating that the individual is physically able
to participate in athletic practices and contests of his/her school. A student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for
a school until a signed medical eligibility form is on le at the school. The medical eligibility form is valid for two years (730
days) from the date of issue for the purpose of this rule.
3.8.2 Healthcare Coverage: A student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for a school until it has verication that he/
she has healthcare insurance coverage or a healthcare expense payment plan.
Physical Exams and Healthcare Questions & Answers:
Q1: May a physical exam for athletic or activity participation be administered and signed by a) a physician’s assistant or b) a
registered nurse?
A1: Both a) and b) No. In order for a nurse or physician’s assistant to be allowed to certify a medical eligibility form he/
she must be either an advanced nurse practitioner in a written collaborative practice with a physician or a physician’s
assistant in a written collaborative practice with a physician.
Q2: Many of our students will be receiving their physical exam by a certied physician’s assistant in a written collaborative
practice with a physician. The physician’s assistant will have his/her signature on the medical eligibility form. Is it
necessary for the physician to also have signed the medical eligibility form?
A2: No. The physician is not required to sign each form. However, it is required that the physician’s name be listed in
some manner on the medical eligibility form in order to be valid. This conrms the existence of the written collaborative
practice of the physician and the certied physician’s assistant. This same procedure is required for an advanced nurse
practitioner in a similar collaborative practice.
Q3: A junior in our school was issued a medical eligibility form on January 22 of this school year. Will this medical eligibility
form still be valid for the spring sports season of her senior year?
A3: Yes, a medical eligibility form issued on January 22 of this year will be considered valid as per the by-law until January
22 two years later, unless otherwise noted by a physician or due to health changes. Students with injuries, health
changes or medical concerns during the interim period may need to be referred back to a doctor for clearance; such a
decision should include the student, parents, and the school’s athletic trainer or medical professional. The student’s
health and safety must be paramount.
Q4: The by-laws require that a student has healthcare insurance coverage or a healthcare expense payment plan before
participating in interscholastic sports. What type of coverage meets this requirement?
A4: A student who can provide proof of health insurance, accident insurance that covers competitive and/or contact sports,
or some sort of supplemental-type insurance would be considered to be meeting the requirements of this by-law.
Q5: We have students with a physical form on le which is not the MSHSAA medical eligibility form; rather it is one used
or created by the physician’s ofce/clinic. These forms specically state that the physical exam approval is valid
for one year only. a) Is it acceptable to allow a physical form other than the MSHSAA medical eligibility form? b) Is
the physician’s physical form that specically references being valid one year still valid for a two year period under
MSHSAA bylaw 3.8.1.
A5: a) The MSHSAA medical eligibility form is the recommended form to be used, but local schools may decide to allow
other physical forms to be turned in, or may create their own as a required form, without violating By-Law 3.8.1. Please
note that the MSHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee reviews the MSHSAA medical eligibility form annually
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and makes updates based on current standards of practice in this area to insure that applicable areas for review
are included. b) If a physician’s physical form specically states that it is only valid for one year…OR if a physician
specically notes on the MSHSAA medical eligibility form that the physical is only valid for one year then the student
should be asked to renew the medical eligibility form when it expires per that notation. A physician indicating that they
are only clearing a student for participation for one year supersedes the MSHSAA Bylaw allowing a physical to be valid
for two years. You may need to contact, or have the family contact, the physician for clarity.
Q6: We have several students with a medical eligibility form (physical) currently on le; however, it is the old MSHSAA PPE
form rather than the most recent MSHSAA medical eligibility form. Do we need to have all students get a new physical
using the "new" MSHSAA medical eligibility form in order for a physical to be valid for the two years (730 days)?
A6: No. All physical forms that your school currently has on le are valid for two years (730 days) from the date that the
physical was issued. It is not necessary to have your students secure a new physical because of the new MSHSAA
medical eligibility form. The only exception to this would be if a physician has noted on a student’s physical form that
the physical is good for one year OR your school is aware of a medical condition that a student has experienced
resulting in what you believe is a necessity for the student to have a new physical completed. Any new physicals need
to use the new MSHSAA medical eligibility form, and only the last page with the approving signature should be on le.
Q7: Many of our students will not need a new physical for the upcoming school year because we already have physicals
on le for them that are valid for two years (730 days). We also have all the other Pre-participation Documentation
requirements on le for these students. Is it necessary that our school secure new Pre-participation Documentation?
A7: YES, the MSHSAA Pre-participation Documentation-Annual Requirements must be updated and completed every
year. It is recommended that schools secure the Pre-participation Documentation prior to the start of each school
year; however, at a minimum the Pre-participation Documentation must be secured from each student athlete prior
to them being permitted to participate in their rst sport or activity season for each school year. Pre-participation
Documentation includes the items listed in By-Law 2.12.1: Interim Medical Update, Emergency Contact
Information, Parent Permission and Healthcare Coverage Verication, Student Agreement, Concussion Education
Acknowledgement, and Risk and Injury Disclosure. These requirements must be secured from the student and
student’s parent(s) annually.
3.9 CONDITIONING REQUIREMENTS
3.9.1 Each team must have 14 days of conditioning practice and each individual must have participated in 14 school conditioning
practices on 14 different days prior to the date of the rst interscholastic contest in all sports. This requirement shall be met
if a student has been a member of another school sports team immediately preceding the sport season, has been actively
practicing with the sport team, has had 14 days of physical conditioning and begins physical conditioning practice with the
new sport team with no more than seven calendar days having passed between the two sports before beginning practice.
Conditioning Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have two members of our school football team who will be attending a National Guard camp during the rst week
of our school’s preseason football practice. When they return, there will be only 12 practice days remaining prior to the
date of our rst game. If we schedule practice twice a day so they participate in at least 14 practices during the 12 day
period will they be eligible to participate in our rst game?
A1: No. The Conditioning Standards require that each individual team member must participate in 14 school practices on
14 different days prior to the rst game in which a student participates. Further, the schedule proposed would not meet
the requirements of the heat acclimatization schedule.
Q2: MSHSAA By-Law 3.9 provides that each individual player must have participated in 14 school practices on 14 different
days prior to the rst game in which a student participates in an interscholastic athletic contest, except when a student
has been a member of another school sports team immediately preceding and has had the 14 days conditioning. What
is meant by the term “immediately preceding?”
A2: The Board of Directors has interpreted the term “immediately preceding” in this particular provision to mean that no
more than seven days elapse since a student last participated in a practice and/or contest as a member of another
school sports team. Thus, if a student plays in his school’s last football game on November 13, he would have until
November 21 to begin practicing with the basketball team and be eligible immediately to participate interscholastically
in the sport of basketball. If he waits until after November 21 to go out for the basketball team, then he would have
to meet the conditioning standards by participating in at least 14 school practices on 14 different days prior to being
eligible to participate in an interscholastic basketball contest.
Q3: Does cheer or dance conditioning practice count toward the 14 days of practice required under By-Law 3.9?
A3: No. Cheer and dance conditioning practices do not count toward the conditioning requirements for sports.
Q4: A player on our basketball team completed his 14 days of conditioning practice for the winter season and played in a
few games before he was injured. He has now been out due to his injuries for over a month. His doctor indicates he
will be released to practice soon. Will the student have to start his 14 days of conditioning over before he can play in a
game?
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A4: The student has met the provisions of the conditioning standard for the winter season and so, technically, he will not
need to complete an additional 14 days of conditioning to be in compliance with the by-law. However, the school, in
consultation with your athletic trainer and the student’s physician, will need to determine the timeline for the student’s
return to competition. Most likely, the student should not return to competition immediately. However, the specic
circumstances must be taken into consideration before the timeline can be set (student’s general tness level before
injury, what if any conditioning was done during the injured period, type of injury, etc.) The health and safety of the
student is of utmost importance and his return must be determined on a case by case basis.
3.10 RESIDENCE AND TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS
3.10.1 Residence and Transfer Denitions: For the purpose of determining residency and the appropriate transfer exception, the
following denitions are provided:
a. Parent - The term parent shall mean the student’s: 1) natural parent; 2) adoptive parent; 3) foster parent, designated by
court order; or 4) legal guardian designated by court order.
b. Residence - Residence shall be dened as the place where the student and his/her parents have established their
permanent home. This means that the family regularly eats and sleeps in a specic place of lodging. It is a place where
the student and his/her parents are habitually present and to which when departing, they intend to return. The permanent
home of a student with parents who are divorced or separated shall be the dwelling where a student has resided with one
of his/her parents for a majority of the overnight periods during the 365 consecutive days immediately prior to enrollment.
c. Change of Residence - A change of residence under this rule shall consist of the moving of all household properties
to the new address and the parents and student actually living there; a second family residence shall not meet the
requirements of this standard.
d. District - All member schools, both public and non-public, shall establish dened geographical attendance districts for
athletic eligibility purposes. The boundary for a non-public school attendance district shall be established by the school’s
governing board and shall include an area not to exceed a twenty-ve mile radius measured from the school principal’s
ofce. A current map showing the non-public school’s attendance district boundary shall be on le in the MSHSAA
ofce. Any subsequent change in the non-public school’s attendance boundary must be reported to the MSHSAA ofce
no later than February 1 preceding the school year the change is to become effective since any change will be used in
determining the eligibility of transfer students. The boundary for a Charter School attendance district is set by state law,
but may be reduced at the school’s discretion for athletic eligibility purposes only. If thus reduced, a current map showing
the Charter School’s attendance boundary shall be on le in the MSHSAA ofce and changes must be reported no later
than February 1 preceding the school year the change is to become effective. The Missouri School for the Blind and
the Missouri School of the Deaf shall be exempt from establishing a dened geographic attendance district for athletic
eligibility purposes.
e. Restricted Eligibility - A transfer student who is granted restricted eligibility may participate in designated sports only at
the subvarsity level of competition until the student has been in continuous attendance at the new school for 365 days
from the date of enrollment.
3.10.2 Residence Requirements: A junior high or high school student may be eligible at the public or non-public school located
in the district in which the student’s parents (as dened in By-Law 3.10.1.a) reside. In the case of a public multiple school
district, a student may be eligible at the school designated for the student to attend by the board of education.
3.10.3 Residence Exceptions: A student may also meet eligibility Residence Standards under the following provisions:
a. A student who is enrolled full-time in a special learning center may be eligible to represent the public school serving
the district or attendance area of the parents’ residency in any sport not sponsored by the school he/she attends. A
special learning center is dened as a member school that offers only specialized courses or curricula, or serves a very
specialized student population. Member schools must apply to the Board of Directors by May 1 to be recognized as a
Special Learning Center the following year. The Board may remove a school from this category if the school no longer
meets the denition. The following categories of schools are special learning centers:
1. Magnet Schools
2. Schools serving only students with Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P’s)
3. Vocational/Technical Schools
Editor’s Note: The following schools have applied and been conrmed as Special Learning Centers: Central
(Springeld) Middle School, Central Visual & Performing Arts High School, Collegiate School of Med/Bio Science High
School, Cool Valley Innovation High School, Frederick Douglass High School, Gateway High School, Lincoln College
Prep, McKinley Classical Leadership Academy, Metro High School, Paseo Academy High School, Soldan International
Studies High School, Special School District of St. Louis County (Hiram Neuwoehner High School, Northview High
School, and Southview High School), and STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley.
b. The residence standards shall be waived 365 days from the date a student enrolls in a member school provided
enrollment in that member school has been continuous.
3.10.4 Transfer of Enrollment Requirements: Students who transfer schools or do not meet the requirements of residency upon
enrollment at the school as outlined above are ineligible for 365 days unless their cases meet the standards under the
EXCEPTIONS THAT FOLLOW:
a. Exception 1 - Corresponding Full-Family Change of Residence: If there is a corresponding change of residence
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 67
of parents/family, from the attendance district of the school where a student has been enrolled to the new district, the
student may be eligible as soon as the transfer of eligibility is approved by the MSHSAA ofce. For the purpose of this
provision, if the districts served by the two schools overlap, the term “new district” shall mean a district in which the
original residence was not located. The purpose of this section shall be to avoid any loss of eligibility when parents
transfer residence to a new district for other than athletic reasons. Note: If a student from a broken home moves from
the residence of one parent to that of the other parent and transfers schools, eligibility may not be considered under this
exception.
1. This change of residence must be simultaneous with the transfer of enrollment except when for educational
reasons and awaiting occupancy of a new residence, a request is made to the MSHSAA ofce to permit the student
to enroll at a new school at the beginning of a new year or semester and to become eligible as of the date the actual
move takes place, such request shall be granted.
2. If parents move to a new district, the student, to retain eligibility without establishing a 365 days period of attendance,
must transfer his/her enrollment simultaneously with the transfer of residence of parents, or no later than the
beginning of the next school year.
3. If a student has lived with an individual other than a parent for 365 or more consecutive days, and then a change of
residence as dened in By-Law 3.10.1.c takes place that necessitates a transfer of eligibility, this exception may be
used to request eligibility.
4. In the case of a student whose parents are divorced or legally separated, this exception may only be used if the
student has resided with the re-locating parent only for a consecutive majority of the overnight periods during the
365 consecutive days immediately prior to enrollment.
b. Exception 2 - Transfer at Promotion: Provided the transfer does not involve undue inuence and is not for athletic
reasons, a student may be eligible immediately at the school of his/her choice upon rst entering when:
1. The student is promoted from the 5th grade to the 6th grade.
2. The student is promoted from the 6th grade to the 7th grade.
3. The student is promoted from the 8th grade to the 9th grade, provided the student is eligible in all other respects.
4. The student completes the highest grade in an elementary school that is not a part of a system supporting a high
school (K-8), provided the student is eligible in all other respects.
c. Exception 3 - Transfer from an In-State Non-Member School: A student is eligible upon his/her rst transfer from a
Missouri non-member or an Afliate Registered School, as long as the student has been enrolled there for at least two
consecutive semesters, to a MSHSAA member school where he/she meets the Residence Standards contained in By-
Law 3.10.2 provided the transfer does not involve undue inuence and is not for athletic reasons. Students transferring
to a member school from an out-of-state school or an international school may not utilize this transfer exception.
d. Exception 4 - Transfer From an Unaccredited Public School: A student may be eligible upon his or her rst transfer
from an unaccredited public school to an accredited public school where the student’s tuition is required by state law
to be paid by the home district provided the transfer does not involve undue inuence and is not for athletic reasons.
Likewise, a student may be eligible upon his/her rst transfer back to his/her home school if the school regains
accreditation provided:
1. the student transfers within 365 days of accreditation being regained and
2. the transfer does not involve undue inuence and is not for athletic reasons.
e. Exception 5 - Special Transfers:
1. Any transfer within any school system ordered by the board of education or governing body of a non-public school
system, that is not for athletic reasons, shall be considered as meeting the residence requirements. An assignment
by the Commissioner of Education in accord with provisions contained in RSMo 167.121 shall meet this requirement.
Editor’s Note: This item is not referring to a situation in which a family makes a request to the school board for re-
assignment which is granted, but rather a transfer that is mandated by the district due to special services, etc.
2. In case of reorganization, consolidation, or annexation of school districts, a student may be considered eligible at the
designated school of the enlarged district immediately.
3. If a school is discontinued or closed to any group of students for reasons other than number two above, its students
may be eligible immediately in the school of their choice provided the standards of residence are met.
4. A student who has established residence with one parent only, for 365 days or more, following the divorce of his/her
parents may transfer schools one time without loss of eligibility to move to the residence of the other parent unless
both parent residences are within the dened geographical attendance district of the receiving school, and provided
the transfer does not involve undue inuence and is not for athletic reasons. A copy of the custody agreement shall
be submitted for review of the school’s transfer request. The following situations shall not be reviewed under this
exception:
(a) Transfers of enrollment due to subsequent changes of residency between the divorced parents after the rst
exchange, unless no prior exchange has been made since the student was promoted into the 6th grade.
(b) Transfers of enrollment where joint physical custody has been legally provided to both parents and the student
lives part time with each parent.
(c) Situations where the residency of the receiving parent was established in the receiving school district less than
365 days prior to the transfer of schools.
The student may be eligible as soon as the transfer of eligibility is approved by the MSHSAA ofce.
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f. Exception 6 - Boarding Schools: A student who transfers for the rst time to a boarding school*, provided the school
is not a specialized athletic/academy boarding school, and lives in the dormitory of the school may be eligible as soon
as certied in accord with By-Law 3.4. Likewise, a student who has been attending a boarding school for 365 days,
provided it is not a specialized athletic/academy boarding school, and living in its dormitory under this provision may be
eligible upon the student’s rst transfer to a school at which he/she meets the residence standards contained under By-
Law 3.10.2 provided the transfer does not involve undue inuence and is not for athletic reasons. *For purposes of this
standard, a boarding school is dened as a school which provides a residential community setting for students in which
a full range of boarding services are provided (dormitory counselors, 24 hours a day supervision, a social program, 3
meals a day, etc).
g. Exception 7 - Transfer Back - Approved Foreign Exchange Program: A student who transfers for the rst time
from a foreign exchange program that is listed on the Advisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange
Programs published by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel shall have unrestricted eligibility
under the following conditions.
1. The transfer shall occur at the semester.
2. The student shall return to the previous high school attended prior to participation in the exchange program.
3. The student must meet the residence requirement in By-Law 3.10.2.
4. The student shall meet all essential eligibility requirements.
5. The transfer shall not be a result of undue inuence or for athletic reasons.
h. Exception 8 - Hardship: The Board of Directors may grant eligibility to a transfer student who does not meet the
Transfer Standards when sufcient evidence is provided to show that it was necessary for the student to transfer
because of unforeseen, unavoidable, or unusual circumstances provided the transfer was not for athletic reasons and
there was no undue inuence.
1. Hardship Transfer requests for students in junior high school (6th, 7th and 8th grades) will be granted if the
Principals of both the sending and receiving schools approve the request and indicate that they do not believe that
the transfer was made for athletic reasons or due to undue inuence.
2. A military ofcer who is deemed by the Department of Defense as “mission essential” and who is further required to
live within the boundaries of the military base, may upon arrival enroll his/her child(ren) in a school district that is
contiguous to the school of residency (as dened in By-Law 3.10.2) and such child(ren) shall be considered eligible
under this exception. Once the child attends a school, he/she would then be eligible only at that school.
3. A student who is granted eligibility under this provision shall be eligible upon notication by the Executive Director.
i. Exception 9 - Waiver--Even though a student transfers schools under circumstances which do not meet the terms of
the Transfer of Enrollment Standards, he/she still may be granted eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics as
hereinafter restricted if the student qualies under the following terms and conditions:
1. A student whose name has been included on a school eligibility roster at any level (varsity, junior varsity, freshmen,
junior high, etc.) for a given sport during the 12 calendar months preceding the date of such transfer can be eligible
only for sub-varsity competition in that sport(s) for 365 days from the date of transfer. A student may have
unrestricted eligibility in all other sports in which his/her name has not appeared on a school eligibility roster (at any
level). Editor's Note: The term "sub-varsity" refers to any level below varsity.
2. A student who has attended a school system that does not sponsor interscholastic athletics but who has
participated in organized non-school competition, as dened in By-Law 3.13.2, during the 12 calendar months
preceding the date of such transfer can be eligible only for sub-varsity competition in that sport(s) for 365 days from
the date of transfer. A student may have unrestricted eligibility in all other sports in which he/she did not participate.
3. Eligibility can be granted as described in number one above provided the athletic eligibility is approved by the
principals of both the sending and receiving schools and the Board of Directors and further provided there is no
athletic purpose involved in the transfer. The student shall be ineligible for all sports for 365 days from the date of
transfer in the event that either or both principals or the Board of Directors decline to approve athletic eligibility.
Editor’s Note: A student transferring under the Waiver in grades 7-8 shall have restricted eligibility from the highest
team in the junior high/middle school i.e. “A” Team restricted to “B” Team.
j. Exception 10 - Foreign Exchange Student:
1. A foreign exchange student is an international student who attends high school in the U.S. To be eligible for
interscholastic athletics in a MSHSAA member school, such student must be under the auspices of and be placed
with a Missouri host family by an international student exchange program that has been accepted for listing by
the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) and be recognized by the U.S. Department
of State. The foreign exchange program must assign students to host families by a method that ensures that
no student, or his/her parents, school or other interested party may inuence the assignment for athletic or other
purposes. The foreign exchange student may not be selected or placed on any basis related to his/her athletic
interests or abilities.
2. A foreign exchange student is considered to be placed with a host family when written notice of placement is
provided by the exchange organization to the student and his/her parents, and to the host family.
(a) Neither the school the student attends nor any person associated with the school shall have input into the
selection of the student.
(b) If a member of the school’s coaching staff, paid or voluntary, serves as the host family, the foreign exchange
student shall not be eligible to participate at any level in the sport(s) (by gender) for which the coach coaches.
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 69
3. A senior foreign exchange student, in his/her 7th and 8th semesters, attending a member school may be considered
eligible with no restrictions to participate in interscholastic athletics during his/her 7th and 8th semesters only,
provided the following conditions are met. Editor's Note: The 7th and 8th semesters represent a student's
culminating year of high school education.
(a) The foreign exchange student must comply with all other eligibility requirements.
(b) The student has not previously attended any other American high school.
(c) The foreign exchange student is eligible at the public or non-public school(s) located in the district in which the
foreign exchange student’s host family resides, as dened in By-Law 3.10.1.b.
4. Non-Senior Foreign Exchange Students: Any foreign exchange student in his/her rst through sixth semester
of school attendance (as dened in By-Law 2.4) will be considered eligible only under By-Laws 3.10.4.i.2 and
3.10.4.j.2(b).
3.10.5 Eligible at Time of Transfer: A transfer student must be eligible in all respects at the school from which he or she is
transferring to be eligible at the school to which he or she is transferring. If a student transfers schools with the status of
ineligible for disciplinary reasons, the student shall retain such status at the new school for the same period as decreed
by the former school. In all other cases, if the student is eligible in all respects under the receiving school’s standards or
MSHSAA standards, whichever is more restrictive, the student shall be considered eligible at the new school. A student
transferring and meeting the Academic Standard at the receiving school, which has a less restrictive standard than the
sending school, shall be considered to be academically eligible at the new school provided the minimum standards of
By-Law 2.3 (3.0/80%, whichever is greater) are met. Interscholastic competition against another school before participating
students are certied as eligible shall be considered a violation.
3.10.6 Transfer of Eligibility Request Required: A transfer request shall be expedited for any transfer student (one who was not
enrolled in the school district or system the previous year) before a student may be considered eligible without establishing a
365 days period of attendance from the date of enrollment. The student shall not be permitted to compete until the principal
receives the information from the school from which he or she transferred, verifying that the student meets the standards of
eligibility to compete.
3.10.7 Enrollment and Attendance:
a. Prior to the First Day of School: A student must be enrolled at the school in order to participate in school-based
summer opportunities and fall sports practices prior to the start of school. If an interscholastic contest is played before
the formal opening of school of the fall semester, a transfer student with an eligibility determination through the transfer of
eligibility process and who is eligible in all other respects may be eligible to participate under this provision provided the
student is properly enrolled in the school.
b. After the First Day of School: A transfer student with an eligibility determination through the transfer of eligibility
process and who is eligible in all other respects may participate on the rst day of attendance. Participation in practice
prior to the rst day of attendance is allowed if properly enrolled in the school and if the student is no longer attending
another school.
3.10.8 Transfer After Start of District & State Tournament Series: A student who participates in a MSHSAA district or state
tournament contest shall not be eligible during the state tournament series in the same sport in the same season at a second
school, even if the student completes an otherwise legal transfer to the second school.
Transfer and Residency Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have a student who will be transferring to our school at the beginning of his junior year without a corresponding
change of residence of his parents. He is transferring from a four-year public high school. When will he be eligible to a)
practice as a member of a team and b) participate in interscholastic competition?
A1: a) Once fully enrolled, the student may practice as a member of a team provided proof of healthcare coverage and a
physical form are on le with the school. b) The student is not eligible to participate in interscholastic competition until
the receiving school has completed the transfer process by utilizing one of the ten transfer exceptions. Any student
who transfers his/her enrollment is initially ineligible, and may request eligibility through the online transfer process.
Q2: A student moves from her parents’ home to live with her grandparents. The change of residence results in a transfer
of schools. If the grandparents are designated as the legal guardians of this student will the student be eligible to
participate in athletics?
A2: Due to the transfer, the student is initially ineligible following the transfer, but the receiving school may le a transfer
of eligibility request for the student. Depending on the reasons for the move/transfer, the waiver or hardship transfer
exceptions may be applicable. The student would become eligible as soon as the online transfer of eligibility request
has been approved by MSHSAA, provided all other general essential eligibility requirements have been met. The
receiving school should discuss the specics of the move with the student, the parents, and the grandparents before
ling a request with the MSHSAA ofce.
Q3: We have a student who moved to our district with her parents in August. She has attended our school for two months
and now her parents are moving to a neighboring school district. May she continue to represent our school in athletics
with no restrictions now if she remains in our district and lives with her uncle?
Page 70 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
A3: No. In this situation the student would become ineligible at your school on the date her parents move from your district.
She could subsequently become eligible at your school after she has attended there continuously for a 365-day period
(By-Law 3.10.3.b). The school may apply for a Transfer Waiver exception in this situation (By-Law 3.10.4.i). If she
moves with her parents, she would become eligible at the school in the district in which her parents take up residence
provided she transfers her enrollment simultaneously with the transfer of residence of her parents, and a transfer
request is approved by the MSHSAA ofce.
Q4: A student resides in a community that has three public high schools and two non-public high schools. The boundaries
of the attendance districts for the two non-public schools (A and B) are the city limits. The attendance districts for the
three public schools (1, 2 and 3) encompass three separate dened geographical segments of the city. The family
residence was located in public school 2’s attendance district when, upon entering the 9th grade, the student enrolled
at non-public school A. Between his sophomore and junior years of school the family moves to a home in public school
3’s attendance district. The student wishes to transfer to non-public school B to start his junior year. Will he be eligible
under the Transfer of Enrollment Standards at non-public school B?
A4: No. Both the original family residence (in public school 2’s attendance district) and the new family residence (in public
school 3’s attendance district) are in non-public school B’s attendance district. Thus, the change of residence in this
case would not meet the criteria contained in By-Law 3.10.4.a since the family did not move from one non-public
school attendance district into a different non-public school attendance district. In this case the student could continue
to attend non-public school A or transfer to public school 3 and be eligible on an unrestricted basis at either school. It
should be noted that in any case where a transfer student is not eligible under the Transfer Standards, eligibility may be
requested under the Transfer Waiver provision.
Q5: A student enrolled in our school today who became 18 years of age in July preceding the opening of the school year.
He previously lived with his parents in their family home located in a neighboring district and attended school there.
However, he is now living in an apartment in our district. Based on the fact he is residing in our school district, the law
requires us to accept him as a student. Is he eligible to represent our school in interscholastic athletics?
A5: Not initially. MSHSAA By-Law 3.10.4.a (Transfer of Enrollment Standards) stipulates that in order for a transfer student
to be eligible, there must be a corresponding change of residence of the student’s parents from the district where
the student has been in attendance to the new district. The By-Law includes no exception to this requirement for an
emancipated minor. Further, By-Law 3.7 requires parental permission for participation in athletics. The school may le
a transfer form to request some eligibility.
Q6: As a result of a tax levy defeat, the Board of Education of our neighboring school district has determined they will
eliminate all interscholastic athletics for junior high and high school students next year. We have received inquiries
from several parents about the possibility of their children transferring to our school either: a) as tuition students who
would commute daily from their home; or b) as resident students who would live with a court appointed guardian in our
district. Would these students be eligible to participate in our interscholastic athletic program?
A6: No in both a) and b). Students transferring under such circumstances would not be eligible to participate in
interscholastic athletics at your school for a 365 day period since their parents will not have completed a permanent
change of residence to your district as is required in By-Law 3.10.4.a. A transfer of eligibility request may be led
with the MSHSAA ofce to seek some level of eligibility. MSHSAA By-Laws do not recognize differences in academic
or extracurricular offerings between schools. Each school district is responsible for providing both academic and
nonacademic programs to satisfy the needs of its students.
Q7: Our school has hired a teacher who lives in a neighboring school district and who previously taught at the school which
serves the district in which his residence is located. He has a son who will be a junior next year and has been playing
on the neighboring school’s basketball team. According to state law, a child attending a school in a district other than
the district of residence, when the child’s parent teaches in that non-residence district, if accepted as a non-tuition
student, shall be counted in the average daily attendance as a resident pupil. Therefore, could this teacher’s son
transfer to our school and be eligible to participate on our varsity basketball team next year if the family does not move
into our district?
A7: No. MSHSAA By-Law 3.10.4.a provides that a student who transfers to your school under the circumstances described
above would not be eligible at your school to play on the varsity level since there would not be a corresponding change
of residence of his parents to your district. The only exceptions to this would be contained in By-Law 3.10.4.b which
permits a student promoted from the 5th grade to the 6th grade, the 6th grade to the 7th grade or from the 8th grade to
the 9th grade to be eligible at the school of his/her choice. There may be circumstances creating a necessity to change
schools. These would be considered under By-Law 3.10.4.h, Hardship Transfer.
Q8: One of our basketball players was removed from our team for the remainder of the season due to violating several
team rules. He has transferred to another school. Will he be eligible for athletics at the new school?
A8: No. Discipline from the sending school moves forward. Therefore, he is not eligible at any level until the basketball
season is completed. Then his eligibility must be considered under one of the transfer provisions. If for example, a
student at School A lost eligibility for 60 days due to disciplinary infractions and transferred to School B, the disciplinary
ineligibility would continue at School B until the 60-day suspension had been completed. This applies to both athletics
and activities.
Q9: We have a female student whose parents moved to our school district because of a job change. All members of the
family have moved and she has met all of the transfer standards. She is a basketball player and was a member of her
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 71
previous school’s varsity team that was defeated last week in district play. We are competing in the quarternals of the
state tournament this Saturday. Will she be eligible to compete on our team after she has been in attendance at our
school for ve days?
A9: No. By-Law 3.10.8 provides that a student who has participated in a MSHSAA district or state tournament contest at a
sending school shall not be eligible during the state tournament series in the same sport during the same school year
at a receiving school, even if the student completes an otherwise legal transfer to the receiving school. In addition, to
be eligible for MSHSAA district or state competition at a given school, a student must compete in at least one regular
season contest in that sport at that school.
Q10: We have a foreign student enrolled in our school who is living with family friends in our district. He is not involved in a
foreign student exchange program. Is he eligible to participate in our interscholastic athletic program?
A10: The student is ineligible until the athletic director submits a transfer of enrollment request via the MSHSAA website to
determine the eligibility level of the student. Eligibility must be determined under By-Law 3.10.4, Transfer of Enrollment
Requirements. If the student meets one of the ten exceptions listed, he may have some level of eligibility granted for
athletics. This student does not meet exception 10 as he is not here on through an approved CSIET program.
Q11: What is a "dual residence" as referred to in the transfer and residency restrictions, and the Full Family Move exception?
A11: If a transferring student's parents have ownership and/or control (through a lease or other means) of both the former
residence connected with enrollment at the former school, and another residence that is going to be connected with
enrollment at a new school, the student has a dual residence. The Full Family Move transfer exception may not be
utilized under these circumstances. When an owned home has been publicly marketed for sale at a reasonable
price, utilities are shut off, all furniture and belongings have been moved to the second residence, and all family
members are living in the second residence, all of which take place PRIOR to a transfer of enrollment to a new school,
a determination shall be made by the MSHSAA staff as to whether there is a single or dual residence for transfer
purposes. Leasing or renting an owned property to a third party is still a dual residence.
3.11 COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY-CONDUCTED EVENTS
3.11.1 College/University-Conducted Events for Individual Students During the School Year: Students may participate in
athletic recruiting or instruction events that are directly sponsored by a college or university, conducted by that college or
university’s coaching staff for the sport concerned, and held on its campus, under the following provisions.
a. Compliance with Governing Body: These events shall adhere to the rules and regulations for such offerings as outlined
by the governing body of which the college or university is a member (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, etc.).
b. College/University-Conducted Recruiting Events: Events in which one or more students participate in physical
activity including individual or group drills and/or limited scrimmages (not complete games) for the purpose of revealing,
demonstrating or displaying the student’s athletic abilities in a specic sport to the coaching staff of the organizing
college/university for recruiting purposes. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or
participate in the event, without the prior approval of a school administrator. (See By-Laws 3.13.4 and 3.14.4 in regard to
Evaluation Events Conducted by Private Organizers.)
c. College/University-Conducted Individual Instruction Events: Instructional clinic or group lesson events which involve
individual instruction in a specic sport that is provided by college or university coaching staff and include activities
designed to improve overall skills and general knowledge in the respective sport. The primary emphasis shall be on
teaching individual player skills, and there is no complete game competition other than limited scrimmage situations.
During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the event, without the prior
approval of a school administrator. The student does not have to be accompanied by an approved school coach during
the respective interscholastic sport season; for events conducted outside of the specic interscholastic sport season,
no school coach may attend the event. (See 3.13.4 and 3.14.4 in regard to Individual Instruction Events that are not
conducted by a college/university.)
3.11.2 College/University Conducted Team Competition Events throughout the Year:
a. Team Camp-Type Events: Events that are mainly competitive in nature but focused on teams and not individuals (i.e.
“team camps”) are covered by 3.13.2, Organized Non-School Competition, 3.14.2, Organized Non-School Competition,
and 3.15, Sport Participation and Contact – During the Summer.
b. Competitive Events: See By-Law 3.18.2 for coverage of interscholastic competition organized by a college or university.
3.11.3 Penalty: If the student does not receive prior approval of a school administrator to miss school time for travel to and
participation in the college/university event, the school shall impose a penalty for the violation. The minimum penalty shall be
ineligibility for one contest for each day of school time missed up to a maximum period of ineligibility not to exceed 365 days
in the sport in which the violation occurred.
College/University-Conducted Events Questions & Answers:
Q1: We have a student that wants to participate in an instructional sports event that is being sponsored by a local University
and will be held on their campus. The event takes place during our school season for the same sport. Can the student
attend without jeopardizing her eligibility?
A1: Under specific conditions outlined in By-Law 3.11, and with the approval of your school and her coach, it may be
possible for the student to participate in the event. Factors affecting the allowance to participate include the specific
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structure of the event, whether or not the student will miss instructional time to participate, and school permission,
among other factors listed in the by-law. Please review By-Law 3.11 closely before advising the student.
3.12 SCHOOL DISTRICT EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
3.12.1 Alumni Games: Alumni games may be played if they involve only former students playing against the school team, are
held within the established season limits stated in the By-Laws, and are counted as one of the school’s allowable number of
contests in the activity concerned.
3.12.2 Student versus School Staff Contests: Student versus School Staff contests may be played under the following
conditions:
a. Such contests may NOT take place within the school sport season.
b. Such contests may be co-educational (coed) or gender-specic.
c. One contest per sport per year is allowed. No such contest is allowable in the sport of football.
d. The contest shall take place at the school, unless appropriate facilities are not owned by the school.
e. Participation in such contests shall not jeopardize the eligibility of students for the applicable interscholastic sport.
3.12.3 Intramurals: High school students, including athletes, may assist with elementary (K-5) intramural programs that are
sponsored by the school district in which they are enrolled. Sport-specic contact that takes place outside of the school
sport season between a high school athlete and his/her sport coach(es) as a result of assisting with a bona de district-
sponsored K-5 intramural program shall not constitute a violation of the restrictions outlined in By-Laws 3.13, 3.14 or 3.15.
3.12.4 Youth-Aged Instructional Events (Camps): A school may sponsor a youth-aged sports camp under the following
conditions:
a. High School Sponsored - During the School Year (Restricted by Residence/Enrollment): A youth-aged sports
camp may be offered to students in grades K-7 who live within the residence boundaries of the high school which is
sponsoring the camp and who are enrolled and attending the elementary school or junior high school managed and
funded by that high school’s district or system and which feeds directly to that high school. [Sixth and seventh grade
students participating in interscholastic sports shall adhere to the restrictions in By-Law 3.13 during their sports season.]
b. Junior High School Sponsored - During the School Year (Restricted by Residence/Enrollment): A youth-aged
sports camp may be offered to students in grades K-5 who live within the residence boundaries of the junior high school
which is sponsoring the camp and who are enrolled and attending the elementary school managed and funded by that
high school’s district or system and which feeds directly to that junior high school.
c. During the Summer (Open): A high school may sponsor a youth-aged sports camp open to any students to attend up
to and including the summer preceding entry into the 8th grade. A junior high school may sponsor a youth-aged sports
camp open to any students to attend up to and including the summer preceding entry into the 6th grade.
d. Student Assistants: High school students, including athletes, may assist with youth-aged sports camps that are
sponsored by the high school in which they are enrolled. Junior high school students, including athletes, may assist
with youth-aged sports camps that are sponsored by the junior high school in which they are enrolled. Sport-specic
contact that takes place outside of the school sport season between a high school or junior high school athlete and his/
her sport coach(es) as a result of assisting with a bona de youth-aged sports camp shall not constitute a violation of the
restrictions outlined in By-Laws 3.13, 3.14 or 3.15, nor shall count as a contact day. (Editor's Note: Such assistance
may not take place during a no-contact or dead period.)
Youth Camps Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our high school would like to sponsor a youth-aged sports camp. May we do so: a) in the summer? b) during the
school year? c) during a no-contact period or summertime dead period?
A1: a) Yes. A high school may sponsor a youth-aged sports camp during the summer and may open it up to any student
to attend. Students going INTO the 8th grade and younger may attend. b) Yes, however, participants are restricted to
those students who live within the residence boundaries of that high school and who are enrolled in and attending that
high school’s direct feeder junior high school, within the same school district. c) No. Youth camps may not be held
during a no-contact period or summertime dead period.
3.13 SPORT PARTICIPATION AND CONTACT – WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT SEASON
DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
3.13.1 Restrictions While Participating Interscholastically: During the sport season in which a student represents his/her school
by competing in an interscholastic athletic contest, the following guidelines and restrictions shall apply. A student who joins a
school sports team for the rst time must have abided by these restrictions beginning with the rst day of the current season
of the sport concerned.
a. Denition of the School Year: For the purposes of By-Laws 3.13, 3.14, and 3.15, the school year is dened as the
period beginning with the rst allowable practice date for the fall (Monday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Five)
and ending the last day of school or the Thursday preceding Memorial Day, whichever is earlier. However, if a school
team is still competing in district or state tournament series contests, the “in season” restrictions would continue to apply
to those varsity athletes.
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 73
b. Denition of School Sports Season: A school sports season shall be dened as the period beginning with the date of
the school’s rst practice with any part of a sports team held on or after the rst allowable practice date for the MSHSAA
sport season and ending with the school’s last contest, including district and state tournament contests, in that sport.
c. Winter and Spring Sport No-Contact Period: The seven days prior to the rst allowable practice date for the season
shall be a seasonal no-contact period in which no “contact” as dened in By-Law 3.15 takes place between school
coaches/directors of MSHSAA sponsored winter or spring activities, respectively, and students enrolled in the member
school, or who will be enrolled in the member school during the upcoming school year. (See By-Law 3.15 for Fall Sport
No-Contact Period)
3.13.2 Organized Non-School Competition: Athletic competition shall be considered “organized” if any of the following conditions
exist: Competition is scheduled and publicized in advance, ofcial score is kept, individual or team standings are maintained,
ofcial timer or game ofcials are used, admission is charged, teams are regularly formed or team rosters are predetermined,
team members are dressed in team uniforms or a team is privately or commercially-sponsored. Further, competition which is
either directly or indirectly sponsored, promoted or administered by an individual, organization, or any other agency shall be
considered organized.
a. Same Season/Same Sport: A student shall neither practice nor compete as a member of a non-school team or as an
individual participant in organized non-school competition in that same sport, except as provided for specically below. In
order to be eligible for the school team, the student must join the team at the start of the season and attend all scheduled
school practices and contests. Participation in a non-school sport event that is specically allowed in Section 3 must be
approved in advance by a school administrator. Absences not related to non-school competition will be handled locally.
1. Fall Non-School Competition Exception: For fall sports, students may continue in non-school competition until the
Tuesday following Labor Day, with prior approval by a school administrator.
2. Swimming/Diving: During the school sport season of swimming and diving, a student may, after fullling all
requirements, practices and competitions of the school swimming and diving team, practice and/or compete as
a member of a non-school team or as an individual participant in an organized non-school swimming and diving
practice or competition under the conditions listed below.
(a) Priority shall be given to all school team practices and competition. Should a non-school practice/competition
be in direct conict with the school scheduled practice/competition the school practice/competition shall take
priority. Prior approval by the school administrator may grant an exception to a student to participate in a non-
school swimming or diving competition (not practice) if in direct conict with the school program.
(b) No school time shall be missed to compete, practice or travel to the site of such non-school swimming and
diving competition unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator.
(c) A school shall not replace its swimming or diving program with any non-school swimming or diving program.
(d) In order to remain eligible under this exception to the non-school competition rule, the student must join the
team at the start of the season and attend all scheduled school practices and contests, unless attending a
non-school competition with prior approval by a school administrator. Absences not related to non-school
competition will be handled locally.
(e) After the rst allowable practice date, no school swimming coach may provide any coaching or instruction to
any student while that student is participating in a non-school competition during the school sport season.
Editor’s Note: Outside of the school sport season, coaching contact restrictions apply.
3. Cross-Country, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field, and Wrestling: During the school sport season, a student may,
after fullling all requirements, practices and competitions of the school team, compete as an individual participant in
two (2) organized non-school competitions under the conditions listed below.
(a) Priority shall be given to all school team practices and competition. Should a non-school competition be in
direct conict with the school scheduled practice/competition the school practice/competition shall take priority.
Prior approval by the school administrator may grant an exception to a student to participate in the non-school
competition if in direct conict with the school program.
(b) No school time shall be missed to compete, practice or travel to the site of such non-school competition unless
the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator.
(c) The student shall not miss any MSHSAA sponsored postseason event that involves either the student or his/her
school team to participate in such non-school competition.
(d) In order to remain eligible under this exception to the non-school competition rule, the student must join the
team at the start of the season and attend all scheduled school practices and contests, unless attending a
non-school competition with prior approval by a school administrator. Absences not related to non-school
competition will be handled locally.
(e) After the rst allowable practice date, no school coach of the applicable sport in season may provide any
coaching or instruction to any student while that student is participating in a non-school competition during the
school sport season. Editor’s Note: Outside of the school sport season, coaching contact restrictions apply.
4. Non-School Team Tryout: With prior approval by a school administrator, a student may participate in a one-day,
one-time non-school team tryout provided the tryouts are held on a day the students do not practice or play for the
school team and provided the tryout is exclusively an experience in which a student is tested and screened for ability
and placement on a roster and does not include any instruction, coaching, practice, workout, etc. Students may
not participate in any game competition or scrimmages for the non-school team until after the high school team has
completed its season by playing its last contest. Any non-school team tryout is limited to one day.
b. Same Season/Different Sport: A student may practice or compete as a member of a non-school team or as an
individual participant in organized non-school competition in a different sport than the school sport in season under
Page 74 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
the following specic conditions. In order to be eligible for the school team, the student must join the team at the start
of the season and attend all scheduled school practices and contests. Participation in a non-school sport event that is
specically allowed in Section 3 must be approved in advance by a school administrator. Absences not related to non-
school competition will be handled locally.
1. No school time is missed to compete, practice for, or travel to the site of such non-school competition unless the
absence is approved in advance by the school administrator.
2. The student shall not practice for or compete in the non-school competition on the same date the school team
practices or competes, without approval of the school administrator.
3. School Coaches: If held during the school year but outside the designated school season for the sport:
(a) A high school coach of any sport may not provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently
attends or will attend the member high school (grades 9-12) the following year.
(b) A junior high school coach of any sport may not provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently
attends or will attend the member junior high school (grades 7-8) the following year.
(c) No coach may play on a non-school team on which members of his/her school team will be participating nor
may he/she be directly involved in the actual administration of such games, including ofciating.
4. Not Representing the School: The student shall not represent the school and shall not use school uniforms or
equipment.
5. Voluntary: Participation in non-school competition must be voluntary on the part of the student and not required
directly or indirectly for membership on a school team.
6. Transportation: Students must provide their own transportation to participate in non-school competition; schools
shall not provide or arrange for transportation for students to participate in non-school competition.
3.13.3 National Governing Body Olympic-Path/U.S. National Team: The Board of Directors may make an exception to the
provisions of By-Law 3.13.2 or 3.13.6 to permit a student to participate as an individual (not representing his/her school)
in either a competition or a specialized camp, clinic or other similar program involving coaching and instruction during the
school sport season of the sport concerned or in a different sport than the school sport in season without loss of
interscholastic eligibility, under the following terms and conditions:
a. As a member of a U.S. National Team (and the actual, direct tryouts therefore), which is dened as one selected by
the national governing body of the sport on a national qualication basis either through a dened selective process or
actual tryouts for the purpose of international competition which requires the entries to ofcially represent their respective
nations, although it is not necessary there be team scoring by nation; or
b. As a participant at an elite level of a National Governing Body's (NGB) Olympic-path development program, which is
dened by MSHSAA to be an elite training program or competition:
1. Conducted or sponsored by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC); or
2. Directly funded and conducted by the USOC member national governing body (NGB) on a national level (e.g.
NGB national championship competition and the direct qualications therefore, or NGB training camp in Colorado
Springs); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, participation as described in a. and b. above may be an exception to the other
provisions of By-Law 3.13 only if:
(a) The participation is approved by the student’s school principal, and MSHSAA is notied in writing by the
principal at least 30 days prior to the start of the program; and
(b) The student makes prior arrangements to complete missed academic lessons, assignments and tests before
the last day of classes of the credit grading period in which the student’s absence occurs; and
(c) The student misses no MSHSAA sponsored postseason athletic event involving a team in that sport; and
(d) It is conrmed that there are no other such opportunities outside the school sport season; and
(e) A list of all invited participants by state is publicly available or made available for review.
3.13.4 Evaluation Events Conducted by Private Organizers (See By-Law 3.11.1.b for College/University-Conducted Recruiting
Events): Participation in Evaluation Events not directly sponsored by a college or university and not conducted by that
college or university’s coaching staff for the sport, in which one or more students participate in physical activity including
individual or group drills and/or limited scrimmages (not complete games) for the purpose of revealing, demonstrating
or displaying the student’s athletic abilities in a specic sport to the coaching staff of one or more colleges/universities for
recruiting purposes, may be permitted as described below.
a. Same Season/Same Sport: An athlete shall not participate in an evaluation event, as described above, during the
school sports season for the sport concerned under any circumstances.
b. Same Season/Different Sport: The student may participate in an evaluation event, as described above, during a season
in which he/she is competing in a different school sport, provided no school time is missed to travel to or participate in the
sport-specic instruction, without the prior approval of a school administrator.
3.13.5 Sport-Specic Instruction by Private Organizers or Schools (See By-Law 3.11.1.c for College/University-Conducted
Individual Instruction Events):
a. Denition of Sport-Specic Instruction: Instructional clinic or group lesson events which involve individual instruction
in a specic sport that include activities designed to improve overall skills and general knowledge in the respective sport.
The primary emphasis shall be on teaching individual player skills, and there is no complete game competition other than
limited scrimmage situations. (See By-Law 3.13.2 for Organized Non-School Competition in regard to events that include
full games, such as “team camps” and see By-Law 3.12.4 for Youth-Aged Instructional Events.)
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 75
b. General Requirements:
1. Private, one-on-one instruction provided by a person not afliated with the school a student attends or will attend
the following year may be received at any time. Such instruction shall not interfere with the practice schedule of the
school team nor serve as a substitute for the school team’s practice sessions.
2. No school coach or other school representative may directly or by implication direct a student to attend specialized
sports instruction as a condition for team membership.
3. Any instruction fee, charge or tuition shall be paid by the student or the student’s parents. School transportation may
be provided at no cost to the students, at the discretion of the school.
4. No school-owned uniforms or player equipment shall be used in any instructional event other than as outlined in By-
Law 3.15, Summer. Member schools may not rent, sell, lease, or loan their uniforms or player equipment for use in
non-school sponsored instructional events, other than outlined in By-Law 3.15, Summer.
c. Same Season/Same Sport: During the school year and within the school sport season for the sport concerned, a
student may attend school organized or privately organized specialized sports instruction under the following conditions,
in addition to those outlined in letter b, General Requirements, above:
1. A student may attend only one sport-specic instructional event conducted by Private Organizers which meets all of
the above requirements.
2. Prior approval from the school administrator and a school coach for the school sport in season is required.
3. The primary emphasis shall be on teaching individual player skills and there is no competition other than limited
scrimmage situations;
4. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the sport-specic instruction,
without the prior approval of a school administrator.
5. If school or school-district sponsored, only students enrolled in the sponsoring school or school district, respectively,
may attend.
d. Same Season/Different Sport: During the school year and within a season a student is participating in an
interscholastic sport, the student may attend privately organized specialized sports instruction for a different sport under
the following conditions, in addition to those outlined in letter b, General Requirements, above:
1. No member school or member of the coaching staff of the school the student is attending or will be attending
the following year is involved in any way in the organization, sponsorship, or administration of the sport-specic
instruction.
2. Prior approval from the school administrator and a school coach for the school sport in season is required.
3. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the sport-specic instruction,
without the prior approval of a school administrator.
3.13.6 Penalty: The penalty for violation of By-Law 3.13 shall be ineligibility for a period not to exceed 365 days in the sport in which
the violation occurred.
Student Athlete Restrictions During Season Questions and Answers:
Q1: May Johnny participate in a non-school sponsored free throw contest during a season he is representing his school in
the sport of basketball or in pass, punt and kick contests during a season he is representing his school in the sport of
football?
A1: Yes. The MSHSAA Board of Directors interprets By-Law 3.13 as not restricting participation in non-school sponsored
contests involving individual skills of a team sport such as free throw contests or pass, punt, and kick contests. This
interpretation is based on the fact these activities involve only individual skills of a team sport and, as such, would not in
themselves constitute a sport per se by normal denition. It is suggested that Johnny discuss this opportunity with his
coach and A.D. Contest awards should be reviewed with By-Law 3.6.
Q2: Our school sponsors a boys swimming and diving team, but our school does not own its own pool. We rent practice
time in a public facility, and hold school practices on Monday through Friday afternoons for two hours. On Saturday
mornings, this facility sponsors an open swimming time. Usually the majority of our team, as well as our coach,
attends and swims; however, it is made clear to the team members that this is not a school practice and attendance is
completely optional. Some of our team members are members of a non-school club team, and attend club practices
at a different facility on Saturday mornings. Our A.D., in consultation with our swimming coach, has determined this is
not a requirement of the school program and is not a replacement. Thus, we believe the students may attend. Is this
correct?
A2: Yes. The swimmers are not replacing school swimming practice with club practice because the school does not offer
mandatory Saturday swimming practices. The principal shall have the nal opinion on the practices.
Q3: One of our swimmers has approached our principal requesting to miss this upcoming Friday school swimming practice
to travel to Oklahoma for a non-school swimming meet on Saturday. Our team has practice on Friday and does not
compete again until Tuesday. Would it be acceptable for our principal and coach to approve this request?
A3: This is considered a “case by case” request as permitted in the by-law to be addressed by the local school
administration. This decision rests with the school administrator. However, a school administrator may NOT provide
permission for a student to miss a school practice or meet to attend a club practice.
Q4: Our local American Legion baseball coach wishes to hold a tryout for his team prior to the completion of our high school
baseball season. May members of our high school baseball team participate in this tryout?
Page 76 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
A4: Yes, with school approval and provided the tryouts are held on a day the students do not practice or play for the school
baseball team and provided the tryout is exclusively an experience in which a student is tested and screened for
ability and placement on a roster and does not include any instruction, coaching, practice, workout, etc. They may not
participate in any game competition or scrimmages for the Legion team until after the high school baseball team has
completed its season by playing its last game. Any non-school team tryout held during the school season is limited to
one day.
Q5: Our school sponsors a fast-pitch softball team. During the school softball season, may a member of the team
participate in a non-school sponsored slow-pitch softball program?
A5: No. Slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball are considered as the same sport -- softball. Thus, the restrictions contained in
MSHSAA By-Law 3.13 would prohibit a member of a school’s fast-pitch softball team from playing in slow-pitch softball
during the school softball season. The same would be true of indoor and outdoor soccer. Indoor soccer is interpreted
to be the same as outdoor soccer as far as this regulation is concerned.
Q6: We have a track and eld athlete who is a member of a local non-school track and eld club. Her parents want the club
coach to work with her during our school track and eld season. What restrictions must be observed if we permit this?
A6: MSHSAA By-Law 3.13 permits a student to receive private one-on-one instruction in the skills of a sport from a person
not afliated with the school the student attends or will attend the following year. However, this instruction shall not take
place at an interscholastic practice or event nor shall it interfere with the practice or competition schedule of the school
nor serve as a substitute for the school team’s practice sessions. It is suggested that she discuss this opportunity with
her coach and A.D.
Q7: My daughter participates on the high school tennis team and we are currently in season. May she participate in a USTA
tennis tournament during the high school tennis season? Does it matter whether the tournament is held in one day, or
on two consecutive days?
A7: Tennis players are allowed to participate in two non-school competitions during the school tennis season as per an
exception to the non-school competition rules for individual sports. Therefore, this USTA tennis tournament will count
as one of the allowable two non-school competitions during the season. A tournament will count as one competition
even if it is held on multiple (but consecutive) days. The school coach may not coach the student in the non-school
tournament.
Q8: My son participates on the high school tennis team and we are currently in season. May he participate in a weekly
tennis league at his tennis club over a course of several calendar dates during the high school tennis season?
A8: Tennis players are allowed to participate in two non-school competitions during the school tennis season as per an
exception to the non-school competition rules for individual sports. Therefore, he may participate in the tennis league;
however, each calendar date that a tennis league match is played will count as one of the allowable two non-school
competitions during the season. So, the student will only be able to play league matches on a total of two calendar
dates.
Q9: Our school has a few fall sport athletes that, in addition to high school practices, are still competing on non-school
teams during the month of August with our permission. We are concerned about their participation in night games with
their summer sport teams after completing two-a-day practices with us under the heat acclimatization schedule and
requirements. How should we handle this situation?
A9: It is important for you to discuss the heat acclimatization schedule, along with the health and welfare reasons for
it with all of your athletes and their parents so they are able to make informed decisions for themselves on what is
safe and appropriate beyond school practices during the heat of summer. You will not be aware of everything your
athletes are doing beyond your practices during the rst 16+ days of the season and the students and parents need to
understand the risks of heat exhaustion, heat stroke in the time period before they have increased their exercise heat
tolerance. Excess sport practices and exertion, beyond the high school sport heat acclimatization schedule, should be
discouraged until the acclimatization schedule is completed, and communication should continue regarding suggested
(or mandated) limits after that and until non-school competition ends for fall season athletes on Labor Day.
Q10: Our school has a soccer player that is nishing up competition on a select summer team and his season runs into the
high school fall soccer season. He will be playing off and on for the rst two weeks of the high school season. a) Is
that allowable? b) Can he nish up with his select them and then join our high school team later?
A10: a) Fall school sport athletes can, if approved by their school administration, continue to compete in non-school
competition until Labor Day, however: they must join the school team at the start of the season. b) No, he must join
the team when school practices start. He could be released by school administration for specic non-school games
that are in conict with practice (at the school’s discretion), but he is expected to be at practice on days he is not
competing. If he fails to come to practice and drops in for the school season after his select team is done competing he
will be ineligible. Coaches and students must communicate regarding the start of school practice and the expectations
of the high school team. In the spring and/or during summer activities, coaches should make it clear that they need
to be contacted regarding conicts (sport-related or otherwise) that might prevent a student from coming to the rst
practice.
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 77
Q11: Our Parks Department has started a beach volleyball league during the fall while our high school girls volleyball season
is underway. a) Can the players on our high school team participate (practice and compete) in this league during their
high school season? b) Can our girls volleyball coach be a coach for the beach volleyball league during the fall high
school volleyball season when they already have instructional access to our volleyball players? c) Can our volleyball
coach be a coach for the spring beach volleyball league and coach any enrolled student from our school?
A11: Beach volleyball is considered a different sport than hard-court volleyball, so for the players in a) this scenario would
fall under By-Law 3.13.2.b, as the beach volleyball league would be non-school competition. There are certain
restrictions that must be followed when a student is playing one high school sport at the same time as a different non-
school sport. Players should also seek permission to do so from their coach. Refer to the three items under By-Law
3.13.2.b for more information. In both b) and c) the answer is no, the coach cannot coach enrolled students in non-
school competition in any sport during the school year. Further, by defining beach volleyball as a different sport than
hard-court volleyball (at the request of the Volleyball Advisory Committee), the instructional access to the high school
girls volleyball players does not extend to non-school competition, nor to other sports, during the school year. (See also
By-Law 3.25)
3.14 SPORT PARTICIPATION AND CONTACT – WHEN NOT PARTICIPATING IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT SEASON
DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
3.14.1 Restrictions When NOT Participating Interscholastically: During any sport season within the school year (dened in
3.13.1) that a student is not a member of a school sport team, the following guidelines and restrictions regarding other sport
participation and contact with school personnel apply.
3.14.2 Organized Non-School Competition: (Dened in By-Law 3.13.2) An athlete may participate in non-school sponsored
competition in a sport in which MSHSAA member schools compete interscholastically during this period provided:
a. Non-School: Athletic competition shall be considered “non-school” only if the competition is sponsored by a non-
school entity (civic organization, service organization, parks and recreation department, etc.). Member schools, school
booster clubs, and other school clubs and organizations are prohibited from sponsoring any sports competition in sports
in which their school participates interscholastically and which includes students from any member school as participants,
other than provided for in By-Laws 3.29 and 3.30 (Sport Season Provisions). If member school facilities are used,
arrangements for use of the facilities must be made by the sponsoring organization in accord with lease or rental policies
adopted by the Board of Education to apply to general use of school facilities by non-school groups. Further, if member
school facilities are used, it is strongly recommended that medical and liability insurance coverage be provided by the
sponsoring organization.
b. Missing School: If held during the school year, no school time is missed to compete, practice for, or travel to the site of
the non-school competition unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator.
c. School Coaches: If held during the school year but outside the designated school season for the sport:
1. A high school coach of any sport may not provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently attends or
will attend the member high school (grades 9-12) the following year.
2. A junior high school coach of any sport may not provide any coaching or instruction to any student who currently
attends or will attend the member junior high school the following year.
3. No coach may play on a non-school team on which members of his/her school team will be participating nor may
he/she be directly involved in the actual administration of such games, including ofciating.
d. Not Representing the School: The student shall not represent the school and shall not use school uniforms or
equipment.
e. Voluntary: Participation in non-school competition must be voluntary on the part of the student and not required directly
or indirectly for membership on a school team.
f. Transportation: Students must provide their own transportation to participate in non-school competition; schools shall
not provide or arrange for transportation for students to participate in non-school competition.
3.14.3 Olympic Development/U.S. National Team: An athlete may participate in a competition or a specialized camp, clinic or
other similar program involving coaching and instruction, as dened in By-Law 3.13.3, during this period provided the student
makes prior arrangements to complete missed academic lessons, assignments and tests before the last day of classes of the
credit grading period in which the student’s absence occurs.
3.14.4 Evaluation Events Conducted by Private Organizers: (Dened in By-Law 3.13.4) (See By-Law 3.11.1.b for College/
University Conducted Recruiting Events): A student may participate in an evaluation event, as described in By-Law 3.13.4,
during a period when the student is not participating in an interscholastic sport season, provided no school time is missed to
travel to or participate in the event unless the absence is approved in advance by the school administrator.
3.14.5 Sport-Specic Instruction by Private Organizers (See By-Law 3.11.1.c for College/University-Conducted Individual
Instruction Events): During a period the student is not a member of a school sport team, he/she may participate in non-
school sponsored specialized sports instruction under the following conditions:
a. Private, one-on-one instruction provided by a person not afliated with the school a student attends or will attend the
following year may be received at any time.
b. During the academic year, no school time may be missed to travel to or participate in the sport-specic instruction,
without the prior approval of a school administrator.
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c. No member school or member of the coaching staff of the school the student is attending or will be attending the
following year is involved in any way in the organization, sponsorship, or administration of the sport-specic instruction.
d. No school coach or other school representative may directly or by implication direct a student to attend specialized sports
instruction as a condition for team membership.
e. Any instruction fee, charge or tuition shall be paid by the student or the student’s parents.
f. No school-owned uniforms or player equipment shall be used in any instructional event other than as outlined in By-Law
3.15, Summer. Member schools may not rent, sell, lease, or loan their uniforms or player equipment for use in non-school
sponsored instructional events, other than outlined in By-Law 3.15, Summer.
3.14.6 Out-of-Season Sports Conditioning: During a period the student is not a member of a school sport team, he/she may
participate in an out-of-season sports conditioning program administered by a member school, under the following conditions:
a. Allowable Participants – High School Programs: Only students who meet one of the following categories may
participate in a high school’s out-of-season sports conditioning program:
1. Students who are fully enrolled in the school administering the program.
2. Eighth grade students who live within the residence boundaries of the high school which is administering the
program and who are enrolled and attending the junior high school managed and funded by that high school’s district
or system and which feeds directly to that high school.
3. Eighth graders enrolled in a junior high school that is participating in a cooperative sponsorship (By-Law. 1.4) may
participate in the out-of-season sports conditioning program at any high school to which any junior high in the co-
op directly feeds, with the permission of the principal of the high school to which his/her junior high directly feeds.
(Editor's Note: K-8 districts do not directly feed any one high school, and therefore, students may not participate in
high school OOSSC programs.)
b. Allowable Participants – Junior High School Programs: Only students who are fully enrolled in the junior high school
administering an out-of-season sports conditioning program may participate.
c. Participation in the program must be open to all students enrolled in the school.
d. Participation is voluntary and is not required directly or indirectly for membership on a school team.
e. Participants will furnish their own clothing (sweat suits, shorts, shoes, etc.).
f. Activities shall be limited to running, weight training, and calisthenics. Agility drills that do not involve specic skills of a
given sport are also permitted.
g. Specic equipment pertaining to a given sport may not be used. This includes, but is not limited to, such items as
footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, wrestling mats, hurdles, shot put, discus, high jump or pole vault standards or landing
pits, batting cages, blocking or tackling dummies, charging sleds, and other similar equipment.
h. In those cases where schools schedule all athletes into a “last hour” athletics class during the school day in which no
physical education credit is offered, the guidelines outlined in items c, d, and e above shall apply. If this class is a part
of the school physical education program and credit is given, those athletes whose sport is not in season may receive
instruction in a given sport as long as the different periods in the daily schedule include the same instruction. The
teaching units in the physical education program in such situations shall be scheduled so sports that are in season or
sports not included in the school’s interscholastic program are taught. It is strongly recommended that “last hour” athletics
class not be used as a substitute for the regular physical education requirement.
3.14.7 Out-of-Season Sport-Specic Practice Periods (High School Only): Students may have instructional interaction with
approved school coaches under the following conditions:
a. Out-of-Season Practice periods are seven weeks in length, and the interaction time may not exceed three hours per
week (Sunday to Saturday). See Diagram 3.14.7 for specics. Any interaction time, on a given day, will count as at least
one hour of the three allowable hours. Interaction time, on a specic day, may not exceed 90 minutes.
b. Such practices may be sport and gender specic, and non-school facilities may be used. Group and individual player
skill development, drills, and instruction, are allowable. Competition (interscholastic or non-school) is not allowable.
c. The opportunity to participate is open to enrolled students at the high school only (no 8th graders).
d. Use of these practice periods is optional and will be determined by local school administration.
e. Times other than the periods specied in Diagram 3.14.7 are dead periods and no contact with school coaches is
allowable other than what is allowed in 3.14.6. The seven-day "No-Contact Periods" prior to each season remain in
effect (3.13.1.c, 3.14.8 and 3.15.1.b).
f. Football Restrictions During Out-of-Season Practice Period: The use of football protective equipment (helmets/shoulder
pads), which promotes full pad contact, CANNOT be used during the practice period. Full pad contact with the use of
protective equipment may only occur during the season and for a limited number of days during the dened summer for
safety reasons.
g. Open Facilities for enrolled students may not be held during the sport's Out-of-Season Practice Period even if the period
is not utilized. Refer also to the Board Policy on Open Facilities for allowances and restrictions.
Diagram 3.14.7 (1): Out-of-Season Sport-Specic Practice Periods (High School Only)
Periods Open Close Sport Season Duration
Period 1 Monday - Week #10 Friday - Week #16 Fall: Winter Sports Contact 7 weeks
Period 2 Monday - Week #27 Friday - Week #33 Winter: Spring Sports Contact 7 weeks
Period 3 Monday - Week #39 Friday - Week #45 Spring: Fall Sports Contact 7 weeks
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 79
Diagram 3.14.7 (2): Annual
Fall Winter Spring Summer
Fall Sports Interscholastic season Open Facility (Period 2) Practice Period (Period 3) 20 contact days
Winter Sports Practice Period (Period 1) Interscholastic season Open Facility (Period 3) 20 contact days
Spring Sports Open Facility (Period 1) Practice Period (Period 2) Interscholastic season 20 contact days
3.14.8 Winter and Spring Sport No-Contact Period: The seven days prior to the rst allowable practice date for the season shall
be a seasonal no-contact period in which no “contact” as dened in By-Law 3.15.1.c takes place between school coaches/
directors of MSHSAA sponsored winter or spring activities, respectively, and students enrolled in the member school, or who
will be enrolled in the member school during the upcoming school year.
3.14.9 Penalty: The penalty for violation of By-Law 3.14 shall be ineligibility for a period not to exceed 365 days in the sport in which
the violation occurred.
Student Athlete Restrictions When Not Participating Interscholastically Questions and Answers:
Q1: May a high school coach work with school team members in non-school sponsored athletic events (practice or
competition) during the school year?
A1: No. Denite sport seasons have been established during the school year in which school coaches may work with
members of school sports teams. It is NOT permissible for a high school coach to coach school team members in
non-school competitive programs held inside OR outside of the school sport season during the school year. It should
also be understood that participation in a non-school program shall be voluntary on the part of the individual student.
Athletes may not be required to participate in non-school programs by their coaches.
Q2: I am the high school volleyball coach and my daughter is a student at my school and she plays volleyball. Can I coach
my daughter in non-school competition (USAV) in the spring (a) if she is the only student from my school on the non-
school team, or (b) if her USAV team includes other students that attend or will attend my school next year?
A2: In situation (a), yes you may coach her team in non-school competition. The no-contact rule is not in place for sons/
daughters of school coaches. However, in situation (b) you could not coach that team. Even though you are allowed
to coach your daughter, you may have no instructional contact with other enrolled students at your school or students
that will be enrolled next year, outside of the school sports season, during the school year. The exception for your son/
daughter does not extend to other students at the school.
Q3: Our Booster Club would like to sponsor a three-on-three basketball competition for high school students in April to raise
money for new basketball warm-ups. Is it permissible for our Booster Club to conduct this event?
A3: No. A Booster Club may not sponsor the three-on-three competition because the club is a sub-group of the school,
and schools may not sponsor non-school competition for kids in grades seven through twelve. It is acceptable for an
outside group, such as a civic group, to sponsor such an event and any students from your school may participate.
Q4: May a booster club defray the expenses for a member school’s boys and girls basketball teams to attend any basketball
camp?
A4: No. The cost of attending a specialized sports camp must be paid by the student or parents/guardian of the student.
Expenses of the camp include all fees/tuition, travel, lodging, meals and wearing apparel.
Q5: I have a female student that would like to be a manager for the a) boys tennis team, or b) the wrestling team. Is this a
problem?
A5: The role of a manager rst needs to be reviewed. A manager who is performing only non-skill activities, such as
providing water for the team, keeping statistics, retrieving wayward balls, assisting with uniform inventory or cleaning,
etc. may be affected by the by-laws differently than a manager who may be involved in skill activities such as volleying
with team members in tennis or volleyball, performing in drills as an extra player, etc. In both a) and b) students who
wish to have any eligibility in the applicable sport (even if it is in a separate season) should not serve as managers.
Instruction provided to team members but heard by others, including managers, counts as coaching and contact. Sport
instruction (tennis) received outside of the season (girls tennis) would be a violation for a female manager who also
plays girls tennis. If the student has no desire or expectation to participate in the applicable sport, the violation and the
resulting ineligibility in that sport (for 365 days) would be irrelevant. If you are concerned about a specic scenario,
please contact the MSHSAA ofce for an interpretation. Note: Schools should review their liability coverage as it relates
to managers periodically as well.
Q6: We have an 8th grade student who is currently participating in track. The high school football coach wants the student
to participate in out-of-season conditioning at the high school. Our track coach doesn’t want to lose him during track
practice. Is this even allowable?
A6: Out-of-season Conditioning is not sport-specic. The rst phrase in the by-law governing out-of-season conditioning
is “During a period the student is not a member of a school sport team…” so the student may not participate in the
conditioning program at the high school. An interscholastic sport in season takes precedence over conditioning
programs.
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Q7: Our high school is considering offering an intramural program. What are the differences between intramurals and
interscholastic activities, and what aspects of setting up a program should we be careful about?
A7: Intramurals are activity programs for enrolled students of a school and competition is between those students
only, rather than with students of other schools. Intramural programs are free-play activities that offer no instruction
or “practice.” Interscholastic activities are those that bring the students of more than one school together for
participation, evaluation and/or competition with instruction, practice, season limits, etc. It is a local school decision
whether or not to allow students that participate in interscholastic athletics to participate in intramurals. Whether or not
to require physicals prior to participating in the intramural program is also a local school decision. The MSHSAA by-
laws govern interscholastic activities for member schools and afliate registered schools. High school interscholastic
sport coaches may supervise and ofciate intramural programs, but may not instruct participants (unless the intramural
program is held within the school sport season). The intramural program should not be viewed as an avenue for sport
practice outside of the season.
Q8: Our school is an independent high school that includes only grades nine through twelve. We administer no lower
school and join MSHSAA as a separate high school member. What 8th grade students may we invite to participate in
our out-of-season sports conditioning program?
A8: The conditioning program allowance was requested by high schools who wanted to have more access the “their” 8th
graders – those students who are already enrolled and attending that high school’s direct feeder junior high school, and
where both of these schools are within the same school district, overseen by a common superintendent. Since your
school is not connected to any junior high school, no group of 8th graders would be able to participate in your out-of-
season conditioning program.
Q9: Junior High School A is a direct feeder school to High School A. For the sport of basketball, Junior High School A co-
ops with neighboring Junior High School B, which is a direct feeder school to High School B. The 8th graders at Junior
High School A would like to participate in the out-of-season conditioning program at High School B. Would this be
allowable if: a) High School A doesn’t offer an out-of-season conditioning program, b) High School A and High School
B co-op for high school basketball or c) High School A doesn’t mind?
A9: Because of the junior high school co-op already in place, it would be allowable for 8th graders at Junior High School A
to participate in High School B’s out-of-season conditioning program for any of the three reasons listed, as long as the
principal of High School A approves their participation. (By-Law 3.14.7.c)
Q10: Can an 8th grade student who is enrolled in a K-8 school participate in the out-of-season conditioning program at one
of the high schools he can choose to attend next year?
A10: No. K-8 schools are not only separate schools, they are separate school districts. Students attending K-8’s have the
choice of attending several different high schools in different school districts. The conditioning program allowance was
requested by high schools who wanted to have more access the “their” 8th graders – those students who are enrolled
and attending that high school’s direct feeder junior high school, and where both of these schools are within the same
school district, overseen by one superintendent. Students in K-8 schools may participate in a conditioning program
administered by their own school or may condition on their own, but may not participate with any high school’s out-of-
season conditioning program.
Q11: Our daughter is traveling a) with the school basketball team to a game where she will represent the school or b)
to a softball clinic where she will receive softball skill instruction. Who needs to pay the fee? Who can provide
transportation?
A11: For a) the school can pay the fee for the event and all expenses, and provide transportation for participants without any
amateurism issues. For b) parents must pay the fee.
Q12: We have a large number of students participating in our Baseball Out-of-Season Practices. My coach has proposed
the following schedules, are they permissible? a) Schedule 1: Juniors and seniors practice Monday, Wednesday and
Friday from 6 to 7 a.m. and freshmen and sophomores practice Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 8 a.m. b) Schedule
2: The only practice days are Tuesday and Thursday; juniors and seniors practice for 45 minutes those two days in the
morning and freshmen and sophomores practice for 45 minutes in the evening.
A12: a) Schedule 1 is impermissible. Although the daily amount of time is only an hour, the total amount of time for the
program is five hours which exceeds the weekly maximum of three hours. Separating the players due to team size
does not change the weekly limit for the baseball program as a whole. b) Schedule 2 is permissible. The total time for
the week does not exceed three hours and although the sessions are split into two sessions of 45 minutes, because
they are on the same day, it is considered one 90-minute session, which meets the daily limit.
3.15 SPORT PARTICIPATION AND CONTACT – DURING THE SUMMER
3.15.1 Denitions: The following denitions are provided:
a. Denition of Summer - High School: Summer is dened as the period beginning with the day following the last day
of school or the Friday preceding Memorial Day, whichever is earlier and ending Sunday of Standardized Calendar
Week Number Five for all fall-season sports (See By-Law 3.29.6) and ending Sunday of Standardized Calendar Week
Number Six for all other sports.
Editor’s Note: See By-Law 3.30.1 for junior high seasons.
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2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 81
DIAGRAM 3.15.1
SUMMER OF 2025 - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
Summer Begins: Last Day of School or May 30, whichever is earlier
Summer Ends for Fall Sports: Sunday, August 3, 2025
Fall Sport No-Contact Period: Monday, August 4, 2025 through Sunday, August 10, 2025
Summer Ends for Sports other than Fall Sports: Sunday, August 10, 2025
First Allowable Practice Date - Fall Season: Monday, August 11, 2025
First Allowable Contest Date - Fall Season: Friday, August 29, 2025
SUMMER OF 2025 - JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
Last Possible Spring Junior High Game Last Day of School
Summer Begins: Last Day of School or May 30, whichever is earlier
Summer Ends for Fall Sports: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Fall Sport No-Contact Period:
Monday, August 11 through Sunday, August 17 or later (the
seven days immediately preceding your sport's rst fall
practice)
Summer Ends for Sports other than Fall Sports: Sunday, August 17, 2025
First Allowable Practice Date - Fall Season: Monday, August 18, 2025
First Allowable Contest Date - Fall Season:
No earlier than Wednesday, September 3 and must
have had 14 separate practice days (See also Heat
Acclimatization)
b. Fall Sport No-Contact Period: The seven days prior to the rst allowable practice date for the fall season shall be a
seasonal no-contact period in which no “contact” as dened in By-Law 3.15.1.c takes place between school coaches of
MSHSAA sponsored fall sports and students enrolled in the member school, or who will be enrolled in the member school
during the upcoming school year.
c. Denition of Contact Day: A day of contact is dened as any date on which any coaching or instruction in the skills and
techniques of any sport takes place, regardless of whether activity-specic equipment is used. Any of the following would
count as a day of contact – school competition, non-school competition, practice, review or chalkboard sessions, open
facility, camp/clinic, evaluation events, group lessons, private lessons. Conditioning/Strength activities will not count as
a contact day, as long as the activity adheres to the provisions outlined in By-Law 3.14.6.a - h. Simply being at a school
facility will not count as a day of contact unless both coach and student are there and the sport (as dened above) is
taking place.
Editor’s Note: A coach for a cooperative sponsorship is a “coach” for all schools in the co-op, and contact days count for all
students of co-oping schools.
3.15.2 During the summer, students may participate in sports activity, as long as such activity meets the provisions contained in
other applicable MSHSAA By-Laws, and under the following conditions.
3.15.3 Limits on Contact – High School: For High Schools (Grades 9-12), a limit of 20 contact days is allowed per sport, per
gender during the summer (as dened in By-Law 3.15.1.a). Sports contact, as dened above, between any coach for a
particular sport and gender and any student enrolled at the member school or who will be enrolled in and attending the
member school that fall will count as one day of contact toward the limit of 20 days for that sport. Summer contact days shall
be documented and available upon request to other member schools and/or the MSHSAA ofce. By-Laws 3.13 (fall sports)
and 3.14 (winter and spring sports) shall govern contact taking place after “summer” has concluded. (See also By-Law 3.15.7
for enrollment requirement, and By-Law 3.1, Coaching Requirements.)
3.15.4 Limits on Contact – Junior High: A maximum of 20 contact days are allowed per sport, per gender during the summer (as
dened in By-Law 3.15.1.a). Sports contact, as dened above, between any coach for a particular sport and gender and
any student enrolled at the member school or who will be enrolled in and attending the member school that fall will count as
one day of contact toward the limit of 20 days for that sport. Summer contact days shall be documented and available upon
request to other member schools and/or the MSHSAA ofce. By-Laws 3.13 (fall sports) and 3.14 (winter and spring sports)
shall govern contact taking place after “summer” has concluded.
3.15.5 General Requirements:
a. Summertime Dead Period: See By-Law 1.5 regarding the required Summertime Dead Period.
b. Voluntary Participation: All participation of students during the summer shall be voluntary and cannot be required
directly or indirectly for team membership.
c. Amateur Standards: Students must adhere to the Amateur Standards outlined in By-Law 3.6.
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d. Any camp fee (tuition) shall be provided by the student or the student’s parents. Any use of school equipment and/or
facilities must be approved by school administration.
e. Non-School Sponsored Summer Activities & Events: No school owned personal player uniforms or equipment shall
be used in summer activities that are not school-sponsored, other than as outlined in By-Law 3.15.6.b. Member schools
may not rent, sell, lease, or loan their uniforms or player equipment for use in non-school sponsored camps or clinics or
contests, other than outlined in By-Law 3.15.6.b.
f. School-owned personal player uniforms and equipment may be used during the summer for school-sponsored summer
activities at the school’s discretion.
Editor’s Note 1: Private, one-on-one instruction: By-Law 3.13.5.b.1 is in place 365 days a year.
Editor’s Note 2: Students participating in any school-sponsored summer activities must be enrolled in the school prior to
participation. (See also By-Law 3.15.7.)
3.15.6 Football Activities: The following requirements are in place for the sport of football.
a. Denitions:
1. Half-Shell: Participants may wear football equipment consisting of helmets, shoulder pads, and jerseys only.
Contact is permitted with blocking sleds, dummies, and hand-to-chest contact is allowed for training on hand
placement and displacement of opponents only, and participants may not take other participants to the ground.
2. Full-Pad Tackle: Participants may wear equipment beyond what is dened as “half-shell” and contact beyond what
is outlined in “half-shell” is allowed.
3. Acclimatization Requirement: Full-pad tackle football is only allowed after a period of ve days of heat and
equipment acclimatization including two days in helmets only and three days in helmets/shoulder pads. These days
will count as days of summer contact toward the football limit.
4. Full-Pad Tackle Football Team Camp: For the purposes of this section, a full-pad tackle football team camp shall
be no fewer than three consecutive days and no more than six consecutive days. If such a team camp is attended
for FEWER than three consecutive days, it will still count as three summer contact days toward the limit of 20 and
will count as three full-pad tackle days toward the limit of nine.
b. Full-Pad Tackle Restrictions: A maximum of nine summer contact days may be used for full-pad tackle football under
the following options. All remaining summer contact days shall be conducted in no more than half-shell.
1. Non-School Sponsored Football Team Camps: Schools may allow personal player uniforms and equipment
(helmets, pads, jerseys, etc.), to be utilized when the school is attending a non-school sponsored team football
camp, where the school coach will be accompanying and coaching the players. Full-pad tackle football is allowed at
such a camp after the acclimation requirement is met, and under the duration limits in a-4 above.
2. School Sponsored Football Activity: Any activity (competitive or instructional) sponsored by one school
is restricted to students enrolled at that school. Full-pad tackle football is allowed in such activities after the
acclimatization requirement is met. Editor’s Note: No MSHSAA catastrophic insurance coverage is in place during
the summer. Schools are encouraged to review the MSHSAA Sports Medicine Manual regarding applicable topics,
such as heat acclimation and proper hydration.
3.15.7 School Sponsored Summer Sports Instruction/Camps: A member school may sponsor its own summer sport(s) camp(s)
(team and/or individual camp) during the summer provided the following criteria are met:
a. Only students enrolled to enter the 6th grade (Junior High membership or 6-12 membership) or the 9
th
grade (9-12
membership) who will attend the school, and currently enrolled students in the sponsoring member school, may attend
the school-sponsored camp. A school district may offer a summer camp to students enrolled in the school district for
the upcoming year in grades 6-12. (See By-Law 3.12.4 for youth camps which do not include 9-12 graders.)
b. For a school-sponsored team camp (i.e. various high schools bringing a full team for a team camp), each school team
participating in the camp shall be coached and supervised at all times by a member of that school’s coaching staff.
c. Late Release: Schools that release for summer following the dened start of summer may hold summer camps prior to
school release for summer as long as students do not miss any instructional time. Further, these days shall be counted
as summer contact days as dened in this section. Football is included in this allowance as well.
Editor’s Note: See By-Law 3.12.4 for coverage of youth camps.
3.15.8 Non-School Sponsored Summer Sports Camps: There is no restriction on the number of non-school sponsored special-
ized sports camps an individual athlete may attend during the summer provided all of the standards in this By-Law are met.
Editor’s Note: No MSHSAA catastrophic insurance coverage is in place during the summer.
Summertime Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school would like to transport a group of enrolled students on a school bus during the summer to a) a summer
basketball league game, or b) a summer basketball team camp. Is this permissible in the summer?
A1: In both, providing transportation to students for summertime events is at the discretion of the local school
administration. If your school prefers to transport your enrolled students on a school bus to an event (competition or
instructional) where the students are representing the school and school coaches are supervising the students, this
is allowable (summer only) and the transportation expenses do not need to be charged back to the students. (Please
note that there are different restrictions in place during the academic year as per By-Laws 3.13.5.b.3 and 3.14.2 and 5).
Q2: May a high school host a football team camp if it is not a full-contact camp (i.e. half-shell camps)?
A2: Yes, a school could hold a half-shell team camp. All teams must be accompanied by their school coach(es) and these
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days would count as days of contact. A school may NOT host a full-pad tackle team camp. Two or more schools can
come together for Air, Bag and Control but they cannot engage in Thud or Live contact.
Q3: Our summer school program begins the rst week in June and concludes the second week of July. We have a
conditioning and weight training class. The class is open to all students, most of whom are our athletes. The class is
taught by our football coach. Will this count as contact days?
A3: If the coach teaches a unit on football these days will be considered contact days and must be counted against the
school’s 20 days of football contact. If the class does not include sport specic instruction and is limited to generic
conditioning and weight-training, the summer school days will not count toward football contact days.
Q4: Our football coaches have worked out a schedule for the summer and have divided up the duties to allow each some
time off to be home with their families. The head coach is going to work with the team on Mondays and Wednesdays
and play seven-on-seven on Saturdays. Our assistant coaches are going to open up the weight room on Tuesdays and
Thursdays. We would also like to host our own camp the fourth week in July for four days. a) Do we have to count all of
these days as contact days? b) Can our assistant coaches go to the games on Saturdays?
A4: a) The days that any coach from that sport is giving instruction will be counted as contact days (Mondays, Wednesdays,
Saturdays and the four days of camp). If the assistant coaches’ contact is in regard to weight training only, those days
would not count as contact. However, if sport specic instruction takes place on those days, they count as contact
days. Example: Weight training concludes and the kickers go and get a couple of balls and practice kicking out on
the eld. Contact has now occurred. b) Your assistants can attend any function. The school must keep track of sport
specic contact. Any football contact, with instruction is considered one day of contact. You can have three coaches
with three different sets of students from the same school doing different things at different times on the same day and
that is one day of contact.
Q5: Our school’s tennis coach also has a full-time position with our local parks and recreation department. During the
summertime the parks department employs several of our high school students to help with youth instruction. Tennis
is one of our activities that is taught during the summer. a) Will these days count as contact days? b) Will the students
have to stop working during the “dead period”?
A5: a) Yes, the days that the school tennis coach is providing instruction in tennis to enrolled students are contact days. b)
During the dead period the school tennis coach cannot instruct students who are enrolled or will be enrolled in your
school next year. The enrolled students may not assist the tennis coach with instructions during the dead period.
Q6: Our YMCA sponsors a summertime volleyball league which they run in their facility. Enrolled students at our school
play on various teams that participate in this league during the summer. This summer several of our coaches, including
our volleyball coaches, are playing together on a team that is participating in this league. During the summer, a) Is it
permissible for one of the student teams to play against a faculty team? b) Does this count as contact? c) What if both
teams are playing, but not each other?
A6: None of these scenarios are permissible during your school's dead period. Other than that, a and b) It is permissible
for the teams to compete against one another and such activity will not count as contact unless the school coaches
instruct the enrolled students. c) The teams may play on the same night on different courts and this will not count as a
contact day, unless sport specic instruction is given.
Q7: Our school is going to attend a non-school football full-pad tackle camp in the southern part of the state. We will have
to travel for one day to get to the camp. Do the two days to drive there and back count as contact days?
A7: No, as long as these are purely travel days, they would not count as contact days. However, if you stop along the way
and practice, or if coaches are instructing during the trip down or back, these would become contact days.
Q8: I am a coach at a school and my daughter is a student at my school, and she participates in the sport that I coach. I am
coaching a summer league team that she plays on, but she is the only student from my school that plays on this team.
All other players are from other area schools. Will my days of instructing this team count as contact days?
A8: No. The only exemption to the contact rules is the coaching of a son/daughter, as long as there are no other
students on the team that are enrolled at the same school.
Q9: Is it allowable for students who just nished the 7th grade and will be 8th graders in the fall to play on a summer school
basketball team with students in grades 9-12?
A9: This depends on membership type and the team itself. If the basketball team is representing the school (i.e. school
coaches assisting, school uniforms worn, playing under school name, counting as contact days, etc.) then it would
be allowable for such a student to participate on the summer team with high school students only if the school’s
membership is a combined membership (6-12). If the school’s membership is 9-12, this would not be allowable
because the student is not an enrolled student at the member school. If the team is not representing the school,
participation is not restricted, but no school transportation may be provided, school uniforms may not be worn, etc.
Q10: Our high school coaches each want the school to sponsor a youth-aged sport camp this summer for incoming grades
4-8. We have two middle schools and several non-public parish schools going to grade 8. Are there restrictions on the
students who may attend?
A10: Yes, summer youth camps are “open” and any student may attend the camp who pays his or her own fees. However
the age range is restricted. Students entering the 8th grade in the fall, and younger students may attend. During the
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summer a student is viewed as being in the grade they will enter in the fall. Students going into the 9th grade may only
attend a high school camp at the high school in which they are enrolled.
Q11: The local Lions Club is sponsoring a basketball camp this summer and would like to use our high school gym. Can we
allow them to hold a camp in our facilities, and who may attend the camp?
A11: Your local school district policies would determine whether or not the Lions Club could use your facilities; however, the
Lions Club must follow the same guidelines for rental, use, proof of liability insurance, etc. that any other outside group
would be required to follow under your school district’s policies. Under such camp sponsorship (non-school entity), no
restrictions as to school enrollment of the participants would be in place. However, the sponsors should be careful not
to represent the camp as a school camp (using school mascot, colors, etc. in yers, on t-shirts, etc.)
Q12: Our team was scheduled to attend a team basketball camp during the rst week of summer vacation, which was
supposed to be a week before Memorial Day. Due to severe weather this winter and the resulting snow days, school
will still be in session that week. Due to our long-established plans to attend this camp, can our school receive an
exception due to the late change in our school release date and attend the team camp?
A12: No. While the Board of Directors has granted relief under similar circumstances for school-sponsored individual skills
camps, team camps before Memorial Day weekend have not been granted an exception. Unlike a school-sponsored
individual skills camp where only one school is affected, team camps involve various schools with varying release dates.
Granting one school an exception could place another school in a quandary.
Q13: When are High School a) Girls Volleyball Coaches and b) Baseball Coaches allowed to begin working with their summer
teams and how does this relate to contact days?
A13: Since girls volleyball is a fall sport and baseball is a spring sport which may continue to play after school is out, the
timing, allowances and restrictions are different. “Summer” is dened as beginning the day following the last day of
school or the Friday preceding Memorial Day, whichever is earlier. A coach may begin instructing a summer team
when: 1) his/her school season has concluded, and 2) summer has begun, by denition, for his/her school. So in a)
the girls volleyball coach can begin to work with students on the day after school is out, or the Friday prior to Memorial
Day, whichever comes rst, and everything counts as contact toward that limit. In b) however, the transition to summer
also depends on how far the team goes in the baseball season, in conjunction with the same two factors above (end
of school and Friday prior to Memorial Day). If the school is still competing in the district or state tournament series
in baseball AFTER school is out, the “in season” restrictions would continue to apply to the varsity athletes in that
sport. Example: The last day of school is May 10 for School A; however, the baseball team is still participating in the
spring school season and is preparing for districts. On May 11, students may begin summer activities in the sport of
girls volleyball (and other sports not in season or spring sports which have concluded) and must count all as contact
days toward the limit. The baseball team is still “in season” and varsity athletes continuing into districts may not begin
summer baseball activities, and contact days are not started until the day following their last postseason game. Due to
contact days being “sport-specic,” school baseball coaches should consider refraining from any summer activities for
junior varsity players (not continuing into districts) until the school season concludes, because any such contact will chip
away at their bank of 20 contact days for the sport of baseball (the limit is not by level).
Q14: Public school A is hosting a summer volleyball camp, grades 9-12, for district students during July. There are residents
within the school district who are attending a non-public school. Since they live within the school district, may they
attend school A’s volleyball camp?
A14: By-Law 3.15.7 provides that except for a team camp, only students enrolled in the sponsoring school or school district
may attend. Students living in a particular school district but who do not attend the public school serving that district are
not eligible to attend the public school’s sponsored individual camp. Students may only attend school sponsored camps
at the school in which they are ofcially enrolled, other than team camps.
Q15: I am a high school coach and plan to take a group to a team summer sports camp. How can or should I determine the
“team” that I take? (Hand-pick, promote it and take the rst ten that turn in their information and payment, take all that
want to go, etc.) What if 40 kids want to go? I obviously can’t take that many. Since my team is not yet set, I want to
be fair but I have to be realistic as well. What would be permissible?
A15: You are correct that since you are outside of the interscholastic season, your team is not “set.” Therefore, it is
not appropriate to hand-pick the group that you take. It would be acceptable to distribute camp information to the
underclass players from the past season’s school team, given they have already shown an interest in the sport. The
information should also be made publicly available to the students at school at the same time it is distributed to the
players, prior to the release of school for the summer. You may set a due date for the information and payment to be
turned in, and/or a maximum number that you plan to take (due to camp restrictions or logistics, etc.) with a rst-come
rst-served approach to reach your maximum. If you have more interest than space available for one team, you could
break the group into two teams and take all interested students (this may change the price per player since most team
camps charge by the team) and they would likely get more playing time at the camp. It would not be appropriate to hold
try-outs for selection of a team to attend the camp.
Q16: When may we allow our athletes to use our school-owned sports uniforms in the summer?
A16: During the summer, the use of schooled-owned player equipment is allowable if the event is “school-sponsored” -
meaning that school coaches are involved and players are participating under the name of the school, rather than the
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town or a non-school team. School-sponsored summer activities allow for the use of school-owned player equipment
and school transportation but restrict participation to ONLY enrolled students at the member school and counts as
contact days. Students or groups of students participating in non-school activities or on non-school teams may NOT use
school-owned player equipment and school transportation may NOT be provided.
Q17: What can take place in regard to a) fall sports or b) winter or spring sports during the week BEFORE the rst allowable
week of fall practice?
A17: By-Law 1.5 allows schools to set their summertime dead period for that week, so if that is your school’s dead period
you will need to follow all restrictions in By-Law 1.5.2. If your school has selected an earlier week for its dead period,
the athletic activities that may take place during that week are governed by two different by-laws. During that week,
fall sports are governed by By-Law 3.15.1.b, Fall Sport No-Contact Period, and no “contact” may take place. During
that week, winter and spring sports are still dened to be within the “summer” as per 3.15.1 (Denition of Summer) and
therefore, those sports must continue to follow the “contact day” requirements and count any contact toward their 20
days.
Q18: Can summer contact days be mandated? If a student chooses not to participate in our contact days over the summer,
can we take that into account when selecting our team for the sport season next year?
A18: No, summer contact days may not be mandated and lack of participation should not be taken into consideration for
try-outs and team membership. Everything outside of the school sport season is voluntary and cannot be required
directly or indirectly for team membership, including summer contact. The references to that language are located in
By-Laws 3.14, 3.15 and Bd Policy on Open Facilities. The most direct reference is the one in 3.15, Sport Participation
and Contact, because that covers the summer and relates directly to the contact days. Typically it’s true that if a student
doesn’t participate in summer activities, he may not advance in skills and ability to the level of those who do participate.
Skill can and should be taken into consideration for team selection. If skill is on par or ahead of other players, non-
participation in summer contact should not affect the selection decision negatively. Attitude, also, can and should be
taken into consideration during tryouts, along with effort and “coachability” and how kids get along with the other players,
etc. That gives coaches more avenues to differentiate between players during tryouts than just skill. It is important for
AD’s and coaches to place an emphasis on the tracking and measuring of sport skills, and any other factors that can be
used to differentiate players, so decisions can be more easily justied if/when they are questioned.
Q19: Our sports teams are involved in summer activities (camps and leagues) and several parents have raised the issue of
the school paying for these costs. What can the school or the Booster Club actually pay for?
A19: Summer activities generally fall into two categories (competition and instructional), and then two types of oversight
(school-sponsored and non-school). Since you’ve asked specically about payments and what the school can pay for,
I’ll stick to the rst two categories, since that dictates who must pay. Events that are clearly and exclusively competitive
(leagues, shoot-outs, tournaments) generally have a team fee and those can be paid for by the school. Anything that
is instructional in nature (a camp, clinic or group sport lesson, including team camps) require that the student/student’s
parents pay for the fee themselves. The school and booster club are prohibited for paying those fees for the kids, and
doing so would constitute a violation of the by-laws governing athletics and would affect student eligibility. Additionally,
students involved in any “non-school” summer events must pay all associated fees themselves and provide their own
transportation.
Q20: During the summer, in what grade are students considered to be? In other words, is a student who just nished 7th
grade considered a 7th grader during the summer or an 8th grader? How might this “label” affect coaching restrictions
and contact days?
A20: For 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders, as long as the student is being promoted to the next grade (not being held back to
repeat) they should generally be considered as the grade they are going into. The same holds true for 9-12th graders,
but “promotion” is not pertinent. Contact in the summer is restricted primarily by “contact days” with the coaches of the
grade or level a student is going into. One grade level to focus on are those students who will be 8th graders in the
fall. High School coaches have signicant contact restrictions with 8th graders, but that restriction is paramount during
the school year of the student’s 8th grade year. High school coaches may have instructional contact (camp, lesson, or
non-school sport setting) with students during the summer after their 7th grade year (viewed as 8th graders) but all such
contact must end prior to the rst day of school in the fall.
3.16 ATHLETICS DEFINITIONS
3.16.1 Practice: Any attempt of a coach at a given school to provide instruction in any phase of a game or athletic activity to any
team or part of a team at that school or to have any team or part of a team engage in drills under the supervision of a coach,
or from directions provided by the coach, involving what has already been taught. Try-outs, so-called “skull sessions,” “chalk
talks,” “walk throughs,” etc., are considered practices but do not qualify as “conditioning practices” (See 3.16.2). “General
Informational Meetings” where no attempt is made to teach any phase of a game or activity are permitted before the rst
allowable practice date of the specic sport season. Except as provided for in By-Laws 3.5.3, 3.10.3, 1.4.1, and 1.4.2, a junior
high or high school student shall be permitted to participate in school practices only with teams of the school where he/she is
properly enrolled.
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3.16.2 Conditioning Practice: Any attempt by the coach to engage the student in specic physical activity, drills, and/or instruction
involving physical activity designed to elevate the student’s level of physical condition for a specic sport. (See also By-Law
3.9, Conditioning Requirements)
3.16.3 Walk-through: A walk-through is dened as a teaching opportunity with the athletes not wearing protective equipment (e.g.,
helmets, shoulder pads, catcher’s gear, shin guards) or using other sport-related equipment (e.g., footballs, blocking sleds,
pitching machines, soccer balls).
3.16.4 Scrimmage: Practice of two groups of the same school team under partial game conditions.
3.16.5 Contest: A contest (which also may be referred to as a game, meet, match, etc.) is any organized play between teams not
of the same school. Whether or not ofcials are hired, admissions charged, etc., are not factors in determining whether the
play constitutes a contest. So-called “scrimmage games” (not In-Season Jamborees) cannot be played before the date of the
rst allowable contest, must be counted as a contest on the school’s schedule, and only if the school has not scheduled the
maximum number of contests allowed. (See Ofcials Requirements - By-Law 6.1.2)
3.16.6 Denition of Tournament: A tournament is dened as a series of contests between a number of competitors or teams who
compete for an overall award and/or a champion is determined. Tournament formats and/or durations may differ by sport.
3.16.7 Preseason Jamboree: An optional practice event in the team sports of baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, and
volleyball may be conducted as per conditions outlined below. Play occurs only under partial game conditions as dened by
each sport (see Board Policy on Preseason Jamboree - Team Sports) The following conditions are in place for all Preseason
Jamboree events:
a. Only senior high schools may participate in the preseason jamboree. Editor’s Note: The event is not specied as either
junior varsity or varsity; a school may play in only one preseason jamboree per sport.
b. The preseason jamboree shall consist of play against no less than two other schools and no more than three other
schools.
c. The preseason jamboree must be under contract with participating schools.
d. The preseason jamboree shall be ofciated by MSHSAA registered ofcials.
e. A jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your rst contest.
Each participant shall have at least nine individual days of school physical conditioning practice prior to participating in the
preseason jamboree. The 9th day of conditioning practice must occur on a day preceding the day of the event.
f. All game rules shall apply with the exception that coaches may be on the court/eld to provide instruction.
g. The admission charge shall be determined by the host school.
h. Sport-specic procedures can be found in the Board Policy section and in the respective sports manuals.
3.16.8 In-Season Jamboree: An event in which each school competes for an abbreviated period (i.e. quarter, set, half, etc.) against
each opponent, to total no more than one complete game/match/contest. This shall be counted as a contest on the school’s
schedule. Although this is an abbreviated event versus each opponent, it includes all aspects of the game/match. Registered
ofcials shall be used.
3.16.9 All-Star Contests: An “all-star” contest is dened as any contest involving players from two or more junior highs or high
schools who are selected on the basis of their individual athletic accomplishments or reputations gained while competing in
interscholastic competition. Such competitive events are dened as “non-school competition” and participation is restricted as
outlined in By-Laws 3.13.2, 3.14.2, and 3.15.5.
Editor’s Note: No MSHSAA catastrophic insurance coverage is in place for such contests.
Athletics Denitions Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school will have an open gym on Saturday afternoon following our boys basketball team practice. Our coach has
advised our players they can stay and scrimmage against people in our community. Is this acceptable?
A1: No. During the school sport season a team may only practice with the school’s teams.
Q2: I have some questions regarding the Preseason Jamboree in Football. a) Is this event considered a “game” or a
“practice”? b) If a student or coach was ejected from the last game of the previous season, should we withhold the
student or coach from the preseason jamboree or from the rst interscholastic game? c) If a transfer student’s transfer
request has not been approved, is he able to play in the preseason jamboree? d) If we have a student or coach ejected
from the preseason jamboree, will he need to sit out of an interscholastic game? e) If a student is academically ineligible
for the fall semester, can he play in the preseason jamboree?
A2: a) The denition indicates the preseason jamboree is a football practice event; however, since it is interscholastic rather
than intra-squad, it falls in both categories. b) Athletes or coaches ejected from the last game of last season must be
withheld from the rst interscholastic regular season game of this season. It is a local school decision as to whether
the athlete/coach should be withheld from the preseason jamboree as well. c) Because the preseason jamboree is
interscholastic, transfer students are not eligible to participate unless they have been ruled eligible by the MSHSAA ofce
via the online transfer request procedure. Since the jamboree is not deemed specically varsity or JV, students with
sub-varsity eligibility under a Transfer Waiver could participate. d) Yes, since the event is interscholastic and registered
ofcials are required, and the NFHS football rules are, for the most part, being used, an ejection from the preseason
jamboree would carry with it the normal penalty of being withheld from one contest. (By-Law 5.5.1 as well)
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e) No. Because the preseason jamboree is interscholastic, the essential eligibility requirements must be met and the
student may not play.
Q3: Our school would like to host a preseason jamboree in volleyball. May we host one varsity jamboree (four teams) and
one JV jamboree (four teams)?
A3: No. A school may participate in only one preseason jamboree per sport. It would not be permissible for a school’s junior
varsity team to participate in one scrimmage while the varsity team participates in a different scrimmage.
Q4: Our school holds a Grades 6-12 Combined MSHSAA membership. We do not register for junior high volleyball, but we
have a few junior high players that are interested in volleyball. May these players practice with our high school team
during the fall?
A4: Under those circumstances, no, the junior high students could not practice with the high school team. However, if
you register for volleyball at the junior high level, these enrolled students could practice with the high school team for a
maximum of twelve consecutive weeks (the limit for a junior high season), concurrent with the high school season, and
would be covered by the catastrophic insurance as well. It is not required that you schedule a competitive schedule for
the junior high players.
Q5: We are hosting a preseason jamboree this year. May we invite more than three other teams as long as no participating
school competes against more than three other schools?
A5: Yes, it is allowable to have more teams on site, but each school must compete against at least two other schools and
may not compete against more than three other schools during the jamboree.
Q6: The membership removed the restrictions associated with participation in an “All-Star contest.” If one of our students is
invited to play in an all-star game this year, how should we advise him or her?
A6: All-Star contests will now be considered no differently than “non-school competition” and they will be restricted as per
the non-school competition sections in By-Laws 3.13 and 3.14. Therefore, you should refer to those sections in order
to advise your students. Further, coaches who are invited to coach in an all-star contest must adhere to those same
sections, which means that outside of the school sport season but during the school year, you may not coach any of
your enrolled students in non-school competition (including all-star games). For a team sport, that means you may not
coach a team which includes any enrolled student. For an individual sport, you may only coach individual athletes that
are not enrolled in your school, and will not be enrolled next year. There are no special allowances for seniors who have
exhausted their eligibility in a sport – school coaches may not coach seniors prior to summertime; coaching contact is
restricted during the off-season.
Q7: May we invite an out-of-state school to participate in our basketball (or any other sport) jamboree?
A7: Yes, if the other state is in-season with the sport and the state allows the team to participate in a multi-team event under
Missouri’s terms, conditions and procedures.
3.17 INITIATING CONTESTS
3.17.1 Member School to Initiate Play: All athletic contests and tournaments in which member schools participate must be initiated
and promoted by administrative ofcials of the participating schools with all prots of games going only to participating schools.
3.17.2 Contracts: Arrangements for all contests between two schools shall be by contract except that for tournaments and
invitational meets a written letter or statement will meet the requirements of this rule. A money guarantee shall be made for
each contest. In case of a broken contract the offending party shall pay the offended party the sum of the guarantee. However,
neither party shall be held to the terms of the contract when broken because of reasons beyond the control of the offending
party or upon mutual consent of both parties.
3.17.3 Contracts To Be Renegotiated: Contracts for a game which conicts with the MSHSAA Football Playoffs shall be
renegotiated.
3.18 TOURNAMENT, MEET, AND MULTIPLE-CONTEST EVENT SANCTION REGULATIONS
3.18.1 All Sports - Multi-Contest Regulations: Invitational tournaments and meets sponsored by a member school are to be
approved by the high school administrator and shall meet the following general standards, as well as any applicable sport-
specic standards located in By-Laws 3.21 to 3.28.
a. Only schools meeting the provisions of By-Law 1.1 shall be invited.
b. Provisions contained in the MSHSAA By-Laws shall be adhered to by each school.
3.18.2 Multi-Contest Events Co-Sponsored with Non-Member Entity: The following provisions must be met in multiple-contest
events conducted in Missouri organized by a college or university or a non-school entity co-sponsored by a MSHSAA member
school in order for MSHSAA member schools to participate:
a. In all contests involving MSHSAA member schools (one or both opponents), the designated host school shall be a
MSHSAA member school, or the event organizer can designate a MSHSAA member school as the host of the overall
event. If a MSHSAA member school is designated as the overall host of the event (i.e. initiating contracts between schools
for all contests, contracting all contest ofcials and other administrative responsibilities), this overall event host school shall
le a detailed nancial summary of the event with the participating schools and the MSHSAA ofce.
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b. Contest ofcials shall be approved by the participating schools, contracted directly by the host school administration, and
registered with MSHSAA in accord with By-Law 6.1.
c. All schools participating against MSHSAA member schools shall meet the provisions of By-Law 1.1. It is the responsibility
of the MSHSAA member host school to conrm this status of the opposing school(s).
d. Contests that involve schools from other states may have state association requirements that are beyond these listed
above. It is the responsibility of the MSHSAA member host school(s) and the event organizer to insure that these rules
and all those previously mentioned are met.
e. The event organizer shall insure that the multiple-contest event conducted in Missouri is approved at least 60 days in
advance by MSHSAA and the NFHS, when required.
f. A tournament or meet sponsored by a college or university involving only Missouri schools, must adhere to the above
standards and shall have the approval of the Board of Directors prior to the rst date of the event.
Editor’s Note: A contest is “in conjunction” with an intercollegiate contest if the college and the high school events are
conducted in the same sessions, tickets are sold as a single event, and the playing facility is not cleared between the contests.
3.18.3 Interstate Multi-Contest Events: Interstate tournaments or meets in which any member school participates shall have the
approval of the Board of Directors. Interstate events shall meet the following conditions:
a. Sanctioning requirements as set forth by the National Federation shall be followed as well as all MSHSAA sanctioning
requirements. (See Appendix E for complete NFHS sanction requirements.)
b. All interstate events held in Missouri require sponsorship or co-sponsorship by a MSHSAA member school in good
standing.
3.18.4 National Championship Events Not Sanctioned: MSHSAA and NFHS do not sanction participation in meets, tournaments,
or other contests to qualify for and/or determine a national high school championship.
Multi-Game Events Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school has been invited to participate in an event next season which is sponsored by an individual not associated
with a member school of any state association. Schools from eight other states have been invited to this interscholastic
athletic event. Can our school participate in this event?
A1: No. MSHSAA By-Law 3.18 incorporates the requirements of the NFHS Interstate Sanctioning Procedures. All interstate
athletic events must be sponsored or co-sponsored by a member school in addition to meeting all other applicable
standards.
Q2: Our school has been asked to participate in a basketball “shoot-out” being sponsored by a neighboring school and a soft
drink bottler. Is this event to be handled any differently than a regular season game?
A2: Yes. Please refer to By-Law 3.18.2 for all specic requirements.
3.19 LIMITS ON COMPETITION
3.19.1 All Participants: A student shall not have competed at any time as a member of a college/university team in a sport in which
he/she desires to compete in high school.
3.19.2 5th Grade & Below: A student enrolled in the 5th grade or below shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics
with or against students enrolled in grades 6-8, except as provided for in By-Law 3.5. A violation of this rule shall subject the
school to penalty in addition to affecting the eligibility of the player.
3.19.3 6th/7th/8th Grade: No 6th, 7th or 8th grade student is eligible for competition on or against a senior high school team (a team
on which students in grade 9 or above may compete) except as provided for in By-Law 3.5 for overaged students. The penalty
for violation of this rule shall be the start of the student’s eight semesters and/or four seasons of high school eligibility (as per
By-Law 2.4) and shall subject the school to additional penalties.
3.19.4 9th Grade: A 9th grade student may compete on a team comprised of any combination of grades 9-12 only.
3.19.5 Tournament Participation: An individual participating on different levels (i.e. JV and varsity) may participate in two different
tournaments within the same calendar week; however, an individual may not participate on two different teams (i.e. JV and
varsity) within the same tournament. (See sports specic penalties - By-Laws 3.21-3.28)
Limits on Competition Questions & Answers:
Q1: May a 5th grade student participate as a member of a junior high school team?
A1: No. A student enrolled below the 6th grade is not eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics with or against
students enrolled in grades six, seven and/or eight except in cases where the student is over-age per By-Law 3.5.
Q2: May an 8th grade student participate as a member of a senior high school team?
A2: No, an 8th grade student may NOT participate with or against students in grade nine or above. There is one exception
to this rule, where a student is overage to compete at the junior high level. In this situation the school is encouraged to
allow the student to participate at the high school level to ensure the student has the opportunity for eight high school
semesters of participation, as long as the student remains eligible in all other respects. For example, if a student attains
the age of 15 prior to July 1 preceding the opening of school before his/her 8th grade year, he/she is overage for 8th
grade sports and should be allowed to try-out for the high school teams.
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Q3: May our school’s junior high boys basketball team scrimmage in practice against our school’s senior high girls
basketball team during the senior high basketball sports season?
A3: Yes, if the school has a 6th grade through 12th grade MSHSAA combined school membership (MSHSAA Constitution
Article III, Section 2) and if the junior high boys team is currently within the school sport season (MSHSAA By-Law
3.29.1). If the junior high is under a separate membership from the high school, such practice would be in violation of
By-Laws 3.19 and 3.16.
Q4: Our school’s JV baseball team has been invited to ll in as the 8th team in a varsity tournament due to a team dropping
out. May one of our players who plays on both the JV and varsity teams play on both teams during this tournament?
A4: No. You may place each of these players on either the JV roster or the varsity roster for the tournament but not both. A
student may not participate on two different teams in the same tournament.
3.20 PROVISIONS FOR GIRLS AND BOYS PROGRAMS
3.20.1 Sex-Separated, Competitive Interscholastic Athletics shall be governed by the following:
a. Girls may not participate on a boys interscholastic athletic team in a sport if the school sponsors a girls team in that sport.
b. Girls may participate on a boys interscholastic athletic team in a non-contact sport if the school does not sponsor a girls
interscholastic athletic team in that sport. It shall be the responsibility of the local board of education to determine whether
to allow girls to participate on boys teams in sports dened as contact sports in the Federal Title IX Regulations.
c. Boys may not participate on a girls interscholastic athletic team if the school’s over-all boys athletic program equals or
exceeds the over-all girls athletic program. If the boys over-all athletic program is not comparable in scope to the girls over-
all athletic program, the principal may request an evaluation of his/her athletic program in order to assure equitable athletic
programs for both boys and girls.
d. Coed teams may compete against other coed teams or against boys teams but may not compete against girls teams.
e. Schools must register for girls wrestling if any girls are participating. At the junior high level only, girls wrestlers are allowed
to compete against both boys and girls wrestlers during the regular season to insure sufcient competition opportunities for
junior high girls wrestling.
Girls and Boys Programs Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school sponsors both a boys and girls golf team. The girls play during the fall sports season and the boys during
the spring. We have a girl who wishes to tryout for the boys team rather than play on the girls team. Is this permissible?
A1: No. Whenever a school offers both a boys and girls interscholastic program in a sport, girls may participate only on the
girls team.
Q2: Because of nances, it has become necessary for our school to combine its girls and boys tennis teams. Is it
permissible to play coed tennis?
A2: Yes. Coed teams may compete during the boys season against other coed teams or against boys teams but not against
girls teams. Coed teams (in any sport) are eligible to enter ONLY the MSHSAA Boys State Tournament Series. Schools
should be aware of maintaining a balance between boys and girls programs in relationship to Title IX.
Q3: Our school has a transgender student that is interested in participating in interscholastic activities. For which teams
should we allow the student to try-out?
A3: All MSHSAA non-athletic activities (Music, Speech/Debate/Theatre, Scholar Bowl, Spirit) as well as football and
baseball are co-educational, and therefore there would be no restrictions in regard to participation of any student other
than general eligibility requirements. In sex-separated competitive sports, participation is limited to students whose
biological sex matches that of the team. This is based on mandates within Missouri State Statute RSMo 163.048.
Q4: I have some questions about a girl at our school who would like to play baseball. a) Can she play our fall championship
season of softball and still play baseball this spring? b) If we move to the spring championship season, could she play
softball and baseball at the same time?
A4: Yes on both. Softball and baseball are two separate sports. Softball is girls only; baseball is coed. Girls may play on
both teams at the school's discretion, and she should be allowed to try-out for both teams. It is a local school decision
whether students are allowed to try-out and/or play two interscholastic sports during the same season (such as football/
boys soccer, girls tennis/girls golf, track & eld/girls soccer). Doing so would be allowable under the by-laws. However,
please note that as per By-Law 3.20, boys are not allowed to participate in girls sports.
3.21 BASKETBALL REGULATIONS
3.21.1 Basketball Multi-Game Regulations: No team shall participate in more than one game on a calendar date with the following
exceptions:
SENIOR HIGH SPORT-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS
[3.2.1 through 3.29]
Page 90 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
a. During an invitational tournament a school may play in no more than two games on a day when school is not in session.
b. Two regular season contests against different opponents may be played on the same calendar date when school is not in
session. (See By-Law 3.21.2 for individual player limitations.)
3.21.2 Individual Player Limits - High School:
a. High School Daily Limit: No player may play in more than six quarters on a calendar date. Exception: On a day when
school is not in session and the same, single team (e.g. the boys JV team) plays two games, the quarter limit shall
be eight quarters for a player. An overtime period is considered an extension of a fourth quarter. (See also By-Law
3.29.3.b.) Editor's Note: In non-tournament, regular season contests a player may play on both a varsity and junior
varsity team on the same day, but he/she is limited to a total of six quarters in the combined games that day.
b. High School Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 130 quarters for the season.
3.21.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
3.21.4 Terminal Date For Scheduling Games: No basketball game shall be scheduled for a team after it plays its rst district
tournament game, except postponed games may be played before the date of the last state tournament game.
Basketball Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our basketball opponent last night violated the six-quarter rule by allowing a player to participate in three quarters of
the varsity game after participating in four quarters of the preliminary junior varsity game. We protested to the game
ofcials but they refused to assess a technical foul. What recourse do we have?
A1: It is not the responsibility of the game ofcials to enforce the six-quarter rule. The game ofcials have no authority to
assess a penalty in this situation. This is an administrative regulation included in By-Law 3.21 which has been adopted
by a vote of our member schools. Thus, it is the responsibility of the two coaches and the two school administrators
to make sure the six-quarter rule is followed. Coaches and bench ofcials (scorers) should discuss the number
of quarters each boy/girl may play in advance of the varsity contest and every effort should be made to prevent a
violation from occurring. Using a player in a seventh quarter calls for automatic forfeiture of the contest in which the
violation occurs. The school committing the violation is expected to report the violation to the MSHSAA ofce.
Q2: Our school is participating in a junior varsity basketball tournament and a varsity basketball tournament (in different
locations) during the same week later this season. We have a couple of players that play on both the JV and varsity
teams. Can they participate in both tournaments on nights that are not in direct conict?
A2: Yes, but all games will count separately in regard to contest and individual limitations.
Q3: Our school’s JV basketball team has been invited to ll in as the 8th team in a varsity tournament due to a team
dropping out. May one of our players who plays on both the JV and varsity teams play on both teams during this
tournament?
A3: No. You may place each of these players on either the JV roster or the varsity roster for the tournament but not both.
A student may not participate on two different teams in the same tournament. (3.19.5)
Q4: Our school is hosting an invitational basketball tournament. Due to facility scheduling it is necessary to play two rounds
of the tournament on Saturday. Is it possible for a team to play two games on that Saturday?
A4: Yes. A school team may play two games in an invitational tournament on a day when school is not in session. Further,
if a regular season contest is postponed due to severe inclement weather conditions, a team may play two regular
season contests on the same calendar date when school is not in session.
Q5: We have a junior varsity game and a varsity game against XYZ High School on Saturday. Since school is not in
session, do players have 8 quarters they can use between the two games?
A5: No. Six quarters is the daily limit. The only time a player has 8 quarters to use in a day, is a when one team (such as
the Varsity team) is playing two games against two different opponents on a day that school is not in session, such as in
a shootout.
3.22 BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL REGULATIONS
3.22.1 Baseball and Softball Multi-Game Regulations: No more than ve games shall be played on a calendar date.
3.22.2 Individual Softball Player Limits - High School:
a. High School Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 288 innings for the season.
3.22.3 Individual Baseball Player Limits - High School:
a. High School Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 288 innings for the season.
3.22.4 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
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3.23 FOOTBALL REGULATIONS
3.23.1 Individual Player Limits - High School:
a. Daily: No player may play in more than four quarters on one calendar date.
b. Weekly: No player may play in more than six quarters in a football week. Note: For the purposes of tracking player
quarters, a football week is dened as beginning on a Thursday and ending on the following Wednesday.
c. Season: No player may play in a total number of quarters for the season that exceeds six times the number of games
played by the higher team on which the student plays.
d. Kicking Downs: Participation in kicking downs only (downs in which one team initially lines up in either a scrimmage kick
or a free kick formation as per NFHS Rules) during a game would count as a maximum of one quarter of participation.
e. Other Downs: Participation in downs other than kicking downs would count as one quarter of participation for each
quarter the player participates up to a maximum of four quarters per game and six quarters in a football week.
f. Tracking: Each school shall be responsible for keeping a record of the participation of players of both teams utilizing the
MSHSAA standardized “Football Player Participation Form.”
3.23.2 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
3.23.3 Spring Practice Prohibited: Spring football practice shall be prohibited in the high schools of Missouri. Editor’s Note: See
allowance in By-Law 3.14.7.
Football Questions & Answers:
Q1: Does MSHSAA have a requirement for football coaches to document their practices?
A1: At this time MSHSAA has no By-Law or Board Policy which requires coaches to document practices, but doing so
is highly recommended for verifying preparedness, the training of proper techniques, and athlete acclimatization.
Documentation should include but not limited to the following: date of equipment tting and disbursement; the dates
and allotted time of when proper tackling techniques are taught, player attendance, the 16-day acclimatization process
for each athlete; and minutes of full contact activity in each practice.
3.24 SOCCER REGULATIONS
3.24.1 Soccer Multi-Game Regulations: No more than three games shall be played on a calendar date.
3.24.2 Individual Player Limits - High School:
a. Daily Limit: No player may play in more than three halves of soccer per day in a varsity/junior varsity doubleheader
against the same school. If a school schedules two/three varsity or two/three junior varsity soccer games against different
schools on the same calendar date, a player could play no more than four/six halves on that date, respectively.
b. Season Limit: A player is eligible to play in no more than 66 halves for the season.
3.24.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
3.25 VOLLEYBALL REGULATIONS
3.25.1 Volleyball Multi-Match Regulations - High School:
a. Abbreviated play may be utilized in pool play. An abbreviated pool play match does count as a match toward the team
contest limitations.
b. Varsity Double Duals or Triple Duals may utilize either the 3-out-of-5-Set Match or 2-out-of-3-Set Match format.
3.25.2 Individual Player Limits - High School:
a. Except in tournament play, a team may participate in a maximum of three matches against three different schools (triple
dual) on one calendar date.
b. Daily Set Limitations for Dual Competition:
1. High School Varsity Level: Plays 3-out-of-5-Set Matches.
2. High School Junior Varsity Level: Plays 2-out-of-3-Set Matches.
3. Any high school player may participate in a maximum of six sets on one calendar date against the same school in
regular season dual competition.
c. No team or individual player may participate in more than one volleyball tournament on a calendar day.
d. Season Limits: High School Level - A player is eligible to play in no more than 180 sets for the season.
3.25.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
Volleyball Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our Parks Department has started a beach volleyball league during the fall while our high school girls volleyball season
is underway. a) Can the players on our high school team participate (practice and compete) in this league during their
high school season? b) Can our girls volleyball coach be a coach for the beach volleyball league during the fall high
school volleyball season when they already have instructional access to our volleyball players? c) Can our volleyball
coach be a coach for the spring beach volleyball league and coach any enrolled student from our school?
Page 92 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
A1: Beach volleyball is considered a different sport than hard-court volleyball, so for the players in a) this scenario would
fall under By-Law 3.13.2.b, as the beach volleyball league would be non-school competition. There are certain
restrictions that must be followed when a student is playing one high school sport at the same time as a different non-
school sport. Players should also seek permission to do so from their coach. Refer to the three items under By-Law
3.13.2.b for more information. In both b) and c) the answer is no, the coach cannot coach enrolled students in non-
school competition in any sport during the school year. Further, by defining beach volleyball as a different sport than
hard-court volleyball (at the request of the Volleyball Advisory Committee), the instructional access to the high school
girls volleyball players does not extend to non-school competition, nor to other sports, during the school year. (See also
By-Law 3.13)
3.26 WRESTLING REGULATIONS
3.26.1 Wrestling Multi-Match Regulations:
a. There is no limit on the number of teams participating in a tournament provided no team will compete on more than one
school day.
b. An individual student shall wrestle no more than the allowable matches on any one calendar day as permitted in the NFHS
Wrestling Rules.
3.26.2 Individual Wrestler Limits:
a. Prior to the district tournament, an individual wrestler shall represent his/her high school in a maximum of 45 matches
(excluding forfeits), and in no more competition dates than the number of competition dates scheduled by the higher team
on which he/she participates.
b. A wrestling tournament is dened as any event in which awards are given and/or a champion is determined by any means
or any format that involves ve or more teams, at one site, on any given date. All other contests at one site, on any given
date is considered a multi-school event.
3.26.3 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
3.27 SWIMMING AND DIVING REGULATIONS
3.27.1 Individual Entry and Daily Limits: A swimmer/diver may not exceed the individual entry limitations outlined in the National
Federation of State High School Associations Swimming and Diving Rules Book on one calendar day, and may not duplicate
events.
3.27.2 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
Swimming Questions & Answers:
Q1: If a swimmer is participating in a junior varsity meet and a varsity meet on the same day, a) can she swim the 100
buttery in both meets? b) How many total events (both meets combined) can she participate in on that day?
A1: a) No, she may not duplicate any events. b) NFHS rules allow for participation in four events; that is the DAILY limit.
Q2: May a varsity team participte in two meets on one day?
A2: This would be difcult to accomplish given the restrictions on individual participant limits (4 events) and no duplication of
events by participants during a day.
3.28 TENNIS REGULATIONS
3.28.1 Denition of Tennis Tournament: A tennis tournament is dened as any event in which awards are given and/or a champion
is determined by any means or any format, on a given date. All other contests at one site, on any given date will count as a
dual match or multiple dual matches.
3.28.2 Penalty for Violations: See By-Law 3.29.8.
Tennis Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our tennis team has been invited to participate in a tennis event that will consist of four teams (our school and three
others). Each team will play two dual matches at the same site on one calendar date. Based on the results after the
playing of the dual matches, a team champion will be determined and team awards will be given (based on win-loss
records and a tie-breaking procedure). I’ve talked to the other schools participating, and two of these schools wish to
count this on their schedule and for their contest limitations as two duals; the third school is going to count this as a
tournament. We are not sure how to count it. Can different schools list the event differently, and if not, which is correct?
A1: This contest meets the denition of a tennis tournament, since an overall winner will be determined and awards will be
given. The event must be listed by all schools involved as a tournament. Your school’s tennis schedule would need to
reect this contest as a tournament, not as multiple dual matches.
Q2: Our tennis team has been invited to participate in a tennis contest where we will be matched up against two other
schools for dual matches at the same site on a Saturday. No overall winner will be named and no awards will be given.
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May we count this as a tournament on our schedule and toward our contest limitations since we are at one site and we
are playing multiple schools?
A2: No, this structure would not meet the denition of a tennis tournament and may not be counted on your schedule
or toward your contest limitations as such. Since there is no team award being given and there will be no overall
champion determined, this structure must count as two separate dual matches on one calendar date. Your school’s
tennis schedule would need to reect two dual matches - one against each school you played on this calendar date.
3.29 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SEASONS AND CONTEST LIMITATIONS
3.29.1 NFHS / MSHSAA Standardized Calendar: The school year shall be divided into three distinct sports seasons -- fall, winter,
and spring. Each sport shall have established beginning and ending dates for practice and interscholastic contests which
will be based on a standardized calendar of numbered weeks so the length of each season will be consistent from year to
year. Week number one of the Standardized Calendar shall begin with the twenty-rst Sunday preceding Thanksgiving
and succeeding weeks thereafter shall be numbered consecutively. A calendar week shall begin with Sunday and end the
following Saturday.
3.29.2 Fall Sports Season - Standardized Dates:
a. The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Week Number Six of the Standardized Calendar.
b. The rst contest date for all fall sports shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number Eight.
c. The last practice or contest for each fall sport shall be no later than the Saturday of that particular sport’s State
Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar. The last contest for fall boys baseball (non-
state-series season) shall be played no later than the Saturday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 20.
3.29.3 Winter Sports Season - Standardized Dates:
a. WRESTLING:
1. Girls Wrestling: The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week
Number 18; the rst interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 20; and the last
practice or contest shall be no later than the Saturday of the Girls State Wrestling Championships, as set by the
Board based on the standardized calendar.
2. Boys Wrestling: The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week
Number 19; the rst interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 21; and the last
practice or contest shall be no later than the Saturday of the Boys State Wrestling Championships, as set by the
Board based on the standardized calendar.
b. BASKETBALL: The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar Week
Number 18; the rst interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 20; and the last practice
or contest shall be no later than the Saturday of the latest State Basketball Championships, as set by the Board based
on the standardized calendar.
c. SWIMMING/DIVING (GIRLS): The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar
Week Number 19; the rst interscholastic contest shall be held no earlier than the Thursday of Week Number 21; and the
last practice or contest shall be held no later than the Saturday of the State Girls Swimming/Diving Championships, as
set by the Board based on the standardized calendar.
3.29.4 Spring Sports Season - Standardized Dates: The beginning practice date shall be no earlier than the Monday of
Standardized Calendar Week Number 35; the rst interscholastic contest shall be no earlier than the Thursday of Week
Number 37; and the last contest for each spring sport shall be played no later than the Saturday of that particular sport’s
State Championships, as set by the Board based on the standardized calendar.
3.29.5 Team and Individual Limits: The number of games and tournaments for each team and individual shall be scheduled in
accord with the limitations contained within the Sports Seasons By-Laws, and the sport-specic by-laws.
3.29.6 Assignment of Senior High School Sports to Seasons and Team Contest Limitations: The following (Diagram 3.29.6)
designates the ofcial season and the number of contests allowed for each school team in each sport.
3.29.7 Optional Seasons: Provided other regulations are met, a school may choose to play another season instead of the ofcial
season, but it shall not be permitted to enter the MSHSAA Tournament Series in that sport.
3.29.8 Penalty for Violation of Daily, Weekly, or Season Limitations by Individuals or Teams - All Sports: Should an individual
player or a school team exceed the allowable limitations listed in By-Laws 3.21 - 3.28, the player or team would be penalized
as follows:
a. Player exceeds the daily or weekly limit of quarters/sets/halves/etc., if applicable: Player becomes an ineligible
athlete. Contests in which the player played beyond the limit are forfeited. Refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team or
player last defeated. Player shall be withheld from any further competition at the same level (complete contests) until the
amount of excessive participation has been equaled or exceeded.
b. Player exceeds the season limitation of quarters/sets/halves/etc. Player becomes an ineligible athlete. Contests
in which the player played are forfeited, including postseason contests. Refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team or
player last defeated. If the player has eligibility remaining, player will be withheld from a like number of contests during the
subsequent season in the same sport or in the following season of the current year if the player is a senior.
Page 94 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
c. Team exceeds the contest limitation for season: All contests beyond the limit are forfeited, including any postseason
contests. Refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team last defeated. No further contests may be played during the current
season, and the team is ineligible for district and state series participation. The Board may require further penalties,
including into the following school year, depending upon timing of the discovery and the circumstances and severity of the
violation.
d. Team exceeds the daily limit on competition, if applicable: All contests beyond the limit are forfeited, and count as
contests. If the violation occurred within a tournament, refer to By-Law 1.2.3 in regard to the team last defeated. The
Board may require further penalties, including the cancellation of scheduled contests, depending upon the circumstances
and severity of the violation.
DIAGRAM 3.29.2: FALL SPORTS SEASON
GOLF (GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
October 22
August 11
August 28
October 21
August 10
August 27
October 20
August 9
August 26
October 19
TENNIS (GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
October 26
August 11
August 28
October 25
August 10
August 27
October 24
August 9
August 26
October 23
SOFTBALL (GIRLS FALL) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
November 2
August 11
August 28
November 1
August 10
August 27
October 31
August 9
August 26
October 30
VOLLEYBALL (GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
November 9
August 11
August 28
November 8
August 10
August 27
November 7
August 9
August 26
November 6
CROSS COUNTRY
(BOYS AND GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
November 9
August 11
August 28
November 8
August 10
August 27
November 7
August 9
August 26
November 6
SWIMMING (BOYS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
November 16
August 11
August 28
November 15
August 10
August 27
November 14
August 9
August 26
November 13
SOCCER (BOYS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
November 23
August 11
August 28
November 22
August 10
August 27
November 21
August 9
August 26
November 20
BASEBALL (FALL) (coed) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
November 23
August 11
August 28
November 22
August 10
August 27
November 21
August 9
August 26
November 20
FOOTBALL (coed) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
August 12
August 29
December 7
August 11
August 28
December 6
August 10
August 27
December 5
August 9
August 26
December 4
SECTION 3
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 95
DIAGRAM 3.29.3: WINTER SPORTS SEASON
SWIMMING (GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
November 11
November 28
February 22
November 10
November 27
February 21
November 9
November 26
February 20
November 8
November 25
February 19
WRESTLING (GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
November 4
November 21
March 1
November 3
November 20
February 28
November 2
November 19
February 27
November 1
November 18
February 26
WRESTLING (BOYS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
November 11
November 28
March 1
November 10
November 27
February 28
November 9
November 26
February 27
November 8
November 25
February 26
BASKETBALL
(BOYS AND GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
November 4
November 21
March 22
November 3
November 20
March 21
November 2
November 19
March 20
November 1
November 18
March 18
DIAGRAM 3.29.4: SPRING SPORTS SEASON
GOLF (BOYS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
March 3
March 20
May 20
March 2
March 19
May 19
March 1
March 18
May 18
February 28
March 16
May 16
SOFTBALL
(GIRLS SPRING) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
March 3
March 20
May 24
March 2
March 19
May 23
March 1
March 18
May 22
February 28
March 16
May 20
TRACK AND FIELD
(BOYS AND GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
March 3
March 20
May 31
March 2
March 19
May 30
March 1
March 18
May 29
February 28
March 16
May 27
TENNIS (BOYS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
March 3
March 20
May 31
March 2
March 19
May 30
March 1
March 18
May 29
February 28
March 16
May 27
BASEBALL (SPRING) (coed) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
March 3
March 20
June 7
March 2
March 19
June 6
March 1
March 18
June 5
February 28
March 16
June 3
VOLLEYBALL (BOYS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
March 3
March 20
May 28
March 2
March 19
May 27
March 1
March 18
May 26
February 28
March 16
May 24
SOCCER (GIRLS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028
First Possible Practice
First Possible Contest
Last Possible Contest
March 3
March 20
June 7
March 2
March 19
June 6
March 1
March 18
June 5
February 28
March 16
June 3
Page 96 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
DIAGRAM 3.29.6: SEASONS FOR SPORTS AND CONTEST LIMITATIONS
Sport: Contests Allowed:
Minimum Requirement for
Participation in Post-Season:
a. FALL 1. Baseball (Fall) 36 contests Non-Championship
2. Cross Country (Boys/Girls) 10 meets 5
3. Football 10 contests 5
4. Golf - Girls 14 competition dates 5
5. Soccer - Boys 25 contests 8
6. Softball - Girls (Fall) 36 contests 8
7. Tennis - Girls 20 competition dates 5
8. Volleyball - Girls 36 contests 18
9. Swimming/Diving - Boys 16 meets 8
b. WINTER 1. Basketball (Boys/Girls) 26 contests 13
2. Swimming/Diving - Girls 16 meets 8
3. Wrestling (Boys/Girls) 20 competition dates 8
c. SPRING 1. Baseball (Spring) 36 contests 8
2. Golf - Boys 14 competition dates 5
3. Softball - Girls (Spring) 36 contests 8
4. Soccer - Girls 25 contests 8
5. Tennis - Boys 20 competition dates 5
6. Track and Field (Boys/Girls) 13 meets 5
7. Volleyball - Boys 36 contests 18
NOTE: The contest limitations listed are exclusive of any MSHSAA sponsored tournament series.
3.30 JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SEASONS AND CONTEST LIMITATIONS
3.30.1 Junior High Season: Junior high school sports seasons (Grades 6, 7 and 8) shall be twelve consecutive calendar weeks in
length beginning with the rst organized practice with any part of a sports team and ending with the last interscholastic contest
in the sport concerned. The sports season may be extended to a maximum of fourteen consecutive calendar weeks in length
whenever the Winter Holiday period falls within the sports season.
a. The sports season for the 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams shall begin no earlier than the Monday of Standardized Calendar
Week Number Seven.
b. The sports season for 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams shall end with the last day of school in the spring.
Editor’s Note: See By-Law 1.7.2.c.1 regarding heat acclimatization for junior high sports in the fall.
3.30.2 Team and Individual Limits: The number of games and tournaments for each team and individual shall be scheduled in
accord with the limitations contained within the Contest Limits By-Laws, and the sport-specic by-laws.
3.30.3 Junior High Team Contest Limits: The number of contests permitted for each school team in each sport is shown below.
Sport: Contests Allowed: Individual Season Limits
a. Baseball 18 contests 126 innings
b. Basketball 18 contests 90 quarters
c. Cross Country 8 meets 8 meets
d. Football 6 games (see By-Law 3.30.7.b)
e. Golf 18 contests 18 contests
f. Soccer 18 contests 45 halves
g. Softball 18 contests 126 innings
h. Swimming 10 meets 10 meets
i. Tennis 18 contests 18 contests
j. Track and Field 10 meets 10 meets
k. Volleyball 20 contests 60 sets
l. Wrestling - Boys 12 competition dates 12 competition dates
m. Wrestling - Girls 12 competition dates 12 competition dates
SECTION 3
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 97
3.30.4 For junior high school interscholastic sports not listed above, the following game limit shall apply: 18 games (meets).
3.30.5 Basketball (See also By-Law 3.21):
a. Tie Junior High Games: Basketball games involving only junior high school students (students in grades 6, 7 and/or 8
only) that end in a tie score shall be continued for one or more extra periods two minutes in length. Otherwise National
Federation Basketball Rule 5-7 will be applied.
b. Length of Quarters For Junior High School: The length of the quarters in a junior high school basketball game shall
not exceed six minutes.
3.30.6 Football (See also By-Law 3.23):
a. Length of Quarters For Junior High School : The length of the quarters in a junior high school football game shall not
exceed eight minutes.
b. Daily: No player may play in more than four quarters on one calendar date.
c. Weekly: No player may play in more than six quarters in a football week. Note: For the purposes of tracking player
quarters, a football week is dened as: beginning on a Thursday and ending on the following Wednesday.
d. Season: No player may play in a total number of quarters for the season that exceeds six times the number of games
played by the higher team on which the student plays.
e. Kicking Downs: Participation in kicking downs only (downs in which one team initially lines up in either a scrimmage kick
or a free kick formation as per NFHS Rules) during a game would count as a maximum of one quarter of participation.
f. Other Downs: Participation in downs other than kicking downs would count as one quarter of participation for each
quarter the player participates up to a maximum of four quarters per game and six quarters in a football week.
g. Tracking: Each school shall be responsible for keeping a record of the participation of players on multiple teams (A/B)
utilizing the MSHSAA standardized “Football Player Participation Form.”
3.30.7 Volleyball (See also By-Law 3.25.2):
a. Except in tournament play, a team may participate in a maximum of three matches against three different schools (triple
dual) on one calendar date.
b. Daily Set Limitations for Dual Competition - Junior High - Play 2-out-of-3-Set Matches: During regular season dual
competition, a player may participate in a maximum of four sets on one calendar date against the same school.
c. No team or individual player may participate in more than one volleyball tournament on a calendar day.
d. Season Limits - Junior High Level - Play 2-out-of-3-Set Matches: A player is eligible to play in no more than 60 sets for the
season.
3.30.8 Penalty for Violations: Should a school team exceed to allowable game limitations, the team would, at a minimum, be
ineligible to compete in the maximum number of games the following year; the reduction will equal the number of contests
involved in the violation.
Junior High Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school holds a fourteen week junior high basketball season which ends January 21. May select members of the
junior high team subsequently be moved up to practice with the high school team until the end of the high school
season?
A1: No. Junior high students may participate in junior high school basketball (practice and games) for a maximum of 14
calendar weeks (12 weeks when the Christmas Holiday period does not fall within the sports season) beginning with
his/her rst practice with the school team. Since these students have used their 14 weeks, they are notnot eligible to
practice with the high school team.
Q2: Now that freshmen are considered high school students, are we allowed to have a combined 8th and 9th grade team?
A2: No, this is no longer allowable.
Page 98 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
SECTION 4:
ACTIVITIES
BY-LAWS
4.1 Common Requirements for All Activities in This Section
4.2 Music
4.3 Speech/Debate/Theatre
4.4 Scholar Bowl
4.5 Spirit [Sideline Cheer and Dance Teams]
SECTION 4
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 99
4.1 COMMON REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ACTIVITIES IN THIS SECTION
4.1.1 General Requirements for Activity Directors and Coaches:
a. School Requirement to Contract: For each activity in which a school registers with MSHSAA, a school must contract at
least one head director/coach who meets the requirements for the head director/coach level, and the school must have the
director/coach approved by MSHSAA. This requirement must be met prior to any interscholastic competition or evaluative
event in that activity. This By-Law shall apply to both junior high and high schools.
b. Denition of Director/Coach: An activity director/coach is an individual who provides any type of instruction specic
to an interscholastic activity, and/or has activity-related contact with enrolled students of the school. An individual who
is unpaid, but provides instruction as described above, is a director/coach and must meet the same requirements as a
director/coach that is compensated, and be approved, prior to contact with students. [For the purposes of the by-laws
(contact with students, etc.), a director/coach is considered to be a school director/coach for the entire academic school
year, despite the duration specied in the directing and coaching contract.]
c. Approval: All coaches and directors must be “approved” by the MSHSAA ofce prior to instructing students in the
respective interscholastic activity. An egregious or intentional violation of the MSHSAA By-Laws or the rules/regulations of
the activity may cause the Board of Directors to withhold “approved” status.
Editor's Note: The MSHSAA approval process takes place on the membership side of the MSHSAA website. When
completed, approval status for each coach or director will appear on the school's "Coaches and Directors" page.
4.1.2 Activity Director/Coach Levels and Minimum Requirements:
a. Director/Head Coach – Minimum Requirements: As per By-Law 4.1.1.a, each interscholastic activity team/group must
have a head director/coach who meets the following requirements and who, then, may ll the duties and obligations
of a head director/coach for the activity team/group, both under the by-laws and per the activity rules. [*=One-Time
Requirement]
1. General Requirements for All Activities Directors/Head Coaches:
(a) Board of Education or Board of Governance approval prior to activity related contact.
(b) Background Check including Sex-Offender’s Registry Clearance prior to activity related contact.
(c) Successful completion of the MSHSAA Activity-Specic Online Rules Review and Test prior to approval.
(d) Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to approval and renewed
every two years.
(e) Successful completion of a Concussion Course, and review of current concussion information yearly.
(f) Successful completion of a First Aid/CPR/AED course prior to coaching and renewed every two years. (See
options in Diagram 3.1)
Editor’s Note: The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own.
2. Music:
(a) Regularly employed and paid by the Board of Education or Board of Governance of the school as a teacher.
(b) Public School Directors must hold a valid Professional Teacher’s Certicate approved by the State Department
of Education.
(c) Directors of Marching Band and Auxiliary Groups Only: Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness
Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two years.
3. Speech/Debate/Theatre:
(a) A Four-Year College Degree OR serving as an Approved Assistant for a minimum of TWO school years.
4. Scholar Bowl:
(a) A Four-Year College Degree OR serving as an Approved Assistant for a minimum of TWO school years.
5. Spirit (Sideline Cheer and Dance Teams):
(a) A valid Professional Teacher’s Certicate approved by the State Department of Education OR has completed
and passed the online NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course prior to coaching.*
(b) Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two
years. [See also By-Law 4.2.10]
6. Emerging Activities:
(a) Completion of 60 or more college credit hours prior to coaching/directing OR serving as an Approved Assistant
for a minimum of TWO school years.
b. Approved Assistant – Minimum Requirements:
1. General Requirements for All Activities Assistant Directors/Assistant Coaches:
(a) Board of Education or Board of Governance approval prior to activity related contact.
(b) Background Check including Sex-Offender’s Registry Clearance prior to activity related contact.
(c) Successful completion of the MSHSAA Activity-Specic Online Rules Review and Test prior to approval.
(d) Successful completion of a Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training prior to second year of
coaching/directing and renewed every two years.
(e) Successful completion of a Concussion course, and review of current concussion information yearly.
(f) Successful completion of a First Aid/CPR/AED course prior to second year of coaching and renewed every two
years. (See options in Diagram 3.1)
Editor’s Note: The free NFHSLearn.com training may be used or schools may select their own.
2. Music:
(a) Regularly employed and paid by the Board of Education or Board of Governance of the school
Page 100 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
(b) Directors of Marching Band and Auxiliary Groups Only: Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness
Prevention/Recognition prior to the second year of teaching Marching Band, which must be renewed every two
years.
3. Speech/Debate/Theatre:
(a) Completion of 60 or more college credit hours prior to coaching/directing OR serving as a Provisional Assistant
for THREE school years.
4. Scholar Bowl:
(a) Completion of 60 or more college credit hours prior to coaching/directing OR serving as a Provisional Assistant
for THREE school years.
5. Spirit (Sideline Cheer and Dance Teams):
(a) A valid Professional Teacher’s Certicate approved by the State Department of Education OR has completed
and passed the online NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course prior to coaching.*
(b) Successful completion of a course in Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition prior to the second year of coaching,
which must be renewed every two years.
6. Emerging Activities:
(a) Completion of 60 or more college credit hours prior to coaching/directing OR serving as a Provisional Assistant
for THREE school years.
c. Provisional Assistant - Minimum Requirements:
1. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Activity-Specic Online Rules Review and Test each season.
2. Prior to the rst season of serving, the following must be completed: [*=One-Time Requirement]
(a) NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course*
(b) NFHS Coaching "Activity" Course for any activity for which an individual will be coaching if available*
(c) Background Check including Sex-Offender's Registry Clearance prior to coaching*
(d) Board of Education or Board of Governance Approval prior to coaching*
(e) Successful completion of a Concussion course, and review of current concussion information yearly.
(f) Assignment of a Mentor Director/Coach (3 years of experience or more).
i. Preseason meetings which include, but are not limited to, specic discussion of school policies, equipment
responsibility, behavior expectations, procedures to follow in case of an emergency, etc. is satisfactorily
completed.
ii. In-season meetings to discuss student or parent interactions
iii. Post season meetings to evaluate experiences
3. Prior to the second season, the following must be completed:
(a) NFHS Bullying, Hazing and Inappropriate Behavior Course*
(b) NFHS Engaging Effectively with Parents Course*
(c) Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training, which must be renewed every two years
(d) Successful completion of a First Aid/CPR/AED course and renewed every two years. (See options in Diagram
3.1)
(e) Music (Directors of Marching Band and Auxiliary Groups) and Spirit Only: Successful completion of a course in
Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition, which must be renewed every two years. [See also By-Law 4.2.10]
4. Prior to the third season, the following must be completed:
(a) NFHS Protecting Students from Abuse*
(b) NFHS Teaching and Modeling Behavior*
Editor's Note: Specic course requirements are subject to change due to availability or new course development.
d. Student Teacher – Minimum Requirements: A student teacher serving in an approved teacher preparation program
through a college or university and who is teaching at a school may serve as an assistant director/coach if the following
minimum requirements are met:
1. Completion of 60 or more college credit hours prior to assisting.
2. Successful completion of a Concussion Course, and review of current concussion information (Spirit only).
3. Successful completion of the MSHSAA Online Rules Review for the activity.
4.1.3 Rules Review Requirement: Each school shall be responsible for requiring all activity coaches and directors to complete a
MSHSAA Rules Review. When a coach does not complete the rules review, the school shall justify the deciency in writing to
the MSHSAA ofce.
4.1.4 Student Eligibility Requirements: All students participating in an activity (competitive or evaluative) must meet the student
essential by-laws in Section 2 as well as all applicable activity-specic requirements.
4.1.5 Parental Permission: Prior to each year of interscholastic activity participation, a student shall furnish a statement, signed
by the student's parent(s) or legal guardian (see By-Law 3.10.1.a), which grants permission for the student to participate in
interscholastic activities. [Editor's Note: See also By-Laws 2.12.1, and 3.7]
4.1.6 Healthcare Coverage: A student shall not be permitted to practice or compete for a school until it has verication that he/
she has healthcare insurance coverage or a healthcare expense payment plan. [Editor's Note: See also By-Laws 2.12.1
and 3.8]
SECTION 4
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 101
4.1.7 Limits on Competition/Participation:
a. 5th Grade & Below: A student enrolled in the 5th grade or below shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic
activities with or against students enrolled in grades six through eight. A violation of this rule shall subject the school to
penalty in addition to affecting the eligibility of the student.
b. 6th/7th/8th Grade: No 6th, 7th or 8th grade student is eligible for participation/competition on or against a senior high
school team, a team on which students in grade nine or above may compete except as provided for in By-Law 4.2.3.a
(music) and 4.5.6 (spirit). The penalty for violation of this rule shall be the start of the student’s eight semesters and/or
four years of high school eligibility (as per By-Law 2.4) and shall subject the school to additional penalties.
c. 9th Grade: A 9th grade student may participate/compete on an activity team/squad/school group comprised of any
combination of grades nine through 12 only. (See b above for allowances for combined membership options in music
and cheer only.)
4.1.8 Certication of Eligibility on the MSHSAA Online Membership System:
a. Each student, prior to participating in an interscholastic contest or event, must be certied as eligible through the
MSHSAA Online Membership System by an administrator of the junior high or high school the student attends. Changes
in eligibility at the beginning of second semester shall be made on the system by an administrator.
b. New additions shall be certied as eligible as described above prior to allowing the student to participate in an
interscholastic contest.
c. If a participant is omitted from the eligibility certication process in error and is certied in writing by the principal to
have been eligible at the time of the participation, the Board of Directors shall have discretionary authority to determine
whether a penalty is appropriate and the nature and duration of such penalty. The principal shall submit a report to the
executive director explaining the circumstances of the omission error.
4.1.9 Representing the School: Participants shall not represent the school (appearing in school uniform, school-named clothing,
at school facilities, or with mascot/school colors) to endorse or promote a product/service, commercial venture, political
venture, etc. without prior, written consent by a school administrator.
4.1.10 Awards and Amateurism: When representing a school in a performance or a competitive/evaluative event, the following
awards are allowable:
a. A student may receive the following symbolic awards: unattached school letters or emblems, medals, ribbons, trophies,
certicates, etc.
b. A student shall not have accepted or competed for the following types of awards: services, cash or gift certicates.
c. A student may receive an award of merchandise items (one or more) which together do not exceed a total value of
$250.00. The total value of all items shall be calculated using the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for each item.
d. This standard does not prohibit a school from accepting prizes, trophies, cash awards for placement or nish, or
expenses for transportation, meals for students, and other similar expenses or awards.
4.1.11 Missing School Time for Unapproved Event: Any student who misses school time because of participating in an
unapproved interscholastic event, or because of any travel involved, shall be ineligible to represent the school in the
interscholastic activity for a period not to exceed 365 days from the date of violation unless the absence is approved in
advance by the school administrator.
4.1.12 School Eligibility to Enter Events: Any high school in Missouri which is a member of the Missouri State High School
Activities Association is automatically eligible to register for and enter contests and events in the applicable activity.
4.1.13 Advisory Committee: There shall be an Advisory Committee appointed by the Board of Directors with this committee to be
responsible to the Board of Directors.
a. Music - Appointed by the Board of Directors with the advice and counsel of the Missouri Music Educators Association
(MMEA).
b. Speech/Debate/Theatre - Appointed by Board with the advice and counsel of the Speech and Theatre Association of
Missouri (STAM).
4.1.14 Board of Directors Responsibility: The Board of Directors, with the advice and counsel of the Activity’s Advisory
Committee, shall set-up such contests and events as it deems advisable, formulate policies and regulations for administering
these events, determine the districts and sites for the contests, select local directors, and determine school classication
based on By-Law 5.1, and set entry fees.
4.1.15 Penalty for Violation of Standards: A student that violates any of these standards (By-Laws, etc.) shall be ineligible from
participation in any interscholastic event in the specied activity for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall further be
considered a violation for member schools to participate in an interscholastic event with a member school so suspended.
4.2 MUSIC
4.2.1 Music Dened: Music activities as used in this Section shall include those interscholastic music activities that are
outgrowths of the member schools’ regular music programs and are included in the Music Manual [to include but is not limited
to the following: band, marching band, jazz band, choir, show choir, orchestra, winter drumline, etc.]. The term “evaluative
festival” shall mean that the performance of an individual and/or group shall be rated according to achievement standards.
Page 102 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
4.2.2 Music Event Sanction Regulations: Any interscholastic competitive/evaluative music event or other interscholastic
competitive/evaluative function involving music abilities in which member school music organizations or individual students
participate during the school year (from the opening day of classes to the ofcial closing day at the end of the academic year)
shall meet the following standards:
a. See By-Law 4.1.10 for denition of allowable awards.
b. Any music event which involves students from more than one school sponsored by a non-school organization or a
college or university shall have the approval of the Board of Directors and any interstate event shall have the approval
of the Board of Directors and the state associations of all states invited. Application for approval shall be submitted no
later than 30 days prior to the rst event. An interscholastic music event sponsored by a member school shall have the
approval of the high school administrator and, for interstate events approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors.
c. Events involving music organizations or individual music students from more than two schools approved for commercial
or promotional purposes and which cause a loss of class time shall not be approved for schools outside their respective
local communities.
d. This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit a local board of education from adopting any higher standards than it
considers appropriate for its school community.
e. A school that violates any of these standards shall be suspended from participation in any interscholastic music activity
for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall further be considered a violation for member schools to participate in an
interscholastic music event with a member school so suspended.
4.2.3 Student Eligibility for Ensemble and Solo Events in Music:
a. Students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 are eligible for participation in ensemble events, provided they are enrolled in
a member high school (grades 9-12) or 6-12 combined member school. If the junior high school in which students are
enrolled is either not a member of MSHSAA, or a separate junior high member, such students shall not be eligible to
represent the senior high school in interscholastic music activities.
b. A soloist must be a member of a school music performing organization except in the case of any instrument listed under
those accepted for solos in the MSHSAA Music Manual that is not represented in the school’s musical organizations,
such student may be entered when certied by the school administration.
4.2.4 Student Entry Requirements for Music District and State Festivals: A student must be entered by a senior high school.
Students enrolled in member junior high schools may be entered in music festivals by senior high schools as provided in the
Music Manual, but may not be entered in such events by member junior high schools. All district and state events sponsored
by MSHSAA are for senior high schools only.
4.2.5 District and State Music Festivals: The state music festival shall consist of only those solos and small ensemble entries
of not more than eight students qualied at a MSHSAA District Music Festival: however, there shall be a terminating state
festival held in each district for large choral and instrumental ensembles. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to
determine the music festival centers and the schools to be assigned to these festivals.
a. District music festivals evaluate the events from each participating school.
b. The state music festival evaluates events that have been awarded an exemplary rating at the district festival and provides
the opportunity for an even higher level of performance expectation and adjudicator evaluation.
4.2.6 School Entry Regulations for District and State Music Festivals: Only those member schools that meet the
requirements of this Section and pay the necessary fees are eligible for district and state evaluative festivals. Only those
schools qualifying at a district festival shall be eligible to enter students in the state festival.
a. Individual schools shall carefully screen entries for the district festivals.
b. No school may participate in more than one district festival, which shall be the festival held at the center set for its district,
to qualify for the state festival.
c. No school which received the highest division rating in a district shall be compelled to enter the state festival.
d. Only soloists and small ensembles earning a highest rating in one of the district evaluative festivals may be entered in the
state evaluative festival.
e. All entries must be certied by the principal or superintendent of the school they represent. Entries submitted by a private
teacher will not be accepted.
4.2.7 Music Entry Fees: The Board of Directors shall set the entry fees to meet the needs of the district and state evaluative
festivals. District and state festival directors shall submit a report to the MSHSAA ofce for each festival at the conclusion of
the festival.
4.2.8 Administration of Music Festivals: The administration of the district and state evaluative festivals shall be governed by
the policies and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors upon the advice and recommendations of the Music Advisory
Committee and published in the music manual.
a. Recording of large group performances by outside recording agencies shall be coordinated by MSHSAA.
4.2.9 Music Adjudicators: The Board of Directors shall approve judges for the district and state festivals. The judges shall
be selected from the MSHSAA approved list and reported to the Executive Director as soon as contracted. The Board of
Directors, by its own action or upon the recommendation of the Music Advisory Committee, may remove any judge’s name
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from the approved list for what it may consider “just cause.”
a. Fees: The Board of Directors shall set fees for judges of all MSHSAA festivals.
4.2.10 Marching Band and Auxiliary Groups - Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility (Physical) Form: The school shall require
of each student participating in marching band activities (i.e. ag corps, color guard, twirlers, etc.) a medical eligibility form
signed and authorized by a physician, advanced nurse practitioner in a written collaborative practice with a physician or
a certied physician's assistant in collaboration with a sponsoring physician stating that the individual is physically able to
participate in marching band activities at his/her school. A student shall not be permitted to practice or represent a school
until a complete, signed medical eligibility form is on le at the school. The medical eligibility form is valid for two years (730
days) from the date of issue for the purpose of this rule.
Music Questions & Answers:
Q1: Do students participating in interscholastic competitive/evaluative music and speech activities have to meet the
MSHSAA minimum essential student eligibility requirements?
A1: Yes. Some have assumed that since these activities are generally a direct outgrowth of curricular programs the
academic eligibility standards would not apply. As long as a student is limited to participating in a class setting
during the regularly scheduled school day, that assumption is correct. However, music and speech activities that
are conducted outside the regularly scheduled school day are considered to be extra-curricular in nature. Any extra-
curricular competitive/evaluative music or speech event that involves students from two or more schools is considered
to be an interscholastic event. Students participating in competitive/evaluative music or speech events must meet the
MSHSAA minimum essential student eligibility requirements. This would not apply to events that are not competitive or
evaluative, such as a parade that is not judged.
Q2: Can our school’s band attend: a) A marching band competition in Florida? b) An evaluative band festival in Texas? c)
A parade in California that is not adjudicated (a performance only)?
A2: a) and b) Yes, provided the event meets the specications indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by
the MSHSAA Board of Directors. c) Yes. MSHSAA music sanction By-Laws apply only to competitive or evaluative
events.
Q3: Our marching band is going to march in a competitive parade but our band is marching in exhibition only (no
ranking rating or comments will be provided and the band will not be judged in any way). We have a student who is
academically ineligible. Can that student march with the band at the parade?
A3: Yes. Since your band is not participating in the competition and no evaluation will be done (no ranking, rating or
comments) the ineligible student could participate. Since the event is neither competitive or evaluative for your band,
eligibility standards would not apply.
Q4: Our school is hosting a junior high music festival this year. We have been contacted by a few schools who are not
members of MSHSAA expressing an interest in entering some students in the festival. In addition, some of the
member schools have elected to not include 6th grade as part of their membership. They have asked if they could
enter some 6th grade students. Is there a way that we can organize the festival to allow this?
A4: Yes. It would be possible to organize the event so that there are really two separate events occurring simultaneously.
All 6th grade participants not part of the member school's registration and all students of non-member schools must be
scheduled into rooms separate from the member school students and would participate in a separate festival from the
member school festival. In this situation, students below the 6th grade and students of non-member schools cannot
participate with or against students of member schools, this is the only way this would be possible.
Q5: Can our school’s band compete in: a) a jazz band competition in Oklahoma? b) a marching band competition in Iowa?
c) a competitive bowl game parade?
A5: a) b) and c) Yes, provided the event meets the specication indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by the
MSHSAA Board of Directors and/or the MSHSAA ofce.
Q6: Our school is hosting a jazz band competition and inviting Missouri schools only to participate do we need to complete
a sanction application?
A6: No. MSHSAA By-Law 4.2.4.b states that an interscholastic music event sponsored by a member school must have
the approval of the high school administrator and, for interstate events approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors
and/or the MSHSAA ofce. It is the local school administrator’s responsibility to ensure that all MSHSAA By-Laws are
being upheld.
Q7: We have a student who plays the piano and wishes to enter a piano solo in the district music festival. She has been in
the school band in past years. However, due to scheduling conicts she is unable to participate in band this year. She
has refused to serve as an accompanist or to participate in any extra curricular school music groups. Is she eligible to
enter a piano solo in the district music festival?
A7: No. Since she is not a member of a school music performing organization, she would not be eligible to participate in
the district music festival.
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Q8: Our high school music director would like to use a few of our advanced junior high students (grades 6, 7 and 8) to
perform with the high school choir at the district music festival. Our school has a separate membership registration
status with MSHSAA for our junior high school. Can the junior high students participate with the high school choir?
A8: No. As your school has a separate membership registration for the junior high school those students are not eligible
to represent the high school in interscholastic music events as the junior high school is viewed as a separate member.
Q9: A local business is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Day Marching Band Parade with the top 3 schools in each class being
awarded a trophy and a cash prize of $1000, $500 and $250. May our school’s marching band entered this parade
and accept the cash prize if they are one of the top 3 schools in their division?
A9: Yes, provided the event meets the specications indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by the MSHSAA
Board of Directors. Cash awards may be accepted and awarded to the school music program; however individual
student(s) shall not compete for or accept cash awards if the individual(s) are representing the school.
Q10: We have a group of students who have formed a band and play at various events on the weekend and throughout the
summer for money. The students are also members of the music program at our school. Can they accept money and
still be eligible to represent our school in interscholastic music events throughout the year?
A10: Yes, provided the students are not representing the school when they are playing at these events. Individual students
may accept cash awards and not jeopardize their school eligibility as long as they are not representing their school
during these performances. In other words, they cannot be John, Susie, Tim and Bob from Bedrock HS, but could be
John, Susie, Tim and Bob from Musicville, USA.
Q11: A local radio station is conducting a contest for school choir programs to enter and the top three groups selected will
be showcased as the opening act for Pentatonix, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. The top three winning ensembles
will also receive $500 dollars cash award for their school music program. Can our school choir enter the contest and
accept the cash award?
A11: Yes, provided the event meets the specications indicated in By-Law 4.2.4 and approval is granted by the MSHSAA
Board of Directors. Cash awards may be accepted and awarded to the school music program; however individual
student(s) shall not compete for or accept cash awards if the individual(s) are representing the school.
Q12: Our school does not have a marching band, however, we do have a concert band, concert choir and a show choir.
Are these students required to have a physical on file prior to participation?
A12: No. This requirement is only for members of the marching band program.
Q13: Do flag corp, color guard, twirlers, etc., that are part of the marching band required to have a physical in order to
participate?
A13: Yes. These members are also part of the marching band and will be practicing/performing with the band during the
summer and school year.
Q14: Now that physical exams are required for marching band; will our band directors need to complete a course in Heat
Illness Prevention/Recognition every two years?
A14: Yes. Any sport or activity requiring a physical exam for participation will require the coaches/directors of those sports/
activities to complete a Heat Illness Prevention/Recognition course every two years. There are multiple options for
this training (i.e. NFHSLearn Course, or by a local ATC, etc.).
Q15: Our band only participates in a couple of parades each year in which they do not compete. Additionally, they do
perform at our home football games. Do our band members have to have a physical?
A15: Yes. These students are participating in marching band and are therefore required to have a physical on file prior to
their first practice/rehearsal.
Q16. By-law 4.1.5 (Parental Permission) and 4.1.6 (Healthcare Coverage) require collection and verification of information
for all participating students prior to any interscholastic activity. The first day of practice for my music ensemble, which
will participate in competitive and evaluative music events, coincides with the first day of school. While I send some
information before our first class meeting, most of my students will need time to receive and complete the necessary
documentation with their parents and guardians. Most students will not have this information on the first day of class,
which is our first day of practice, will this prevent me from working with my students on the first day of class?
A16. No, this will not prevent any student from participating and practicing during the first day of class. Still, all students
must complete the Pre-Participation Documentation-Annual Requirements, which includes the permission to
participate and verifies healthcare coverage. The required documentation must be collected before any extra-
curricular (outside of class time) practices and before student participation in any competitive or evaluative events.
For students participating in marching band, the pre-participation documentation with a pre-participation physical exam
(medical eligibility form) must be collected and verified before the student may practice.
4.3 SPEECH / DEBATE
4.3.1 Individual Limits on Participation:
a. Students enrolled in grades 9-12 shall participate in no more than 11 interscholastic speech/debate meets, festivals,
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and/or tournaments during the school year, inclusive of the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) District
Tournament and exclusive of the MSHSAA district and state tournaments. Students in the 6th, 7th and/or 8th grade shall
participate in no more than FIVE interscholastic speech and/or debate meets, festivals, and/or tournaments during the
school year.
b. A student shall give the same individual speech/selection in no more than 11 tournaments, meets, or festivals during
a school year exclusive of NSDA and MSHSAA District and State events. An individual speech/selection shall not be
repeated by a student who gave that speech/selection in an interscholastic speech event in a previous school year
(grades 9-12). This restriction applies to district and state events, as well as to the regular season.
4.3.2 Season Limits - High School: No senior high school interscholastic speech/debate events shall be held before the Friday
of Standardized Calendar Week Number 14 or later than April 1, other than the allowances listed below:
a. The MSHSAA state tournament.
b. A school may participate in one interscholastic event after April 1 and prior to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Such
an event shall count as one of the school’s allowable regular season events as per By-Law 4.3.1 (Limits on Participation).
c. Teams or individuals representing a school may participate in interstate, interscholastic events which may begin no earlier
than the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, only if the school has advanced from a qualifying event that takes place during
the aforementioned season or if the event’s selection procedure has been approved by the MSHSAA Board of Directors.
4.3.3 Season Limits - Junior High School: A junior high school may participate in a maximum of TEN junior high interscholastic
speech/debate meets, festivals, and/or tournaments in a school year. These events may be held at any time during the
school year. No 6th, 7th or 8th grade student is eligible for competition on or against a senior high school team consisting of
ninth graders or above.
4.3.4 Speech/Debate Event Sanction Regulations:
a. Any speech event which involves students from more than one school sponsored by a non-school organization or
a college or university shall have the approval of the Board of Directors and interstate speech events shall have the
approval of the Board of Directors and the state associations of all states invited. Application for approval shall be
submitted no later than 30 days prior to the rst date of the event.
b. An interscholastic speech event sponsored by a member school shall have the approval of the high school administrator
and, for interstate events approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors.
c. All events shall meet the following standards:
1. See By-Law 4.1.10 for denitions of allowable awards.
2. No interscholastic speech event shall start before 4:00 p.m. on a school day, except that events may start as early
as 2:00 p.m. on Friday. The MSHSAA District and State Tournaments shall be exempted from this regulation and a
school may participate in one regular season contest (which may be the NSDA District Tournament) per school year
that begins as early as 8:00 a.m. on a school day.
3. Shall be in accord with all other provisions contained in the Speech and Debate By-Laws.
d. A school that violates any of these standards shall be suspended from participation in any interscholastic speech/debate
activity for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall be considered a violation for a member school to participate in
interscholastic speech events with a member school so suspended.
4.3.5 Eligibility for Speech and Debate District Tournament: To be eligible to enter a team or individual into the District
tournament, a school must have competed in at least one competition during the regular season and each individual student
must have represented his or her school in at least one interscholastic contest during the season.
Speech/Debate Questions & Answers:
Q1: Students at our school plan to compete in American Legion Oratorical Contest, the VFW Voice of America Contest and
the Optimist International oratorical Contest. Would any of these contests court against the eleven allowable speech
tournaments for a given student?
A1: No. Students are not representing the school speech team in these contests.
Q2: Our team plans to participate in the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament over Memorial
Day weekend. Is it permissible for us to travel and/or compete on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend even if it
would require class time to be missed?
A2: Yes. MSHSAA denes the end of the school year as the end of the school day on the Thursday preceding Memorial
Day.
Q3: Our duet acting team presented a cutting from a play in several interscholastic tournaments last year. May they
present a different cutting from the same play this year or may one of the students present the same cutting in the
dramatic interpretation event?
A3: No. A student shall not give the same selection in any tournament, meet, or festival he or she gave in any previous
year of high school competition. A selection is dened as the entire work from which a cutting is taken, including plays.
Q4: I am the coach of a junior high school debate team. Our school is looking to grow student participation, and we want
to maximize our ability to compete in various JH speech and debate events and tournaments this year. Can you clarify
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the maximum number of events/meets/tournaments our team can enter, and what are any restrictions on individual
student participation?
A4: According to by-laws 4.3.1 and 4.3.3, which address season limits and student participation for junior high school
speech and debate, your junior high school team can participate in a maximum of ten interscholastic speech and
debate events/meets/tournaments during the school year. These events can be scheduled at any time throughout
the school year. However, an individual student (a 6th, 7th, or 8th grader) can only participate in a maximum of ve
events throughout the school year, regardless of whether the team has scheduled the maximum of allowed events
for the team. Students who have competed in ve of any events may not participate in any additional events for that
school year.
4.4 SCHOLAR BOWL
4.4.1 Scholar Bowl Dened: Scholar Bowl shall be dened as competition between two or more schools which involves the
answering of questions by team members “quiz bowl” style. The questions involved shall be eclectic in scope, involving
all of the primary academic disciplines (math, science, literature, ne arts, social studies, etc.).
4.4.2 Limits on Participation in Scholar Bowl: The options for contests permitted for each school team and each individual
participant are shown below.
a. High School Contest Limitations: Scheduling options / contests allowed. The options below are exclusive of any
MSHSAA sponsored tournament series.
1. 20 duals and 2 Tournaments
2. 10 duals and 8 Tournaments
3. 0 duals and 14 Tournaments
b. Junior High School Contest Limitations:
1. 12 duals and 1 Tournament
2. 7 duals and 5 Tournaments
3. 0 duals and 11 Tournaments
4.4.3 Season Limits for Scholar Bowl: No senior high school or junior high school shall participate in an interscholastic scholar
bowl event before the Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 14 nor later than the date of the MSHSAA District
Competition, exclusive of the MSHSAA state competition, other than the following allowances:
a. A school may participate in one interstate, interscholastic scholar bowl event which may begin no earlier than the
Friday of Memorial Day weekend, only if the school has advanced from a qualifying event that takes place during the
aforementioned season.
b. A school may participate in one interscholastic event following districts and prior to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.
Such an event shall count as one of the school’s allowable regular season events as per By-Law 4.4.2 (Limits on
Participation) and must meet the travel regulations per By-Law 4.4.4.d.
4.4.4 Scholar Bowl Event Sanction Regulations:
a. Any scholar bowl event which involves students from more than one school sponsored by a non-school organization or
a college or university shall have the approval of the Board of Directors and interstate scholar bowl events shall have
the approval of the Board of Directors and the state associations of all states invited. Application for approval shall be
submitted no later than 30 days prior to the rst date of the event.
b. An interscholastic scholar bowl event sponsored by a member school shall have the approval of the high school
administrator and, for interstate events, approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors.
c. All events shall meet the following standards:
1. See By-Law 4.1.10 for denition of allowable awards.
2. All interscholastic scholar bowl events shall be in accord with all other provisions contained in the Scholar Bowl By-
Law 4.4.
d. A school that violates any of these standards shall be suspended from participation in any interscholastic scholar bowl
standards for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall be considered a violation for a member school to participate in
interscholastic scholar bowl events with a member school so suspended.
4.5 SPIRIT [SIDELINE CHEER AND DANCE TEAMS]
4.5.1 Denition of Sideline Cheer: A sideline cheer team is responsible for boosting school spirit, promoting good
sportsmanship, developing positive crowd involvement and will help their school achieve the most worthwhile educational
objectives in its interscholastic program.
4.5.2 Denition of Dance Teams: Dance teams shall be dened as dance groups, pom pon teams and any other school
performing group that primarily involves dance.
4.5.3 Spirit Safety Regulations: The following safety regulations shall govern the activities of all spirit teams throughout the
calendar year.
a. All pyramids (mounts) or partner stunts shall be limited to no more than two persons high. All individuals in a pyramid
or partner stunt who are not in contact with the oor or ground shall be supported by one or more individuals who are in
direct contact with the oor or ground.
b. The use of mini-tramps, spring boards or similar height increasing apparatus shall not be permitted.
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c. The safety regulations contained in the National Federation Spirit Rules Book and the MSHSAA Spirit Manual shall be
followed.
4.5.4 Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility (Physical) Form and Healthcare Coverage - Spirit:
a. The school shall require of each student participating in spirit activities a medical eligibility form signed and authorized
by a physician, advanced nurse practitioner in a written collaborative practice with a physician or a certied physician’s
assistant in collaboration with a sponsoring physician stating that the individual is physically able to participate in spirit
activities at her/his school. A student shall not be permitted to practice or represent a school until a complete, signed
medical eligibility form is on le at the school. The medical eligibility form is valid for two years (730 days) from the date of
issue for the purpose of this rule.
b. Healthcare Coverage: See By-Law 4.1.6
4.5.5 Spirit Conditioning Requirements: Each team must have a minimum of 14 days of conditioning practice and each individual
must have participated in a minimum of 14 school conditioning practices on 14 different days during the three consecutive
weeks immediately preceding the rst calendar date on which the rst spirit activity is scheduled.
4.5.6 Spirit Limits on Participation: Students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 are eligible for participation in spirit events, provided
they are enrolled in a 6-12 combined member school. If the junior high school in which students are enrolled is either not a
member of MSHSAA or a separate junior high member, such students shall not be eligible to represent the senior high school
in spirit activities.
4.5.7 Spirit - Representing the School: One or more school sideline cheerleaders or dancers may represent the school:
a. At an event sponsored by a member school,
b. At an event in which another group from the respective school is participating, and
c. In a maximum of three non-competitive cheer events (e.g. Collegiate sporting event half-time performance, Run for the
Cure event) excluding commercial and/or promotional ventures and endorsement events. Such events shall not cause a
loss of class time.
4.5.8 Spirit - Season: A school season is dened as the period beginning with the date the student is selected as a school sideline
cheerleader or dancer and shall end as of the:
a. Sideline Cheer: last contest of the last sports season for which the cheerleader’s team is assigned to cheer.
b. Dance: last contest date for which the dance team is representing the school.
4.5.9 Spirit - School Insignia: A sideline cheerleader or dancer shall not wear the school uniform or insignia except for:
a. School-sponsored events,
b. Camps when accompanied by a member of the school coaching staff,
c. Events allowed under By-Law 4.5.7, Representing the School.
4.5.10 Dance Team - Contests: Dance teams shall be allowed a maximum of ve in-state or out-of-state contests (competitive
events) during the school year (from the opening day of school to the ofcial closing day at the end of the academic year).
These activities shall meet the following standards:
a. The safety regulations contained in MSHSAA By-Law 4.5.5 or any which are more restrictive that are established by the
event sponsor shall be followed.
b. Any dance team event which involves students from more than one school sponsored by a non-school organization or
a college or university or which will involve schools from other states shall have the approval of the Board of Directors.
Application for approval shall be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the event. An interscholastic dance team
event sponsored by a member school which involves only Missouri schools shall have the approval of the high school
administrator.
c. Events involving students from more than two schools approved for commercial or promotional purposes and which cause
a loss of class time shall not be approved for schools outside their respective local communities.
d. This section shall not be interpreted to prohibit a local board of education from adopting any higher standards that it
considers appropriate for its school community.
e. A student that violates any of these standards (By-Laws, etc.) shall be ineligible from participation in any interscholastic
event in the specied activity for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall further be considered a violation for member
schools to participate in an interscholastic event with a member school so suspended.
Spirit Questions & Answers:
Q1: A local business has invited our high school cheer team to attend and participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new
supermarket. Would their presence be allowable under MSHSAA By-Laws?
A1: Participants shall not represent the school (appearing in school uniform, school-named clothing, at school facilities, or
with mascot/school colors) to endorse or promote a product/service, commercial venture, political venture, etc. without
prior, written consent by a school administrator.
Q2: Does sideline cheer conditioning practice count toward the 14 days of practice required under By-Law 3.9?
A2: No. Spirit conditioning practices (including sideline cheer and dance/pom) will not count toward the athletic conditioning
requirement.
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Q3: Is a student who is participating on an athletic team required to meet the conditioning standard again if the student will
be participating in spirit (sideline cheer and dance/pom) the next sports season?
A3: No. Athletic conditioning practices will count toward the spirit conditioning requirement, as long as no more than seven
days have elapsed between the last game or athletic practice and the rst spirit practice.
Q4: Do the sideline cheerleaders have to have their 14 conditioning practices completed prior to the preseason football
interschool scrimmage?
A4: No, each member of the sideline cheer team must have completed a minimum of nine school conditioning practices
prior to cheering at the preseason interschool scrimmage. This applies to all team sports that may conduct a preseason
interschool scrimmage. However, if another spirit activity is scheduled earlier than the scrimmage, all 14 practices
would have to have been completed.
Q5: Our school would like to sponsor a competitive cheer team to participate in various competitive events throughout the
school year. There are members of our sideline cheer team who would like to participate on the competitive cheer team
as well. Is this allowed?
A5: MSHSAA has no jurisdiction over competitive cheer. Therefore it would be considered a “club activity” (much like
ice hockey) with oversight of this activity administered through the local school administration. However, please be
advised that participants are covered under the MSHSAA catastrophic insurance for sideline cheer only. Any injuries
sustained while involved with competitive cheer are not covered under the MSHSAA insurance policy.
Q6: Our school has recently added competitive cheer as a club activity. Is it allowable for the competitive cheer team to
wear the school cheer uniform when participating in competitive cheer events?
A6: MSHSAA has no jurisdiction over competitive cheer. If a school sponsors a club competitive cheer team, the use of the
school cheer uniforms and equipment is up to local administration.
Q7: What groups are included as dance teams in the MSHSAA Spirit Manual and how are these groups dened?
A7: Dance teams shall be dened as dance groups, pom pon teams, and any other school performing group that primarily
involves dance. Pom pons is a group which performs to choreographed music with or without the use of props. Dance
teams are the same as pom pons but on a larger scale.
Q8: We have a person who has been involved in cheer for many years but has never attended a college/university. Can this
person serve as our head cheer coach?
A8: Yes, provided the individual meets the requirements outlined in By-Law 4.1.2, prior to approval to serve as a head
coach.
Q9: We have a member of our school sideline cheer and dance team who is attending basic training for the military and
will not be able to complete the 14 days of conditioning prior to the rst football contest. Can the basic training she is
completing count towards the fourteen days of team conditioning for spirit?
A9: No. Conditioning Standards require that each individual team member must participate in fourteen team practices on
fourteen different days during the three consecutive weeks immediately preceding the rst calendar date on which the
rst spirit activity is scheduled.
Q10: Do students have to have a current physical to participate in cheer or dance try-outs?
A10: Yes, a try-out is considered a practice and a current physical is needed before a student may practice in preparation
for and including try-outs for sideline cheer or dance. NOTE: Only students who are currently enrolled at the member
school may participate in spring try-outs. Students who may be transferring from another school district into your district
for the fall semester are not eligible to participate in spring try-outs.
Q11: Our sideline cheer team is sponsoring a youth clinic in the afternoon prior to one of our home football games. Could
the clinic attendees: a) cheer at the game on the sidelines with the high school cheerleaders; b) perform with the
cheerleaders during the halftime show?
A11: It is permissible for the sideline cheer team to sponsor the youth clinic. Cheering with your cheerleaders for the game in
a) is not permissible, but performing at halftime in b) is allowable.
4.6 THEATRE
4.6.1 Individual Limits on Participation: Students enrolled in grades 9-12 shall participate in no more than 11 interscholastic
theatre meets, festivals, and/or tournaments during the school year, exclusive of the MSHSAA district and state tournament.
Students in the 6th, 7th and/or 8th grade shall participate in no more than FIVE theatre meets, festivals, and/or tournaments
during the school year.
4.6.2 Season Limits - High School: No senior high school interscholastic theatre events shall be held before the Friday of
Standardized Calendar Week Number 14 nor later than April 1, other than the allowances listed below:
a. The MSHSAA state tournament.
b. A school may participate in one interscholastic event after April 1 and prior to the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Such
an event shall count as one of the school’s allowable regular season events as per By-Law 4.6.1 (Limits on Participation).
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c. Teams or individuals representing a school may participate in interstate, interscholastic events which may begin no
earlier than the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, only if the school has advanced from a qualifying event that takes
place during the aforementioned season or if the event’s selection procedure has been approved by the MSHSAA
Board of Directors.
4.6.3 Season Limits - Junior High School: A junior high school may participate in a maximum of TEN junior high interscholastic
festivals, and/or tournaments in a school year. These events may be held at any time during the school year. No 6th, 7th or
8th grade student is eligible for competition on or against a senior high school team consisting of ninth graders or above.
4.6.4 Theatre Event Sanction Regulations:
a. Any theatre event which involves students from more than one school sponsored by a non-school organization, or a
college or university shall have the approval of the Board of Directors and interstate speech events shall have the
approval of the Board of Directors and the state associations of all states invited. Application for approval shall be
submitted no later than 30 days prior to the rst date of the event.
b. An interscholastic theatre event sponsored by a member school shall have the approval of the high school administrator
and, for interstate events approval of the MSHSAA Board of Directors.
c. All events shall meet the following standards:
1. See By-Law 4.1.8 for denitions of allowable awards.
2. No interscholastic theatre event shall start before 4:00 p.m. on a school day, except that events may start as early as
2:00 p.m. on Friday. The MSHSAA District and State Tournaments shall be exempted from this regulation and a school
may participate in one regular season contest per school year that begins as early as 8:00 a.m. on a school day.
3. Shall be in accord with all other provisions contained in the Theatre By-Laws.
d. A school that violates any of these standards shall be suspended from participation in any interscholastic theatre activity
for a period not to exceed 365 days. It shall be considered a violation for a member school to participate in interscholastic
theatre events with a member school so suspended.
Page 110 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
SECTION 5:
PROCEDURAL
BY-LAWS
5.1 District and State Tournament Procedures
5.2 Procedures for Emerging Activities
5.3
Investigative Committee and Peer Review
Committee Procedures
5.4 Appeal Provisions and Procedures
5.5 Conduct
SECTION 5
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 111
5.1 DISTRICT AND STATE TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES
5.1.1 Member Schools: All district and state events sponsored by MSHSAA shall be for member senior high schools only, or
those member schools planned for and evolving as senior high schools which include the tenth grade or higher grades in
their enrollments.
5.1.2 Eligibility for District and State Tournament: To be eligible to enter a team or individual in any preliminary or state event,
a school must have competed in a minimum number of contests in the sport or activity during the regular season as listed
below. This provision does not apply to music or scholar bowl.
a. Teams:
1. Sports: See Diagram 3.29.6 for team requirements.
2. Speech/Debate: See By-Law 4.3.5 for team requirements.
b. Individuals: No individual student shall be entered who has not represented his or her school in an interscholastic contest
or competition in the applicable sport or activity during the season.
5.1.3 Other Regulations: Regulations contained in the activity manuals shall be considered ofcial under this By-Law.
5.1.4 Classications: Member high schools, as dened in Article III, Section 1, shall be divided into classes for competition in
district and state tournaments or meets based on the number of schools registered for districts in the activity and the use of
a maximum enrollment differential of 2.0 for all classes in the competitive sport or activity except Class 1. Non-competitive
activities will not utilize this classication system and classes will be set by the Board of Directors. Afliate Registered
Schools are not eligible for districts or the state series. In order for a district and state series to be sponsored by MSHSAA, a
minimum of 50 schools in three Board Districts must be registered for the sport/activity for a period of two consecutive years.
(See also By-Law 5.2, Emerging Activities.) If, after a second consecutive year of growth or decline, the number of schools
registered in a sport or activity and the enrollment differential(s) support either additional or fewer classes, respectively,
the Board will consider such action. The procedure for grouping schools into classes for each sport/activity shall be
established by the Board of Directors. Editor's Note: See Board Policy on Enrollment, Classication, and Districts.
5.1.5 Coed Enrollments: High schools shall be classied on the basis of their coed enrollments in grades 9-11. The enrollment
for a single gender school shall be doubled. Editor's Note: The enrollment of a single gender school will not be doubled for
activities due to activities being co-educational.
5.1.6 No Alterations of Ofcial Enrollment: Except in case of annexation, reorganization, consolidation, or discontinuance of a
high school, the enrollment count submitted to MSHSAA on an ofcial enrollment report listing all students by name, shall be
utilized for the enrollment adjustment calculation and activity classication. If further verication is needed, the school shall
be required to furnish such proof. In case of annexation, reorganization, consolidation, or discontinuance of a high school,
classication shall be determined by the combined or separated enrollments, as applicable. The classication for high
schools in all sports and activities will be published by MSHSAA on its website.
5.1.7 Championship Factor: Any member school that has the ability to limit its enrollment through selectivity and is exempt from
the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) guidelines shall be subject to a Championship Factor for classication
in sports and competitive activities. The Championship Factor Procedures re-classify schools that achieve specied points
based on advancement in the district and state series over the six years prior to the current school year. Editor's Note: See
Board Policy on Enrollment, Classication, and Districts.
District and State Tournament Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school may drop boys’ cross country next year because of nancial problems. We have one boy coming back who
participated in the State Meet last year. We’d like to see him compete again next year. Will he be able to do so even
though our school no longer will be sponsoring cross country?
A1: No. In order for a team or individual to participate in the MSHSAA sponsored tournament program, the school must
have an ofcial program, coach and schedule. A school must have competed in at least half of the number of contests
permitted under the By-Law pertaining to that particular sport. In cross country the school must participate in a
minimum of ve meets.
Q2: Our school participates in both boys and girls cross country. Are the classes for boys cross country determined
separately from those of the girls, thereby making it possible for our school’s girls program to be placed into a different
class than our boys program?
A2: No. MSHSAA By-Law 5.1.8 addresses this to insure that a school’s boys program and girls program will be assigned
to the same class unless the championship factor causes a separation. The classes in cross country are based on the
enrollment of the gender with the larger number of schools participating in the cross country district and state series.
Q3: We have a tennis player who qualified for State Tennis due to her finish at Sectionals. Unfortunately, due to a family
emergency she is not going to be able to come and play at state. May we forfeit her spot, and contact the school
whose player she beat at Sectionals and allow that player to come to state in this spot?
A3: No. The qualifying procedure in each sport is very specific. She qualified for state by legally earning that spot through
sectional play, and beating another player. That is her spot at the State Tournament. She can either play at state
Page 112 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
(preferred) or she can forfeit (not desired) to the state player that she scheduled against in the first round at State.
The player she beat at Sectionals is not a legal qualifier, and may not take her place at state. When submitting
entries for districts, it is important to only enter players that are able to complete the entire tournament. In this
emergency scenario, not being able to complete the tournament was not foreseen.
5.2 PROCEDURES FOR EMERGING SPORTS/ACTIVITIES
5.2.1 Denitions:
a. Emerging Sports/Activities: Emerging sports/activities are those that have been approved by the membership for
inclusion within the by-laws and are in their rst year or do not have 50 schools registered representing at least three of
the eight Board Districts.
b. Provisionally Interscholastic Sport/Activity: Upon the registration of 50 or more schools representing at least three
Board Districts during a given year, the sport/activity will be considered “provisionally interscholastic” the following year
and would be moved from By-Law 5.2.6 into 5.2.7.
c. MSHSAA Interscholastic Sport/Activity: Upon registration of 50 or more schools representing at least three Board
Districts for a second consecutive year and upon passage of the necessary by-laws to fully integrate the sport/activity into
the interscholastic offerings by the membership, the sport/activity would be considered a “MSHSAA interscholastic sport/
activity” the following year and would fall under By-Law 5.1 for sponsorship of a MSHSAA District and State Series.
5.2.2 Request to Become An Emerging Sport/Activity: Requests for sports/activities to be listed in this section shall be made
to the Board of Directors no later than December 15, and must be approved by the membership on the Annual Ballot.
If approved by the membership, the sport/activity would be listed as an emerging sport/activity in the following year’s
Handbook, and registration in the sport/activity would be offered.
5.2.3 Limited Services: Emerging and provisionally interscholastic sports/activities will be limited in the services they receive until
they become “MSHSAA interscholastic” sports/activities as dened above. The following MSHSAA administrative services
will not be offered to emerging sports/activities or provisionally interscholastic sports/activities:
a. Rules meetings or online rules reviews and tests
b. Assigned rules interpreters
c. Activity area provided on the MSHSAA website
d. District and State Series administered by MSHSAA
e. MSHSAA Activity Manual published
f. MSHSAA Advisory Committee
5.2.4 By-Law Requirements: Emerging sports/activities and provisionally interscholastic sports/activities must abide by the
requirements listed and referenced in this section only.
a. Catastrophic Insurance Fees, as per Article V, Section 1
b. Coach/Director Requirements, as per By-Laws 3.1.1 - 3.1.9 or 4.1.1 - 4.1.3
c. Use of registered ofcials (when applicable), as per By-Law 6.1
d. Student Essential Eligibility Requirements outlined in By-Laws 2.1 to 2.12
e. Essential Age Requirement, as per By-Law 3.5 for sports
f. Pre-Participation Medical Eligibility (Physical) and Healthcare Coverage, as per By-Law 3.8 for sports and per By-Law
4.1.6 for activities
g. Conditioning Requirements, as per By-Law 3.9 for sports
h. National Federation of State High School Association game rules or game rule codes specied by MSHSAA for member
school competition shall be utilized.
i. Schools that meet the requirements listed in By-Laws 1.4.1 or 1.4.2 may form cooperative sponsorships.
j. Contest limitations, individual player limitations and the applicable season of participation will be determined by mutual
consent and specied in the game contract. Adherence to by-laws other than those listed in this section are optional and/
or to be determined in the game contract.
k. Provisions for Girls and Boys Programs, as per By-Law 3.20 for sports.
5.2.5 Registration: If no schools register for a sport/activity in a given year, it will be removed from this section and/or any other
applicable sections of the by-laws.
5.2.6 Current High School Emerging Sports/Activities: To follow are the sports and activities that currently fall within this
denition.
a. Sports:
1. Girls Field Hockey (34 schools/2 Board districts) (2023-24) (Sport)
2. Girls Lacrosse (41 schools/3 Board districts) (2023-24) (Sport)
3. Boys Water Polo (24 schools/1 Board district) (2023-24) (Sport)
4. Girls Water Polo (21 schools/1 Board district) (2023-24) (Sport)
5. Girls Stunt (5 schools/3 Board districts) (2023-24) (Sport)
b. Activities:
1. Bass Fishing (21 schools/6 Board districts) (2023-24) (Activity)
2. Bowling (10 schools/3 Board districts) (2023-24) (Activity)
3. Chess (15 schools/4 Board districts) (2023-24) (Activity)
4. Target Shooting (37 schools/7 Board districts) (2023-24) (Activity)
SECTION 5
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 113
5.2.7 Current Provisionally Interscholastic Sports/Activities:
a. Esports (109 schools/8 Board districts) (2023-24) (Activity)
Emerging Activities Questions & Answers:
Q1: Does our school need to register our bass shing team with MSHSAA?
A1: Yes, schools should register for all sports/activities – both interscholastic and emerging. First, this is the only way
you will be able to 1) complete an eligibility roster for the activity, 2) register and approve your coaches, and 3) be
covered with catastrophic insurance. Further, registration is the way the MSHSAA ofce will track the growth of
emerging sports. If schools do not register and the numbers decrease, the activity would be eliminated from MSHSAA
jurisdiction.
Q2: Do eligibility rosters need to be entered into the MSHSAA website for emerging sports/activities?
A2: Yes, eligibility rosters must be entered on the MSHSAA website. The roster numbers are used for calculating the
catastrophic insurance coverage, among other things. By placing a student on the eligibility roster the school is stating
that he/she meets the essential eligibility requirements.
Q3: Are emerging sport/activity participants affected by the transfer rules?
A3: Possibly, in that an athlete may elect to play an interscholastic sport other than an emerging sport; therefore, he/
she should be listed on the master student list and treated as a transfer student if transferring schools. However, no
transfer restrictions would be in place for the emerging sport(s) and activities.
Q4: Do the coaches of emerging sports/activities have to be listed and approved on the MSHSAA website?
A4: Yes, head and assistant coaches for emerging activities will need to be entered on the MSHSAA website’s coaches
roster, and approved as per the coaching standards. The coaching standards, which require a background check,
help to insure proper personnel are working with our young people and that the school administration is aware of the
necessary credentialing for coaches.
Q5: Do the emerging sports/activities revert to club status if they do not achieve the 50 school requirement within
5 years?
A5: No. Once the membership votes a sport or activity into By-Law 5.2, it may 1) grow and become an interscholastic
activity at some point, or it may 2) continue to be an emerging activity indenitely, or 3) the membership may decide
to vote to eliminate the activity from the by-laws.
Q6: Are emerging activities classied into a certain season?
A6: No, the schools participating in an emerging activity will mutually determine the season, contest limitations, and
many other aspects of the activity.
Q7: If our school registers for an emerging sport, such as water polo, may our team compete against any of the
following? a) a club water polo team in Missouri comprised of high school-aged individuals from various schools, b)
an interscholastic water polo team from a member school in another state, c) MSHSAA member school team that is
registered in water polo?
A7: a) Yes, b) Yes, but that school should check with that state association to conrm the legality of the contest., and
c) Yes. As an emerging sport (low participation and geographically isolated), there is a great deal of exibility for
competition under By-Law 5.2. When and if the sport grows to the level to become provisionally interscholastic or
interscholastic, the sport would have to adhere to different and more restrictive guidelines.
Q8: One of our eld hockey players has been given an opportunity to participate on a traveling team that receives items
and money beyond what is allowed in the MSHSAA amateurism rules. Does eld hockey’s status as an “emerging
sport” make any difference?
A8: Yes, as an emerging sport, eld hockey has fewer restrictions and more exibility under the by-laws. The amateurism
rule is not in place for eld hockey at the current time and therefore, the player would not jeopardize her eligibility for
high school eld hockey by playing on this traveling team and receiving these items as long as she is meeting all other
requirements as listed in By-Law 5.2. The school may decide to be more restrictive.
Q9: Our school is one of several high schools in the same public school district. Our high school is registered for the
emerging sport of eld hockey. May we allow students from the other high schools in our district to play on our eld
hockey team since this is an emerging sport?
A9: No, combined teams would not be allowable due to the requirement for participants to be bona de students at the
member school they represent. Further, schools of your size would probably not be eligible to co-op (By-Law 1.4) your
programs. Therefore, other high schools in the district would need to register for the activity if they want their students
to be able to participate in the sport of eld hockey. (By-Law 5.2)
Q10: We have registered for the new emerging activity of chess. What should we do now?
A10: As an emerging activity, there are few requirements or restrictions. Please refer to By-Law 5.2 for more information.
You will need to select a coach. There is no dened season or contest limitation; therefore, you should contact other
schools in your area and schedule competitions as you desire. MSHSAA staff sends an informational letter to schools
registered in one or more of the emerging activities each school year.
Page 114 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Q11: We have had a club bowling team for several years. Now that Bowling is an emerging activity under MSHSAA, do
we have to register for it and abide by the regulations listed in By-Law 5.2, or could we continue to compete as a club
bowling team which is mainly funded and organized by parents?
A11: You are not required to register and you may continue to compete as a club bowling team currently. However,
doing so detracts from this activity growing into an interscholastic MSHSAA activity with a State Series offered to
the membership. Further, when or if the activity becomes interscholastic in the future and a State Series is offered
schools would then be required to register for the activity and could no longer offer a school-based club team.
Q12: May our school cooperatively sponsor a team in a sport or activity that is currently classied as “emerging”?
A12: Yes, as long as your school meets the eligibility requirements to form a cooperative sponsorship. The requirements
for co-ops are listed in By-Law 1.4. There are school size limitations on co-oping that must be met, which are based
on total enrollment of the schools co-oping as listed in Board Policy. If your school does not meet the requirements to
co-op, you may not co-op in an emerging activity.
Q13: What events are included in the “target shooting” category?
A13: Currently, that is a local school decision. As an emerging activity the options are open to you to allow participation in
any target shooting event you choose (archery, air rie, trap, skeet, biathlon, etc.) This allows the category to grow. At
the point the statewide registration numbers near the requirement for transitioning into an interscholastic activity, the
specic categories of membership interest would be determined and offered on the Annual Ballot.
Q14: The Annual Ballot proposal to move Esports from Provisionally Interscholastic to fully interscholastic failed. If we
register with MSHSAA to participate in Esports as provisionally interscholastic, what do we have to abide by, and what
is in our decision-making power as a district?
A14: Whether you register for Esports with MSHSAA is up to you. You may participate in Esports and not register, but if
you register, there are a number of by-laws that are required to be met by schools/students. The list of the by-laws
you must abide by appears in By-Law 5.2.4, and includes the coaching requirements, all student eligibility by-laws
(including using only bona de students, good citizenship, academics, semesters, certicates of eligibility, etc.)
Options within your control include the game titles you choose to compete in, the season(s) in which you play, the
number of contests you schedule, the amount/distance you travel, etc.
Q15: What does the future hold for Esports and MSHSAA? Will going fully interscholastic be voted on again in the future?
A15: When and if another proposal is presented to the membership for a vote for Esports to become fully interscholastic will
be up to the MSHSAA Board of Directors, and there is no set timeline. Their future decisions will depend on feedback
from the member schools (i.e. direct comments, requests, or via surveys).
5.3 INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE AND PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
5.3.1 Investigative Committee: The MSHSAA member schools shall elect district investigative committees to investigate reported
alleged violations of MSHSAA By-Laws regarding transfers of students that involve undue inuence and reported alleged
violations that involve nancial assistance awarded to students for athletic reasons. These committees shall investigate such
ofcially reported alleged violations and report their ndings to the MSHSAA staff along with recommendations for further
investigation.
5.3.2 Investigative Committee Membership: There shall be eight investigative committees, one from each of the eight Board
Districts, and each committee shall consist of three elected members, and up to two part-time investigators appointed by the
Board of Directors. The member schools in each of the eight Board Districts shall elect one public school administrator, one
non-public school administrator and one at large member each to serve a three year term. To be eligible for service on an
investigative committee a person must be actively serving a member school as a superintendent, assistant superintendent,
principal, assistant principal, or athletic director/activities director.
a. Elected members of the investigative committees shall be eligible to serve no more than two consecutive three year
terms each. Any part of an unexpired term shall not be considered as one of the two consecutive three year terms
permitted.
b. The committee shall be nominated and elected by ballot. Final ballots shall be received at the MSHSAA ofce no later
than May 1. Each newly elected member shall take ofce on the next succeeding July 1.
c. In case a committee member resigns or is no longer eligible to serve for any reason, the Board of Directors shall appoint
a replacement to serve for the remainder of that school year, if necessary, and a new committee member shall be elected
to serve the remainder of that term at the time of the next election.
d. Any investigators appointed by the Board of Directors will work in conjunction with the elected members of the committee
to assist in the investigation and advise the committee on proper procedures, timeline, the compilation and structure of
the nal report, etc.
5.3.3 Peer Review Committee and Membership: The Board of Directors is authorized to form a Peer Review Committee to
assist in a situation where an ofcial complaint has been received by a member school and evidence supports that a school
violation has taken place. Such a committee may intervene, investigate and/or assist in corrective action with the offending
school, as directed by the Board of Directors. Membership of the Peer Review Committee would include seven individuals:
a. The Investigative Committee for the applicable Board District (three individuals),
SECTION 5
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 115
b. An administrator from a member school within the conference (if applicable) of the member school ling the complaint, to
be assigned by the Board of Directors,
c. An administrator from a member school within the conference (if applicable) of the offending school, to be assigned by
the Board of Directors, and
d. Two additional school administrators from member schools in the applicable Board District, to be assigned by the Board
of Directors.
5.3.4 Non-School Investigator: The MSHSAA Executive Director, with authority granted by the Board of Directors, may hire
a non-school investigator for the purpose of assisting MSHSAA in the investigation of reported violations of transfers of
students involving undue inuence and reported violations involving nancial assistance awarded to students for athletic
reasons. The non-school investigator shall be used as necessary at the discretion of the MSHSAA Board of Directors.
5.4 APPEAL PROVISIONS AND PROCEDURES
5.4.1 Appeal for Lesser Penalty to Board of Directors: A school may appeal to the Board of Directors to assess a lesser penalty
than any provided for in the Constitution or By-Laws when the violation was inadvertent.
5.4.2 Appeals Committee: The Board of Directors shall appoint an Appeals Committee to hear and render decisions on appeals
of alleged violations of the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
Decisions of the Appeals Committee are subject to review by the MSHSAA Board of Directors.
5.4.3 Appeals Committee Membership: The Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors and shall consist of ten
members, one from each Association membership district and one appointed by each of the two At-Large Board Members.
Each of the two individuals appointed by the At-Large Board Members shall represent either the under-represented gender
of the current Committee, or an under-represented ethnicity. To be eligible for service on the Appeals Committee, a person
must be actively serving a member school in the capacity of a board of education member, superintendent, assistant
superintendent, principal, assistant principal, athletic/activities director, or an approved coach or director (coach, music
director, speech director, or spirit sponsor). No member of the Board of Directors may be appointed.
a. Members of the Appeals Committee shall not be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms of four years each.
Any part of an unexpired term shall not be considered as one of the two consecutive four-year terms permitted.
b. In case of death, resignation, removal from the district or withdrawal from a qualifying position, the Board of Directors
shall declare a vacancy and shall appoint a qualied person from the membership district to ll the unexpired term.
c. The Appeals Committee shall elect from its membership a chairperson and vice-chairperson to serve one year. The vice-
chairperson shall be vested with authority of the chairperson in the absence or unavailability of the chairperson.
The election shall take place at the March meeting.
5.4.4 Appeals Committee Action:
a. No member of the Appeals Committee shall participate in the hearing of any appeal which involves or will affect any
school with which such member is associated by reason of employment or the holding of the position of board of
education member.
b. Except action taken by an emergency panel designated by the chairperson under By-Law 5.4.10, a quorum of six
members of the Appeals Committee shall be required for the purpose of considering any appeal and a majority vote of
the members present shall be required for any action of the committee.
5.4.5 Appeals Committee Meetings: The Appeals Committee shall schedule regular meetings during the school year to consider
appeals. The dates of the Appeals Committee meetings will be published in the MSHSAA Ofcial Handbook.
5.4.6 Appeal Procedure - Local School: All disputes or controversies relating to student eligibility, member schools, event
ofcials or other matters arising under the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules or Regulations of the Missouri State High School
Activities Association shall on request by a member school be reviewed by the Executive Director, provided, however, the
initial rulings on student eligibility arising under the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules or Regulations of the Missouri State High
School Activities Association shall be made by the local school authorities in accord with appeal procedures established by
the Board of Education or governing board of the school. Each request for review shall contain full information including
charges, all evidence available, and in the case of student eligibility, the school’s ruling. The Executive Director shall issue
an opinion on the dispute or controversy within seven days after receiving the request, and shall inform the school or other
interested party thereof. In the case of student eligibility, the student shall be notied through his or her school administrator.
The Ofcial Handbook of the Missouri State High School Activities Association is the instrument for informing schools of the
regulations they have adopted and are committed to uphold. In a case of a school violation, the opinion of the Executive
Director shall be advisory only.
5.4.7 Appeal Procedure - Executive Director: The Executive Director is authorized to take immediate action on sportsmanship
cases as provided under MSHSAA By-Law 5.5.1.a and to rule on disputes involving the application of game rules or disputes
involving the provisions established by the Board of Directors to administer district and state tournaments or festivals
sponsored by the Association.
Page 116 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
5.4.8 Appeal Procedure - Appeals Committee: If any interested party is aggrieved by an opinion or decision of the Executive
Director, then such party may appeal through the Executive Director in writing for a review by or a hearing before the Appeals
Committee. The request for such a review or hearing shall be submitted within ten days following the Executive Director’s
opinion or decision.
a. The Appeals Committee will schedule a review or hearing as requested, no later than its rst regularly scheduled meeting
after receiving the written appeal.
b. In the event of a hearing, any interested party will be given the opportunity to testify and present evidence, and the
school(s) shall be represented by an administrative ofcer.
c. The Appeals Committee shall render a written decision not later than seven days after the receipt of all requested
information and closure of the hearing or review, setting forth the reasons for the decision.
5.4.9 Appeal Procedure - Board of Directors: An appeal may be made by any interested party to the Board of Directors of any
decision rendered by the Appeals Committee. A written request for an appeal must be led through the Executive Director
with the Board of Directors within ten days following the ruling by the Appeals Committee.
a. The Board of Directors will schedule a hearing no later than its rst regularly scheduled meeting after receiving the written
request.
b. Any interested party will be given the opportunity to testify and present evidence, and the school shall be represented by
an administrative ofcer.
c. The Board of Directors shall render a written decision not later than seven days after the receipt of all requested
information and closure of the hearing or review, setting forth the reasons for the decision.
5.4.10 Emergency Appeal Procedure: In emergency cases which are appealed to either the Appeals Committee or the Board of
Directors the following denition and procedure shall apply:
a. Emergency cases shall be those in which the time and circumstances do not reasonably allow for the convening of a
quorum of the Appeals Committee or the Board of Directors as determined in the sole discretion of the chairperson of the
Appeals Committee or President of the Board of Directors respectively.
b. In such cases, the chairperson or President may appoint a panel of at least three members of the Committee or Board,
respectively, to hear and rule on appeals.
c. A majority vote of the members participating shall be required for any action of the respective panels. A decision of such
panel shall be considered a decision of the Appeals Committee or of the Board of Directors, respectively.
5.5 CONDUCT
5.5.1 Unsportsmanlike Conduct: The Board of Directors is vested with the power to suspend schools from membership for
the unsportsmanlike conduct of teams, coaches, students or fans. Each school is responsible for the conduct of its teams,
coaches, students and fans at games both at home and away.
a. The Board may delegate to the Executive Director power to take immediate action when a situation demands such.
The party or parties concerned shall have the privilege of requesting a hearing before the Board of Directors at its next
regularly scheduled meeting for a review of the case and the action taken by the MSHSAA ofce.
b. The Board of Directors may, at its discretion, substitute a ne for each offense in lieu of suspension from the Association
or to take any action that it deems advisable that does not exceed the maximum penalty of 365 days suspension from the
association.
c. Ejected Player: A player who is ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall at a minimum be prohibited from
playing in any interscholastic contest for that sport or activity at any level until the one-contest suspension at the level at
which the ejection occurred has been served.
d. Ejected Coach: A coach who is ejected during a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall at a minimum be prohibited
from coaching and attending any interscholastic contest for that sport or activity at any level until the one-contest
suspension at the level at which the ejection occurred has been served. Additionally, the coach must satisfactorily
complete an approved online sportsmanship training course, prior to being reinstated.
e. Ejections must be appealed at the contest site. All appeals must be made at the time of occurrence by using MSHSAA
Board Policy for On-Site Protests, and the decision made at the contest site is final. (See full procedures for protests in
the Board Policies in the back of the Handbook.)
5.5.2 Removal of Team From Game: Any school whose coach removes a team from play in protest may be required to appear
before the Board at its next meeting to show reason why the school shall not be suspended.
5.5.3 Filing Charges: Any school shall have the right to le charges against any other school to be taken up at the next regularly
scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. However, such school shall le its charges in writing and shall appear before
the Board of Directors to press the charges.
5.5.4 Ofcials' Authority and Post-Contest Ejections: When a student or coach commits an offense worthy of ejection and
disqualication against an ofcial following the conclusion of the contest, but before the ofcials have left the facility and/or
grounds, an ofcial may disqualify the student or coach as though it had occurred during the contest. A coach or student who
receives a post-contest disqualication shall be withheld from competition according to the policies of MSHSAA Handbook
Board Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct. This does not apply to a situation when an ofcial from an earlier contest remains
at the facility as a spectator and encounters an offense by a student or coach at that later time.
SECTION 5
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 117
Conduct Questions & Answers
Q1: We had an underclassman player ejected from our last football contest this season. a) How should I address
withholding him for a contest next season? b) If we are participating in a preseason jamboree, does that come into
play?
A1: MSHSAA By-Law 5.5.1 requires an ejected athlete/coach to be withheld at a minimum the next contest at the same
level. a) Because the next contest is the following year, the school should withhold the athlete from the contest at
the level at which the athlete will be participating. Example: A freshman ejected from a freshmen contest should
not be withheld from a freshmen game the following season as he would not be participating at that level. He should
be withheld from either a JV or varsity contest (the school must determine the appropriate level). b) The preseason
interschool scrimmage is considered “practice” therefore it is not considered a contest and would not meet the criteria
of the by-Law. The student would need to be withheld from the rst interscholastic contest. The school could, however,
be more restrictive and withhold the player from the scrimmage should administration deem it advisable.
Q2: One of our wrestlers was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in our rst of two scheduled matches last night and we
have a tournament scheduled as our next event. What must we do to be in compliance with MSHSAA By-Law 5.5.1?
A2: Wrestling contests are scheduled as events. When you are ejected from an event, you are ineligible for the remainder
of that event and the next scheduled event. The wrestler was ineligible to compete the rest of last night’s event and
must be withheld from the next scheduled event, which in this situation is the entire upcoming tournament.
Q3: In last night’s volleyball match we had a player ejected during the rst set for using profanity. She was withheld from
further play in that match. Is it necessary for her to be withheld from the next match?
A3: Yes. By-Law 5.5.1 requires that an athlete who has been ejected shall be required to be withheld from the next contest
at that same level. In the sport of volleyball the entire match is considered as “the contest.” The athlete in this situation
is not eligible for the next contest.
Q4: One of our basketball players fouled out in last night’s contest. Is he required to sit out the next game as listed in By-
Law 5.5.1?
A4: No. By-Law 5.5.1 applies only if a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. This player was disqualied and not
ejected.
Q5: Our school had a boys basketball player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in our nal game of the season (a loss
in the district tournament). This player is a) a senior that plays no other sports in the spring, b) a senior who runs track
in the spring, or c) an underclassman who will play basketball next year and may or may not participate in a spring
sport. Under By-Law 5.5.1, what is the school’s responsibility in regards to withholding this individual from future
interscholastic contests?
A5: In situation (a), the school would be required to take other punitive action as this senior would not be participating
in further interscholastic contests. In situation (b), By-Law 5.5.1 would prohibit him from participating in the rst
interscholastic track and eld meet of the spring season. In situation (c), By-Law 5.5.1 would prohibit him from
participating in the rst interscholastic basketball contest next year at the level he will be participating. A coach ejected
for unsportsmanlike conduct in the nal game of the season would be prohibited from coaching and attending the rst
contest for that team the following year.
Q6: I have some questions regarding the Preseason Jamboree in Football. a) Is this event considered a “game” or a
“practice”? b) If a student or coach was ejected from the last game of the previous season, should we withhold the
student or coach from the jamboree or from the rst interscholastic game? c) If a transfer student’s transfer request has
not been approved, is he able to play in the jamboree? d) If we have a student or coach ejected from the jamboree,
will he need to sit out of an interscholastic game? e) If a student is academically ineligible for the fall semester, can he
play in the jamboree?
A6: See Question and Answer number two following By-Law 3.16.7, Preseason Jamboree.
Q7: I had a coach that was ejected from a contest last night. What procedures do I need to go through to make sure he is
eligible to coach at the earliest opportunity?
A7: When a coach is ejected, three things must take place before that coach is eligible to coach again at the same level. 1)
The school must provide an acceptable response to the online special report led by the contest ofcial regarding the
ejection, 2) the coach must be prohibited from coaching and attending the next contest for that sport at that same level,
and 3) the coach must satisfactorily complete the NFHS Online Sportsmanship course. Once all of these requirements
are met, the coach would be eligible to begin coaching again.
Q8: Last night in our football game, we had a player ejected. However, I believe the ejection was based on a misapplication
of the game rules. Early in the game, Player A was called for a personal foul for clipping. Later in the game, the same
player was called for a second personal foul for a block in the back. Neither foul involved unsportsmanlike conduct
nor a agrant act, as conrmed by the ofcials. However, the player was subsequently ejected. We believe Player A’s
ejection was erroneous due to a misapplication of the game rules. Can this ejection be appealed or protested? What
should our coach have done at the point of ejection during the game?
A8: An appeal or protest of a player ejection must occur at the site of the contest as noted in By-Law 5.5.1 and
MSHSAA Board Policy. What you have described is a misapplication of the game rules of football. Unless there is
Page 118 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
unsportsmanlike conduct or a agrant act by a player, two personal fouls should not have resulted in the ejection of the
player. Upon notication of the ejection, the head coach should have requested a review of the ejection by the referee.
If, after the review is complete, the coach still believes there has been a misapplication of a rule by the ofcials, the
coach may then le a verbal protest with the game ofcials, as described in the Board Policy for On-Site Protests.
This is the process, the time, and location that allows such a situation to be corrected, and the review/protest must be
presented immediately after the point of concern. This situation may not be corrected after the contest, nor may the
misapplication or ejection be appealed later (as per By-Law 5.5). Only misapplications of game rules may be protested;
judgment calls may not be protested. Coaches need to be ready to handle situations of concern such as this, and must
be very knowledgeable regarding the MSHSAA By-Laws, Board Policy and game rules in order to state their case to
the ofcials.
Q9: Our school had a game contract with another school. Prior to the game, due to scheduling conicts, the contract was
dissolved though a) mutual consent or b) buy-out. Will this count as a forfeit on our schedule or for seeding purposes
for districts?
A9: Neither a nor b would count as a forfeit. If a school refuses to play a willing, contracted opponent and does not meet
the provisions of the buy-out clause in the contract, then a forfeit would be the result.
Q10: We had a a) player or b) coach ejected from the junior varsity contest, which precedes the varsity contest tonight. Is he
eligible to a) play or b) coach in the varsity contest tonight before he has to sit out the next junior varsity game?
A10: By-Law 5.5 indicates that players and coaches must, after an ejection, sit out the next game at the same level;
therefore, that is the next junior varsity game. However, while the by-law does not mandate a school to withhold the
student or coach from the varsity game between the two JV games, it would be expected for the school to withhold
the student and coach from additional games on the same day as the ejection, and most likely from any games until
he fulfills the penalty by sitting out of the next JV game. The same procedures should be followed for ejections from a
varsity contest that precedes the junior varsity contest (such as in baseball).
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 119
SECTION 6:
REGISTERED
OFFICIALS
6.1 Engaging Athletic Officials
6.2 Athletic Officials Requirements
Page 120 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
6.1 ENGAGING ATHLETIC OFFICIALS
6.1.1 Contracting Procedures: Ofcials shall be agreed upon by both schools at least 30 days before each contest. The home
school shall engage the ofcials by a contract offered by the principal, superintendent, or athletic director delegated such
authority by the principal. Such contracts shall be binding upon both parties and in case of broken contract, the amount of the
guarantee shall be paid by the offending party to the offended party, except when a contract is broken because of reasons
beyond the control of either party or by mutual consent of both parties. Ofcials assigned through an ofcials’ association
shall not be permitted to ofciate unless approved by both schools in accord with this By-Law. The Board will not hear a
case involving a broken agreement between an ofcial and a school or between schools if no completed contract is involved.
A contract may be on the form provided by the MSHSAA ofce or in the form of a letter. The nal responsibility of making
certain that game ofcials are registered (in the applicable sport) rests with the host school. This responsibility cannot be
delegated to an ofcials association. Contracts shall be with the individual ofcial and not between the school and an ofcials’
organization.
6.1.2 Requirements for Use of Registered Ofcials: Schools shall be governed in contracting ofcials by the following
regulations:
a. MSHSAA registered ofcials shall be used for ALL interscholastic contests within the boundaries of Missouri and/or
hosted by a member school.
b. The number of ofcials required by the applicable NFHS sport rule code shall be used for all high school (9-12)
interscholastic contests within the boundaries of Missouri and/or hosted by a member school, except in those specic
contests listed below:
1. In the sport of volleyball, one ofcial may be used for sub-varsity contests.
6.1.3 Emergency Ofcial: In an emergency when a contracted ofcial fails to ofciate a scheduled game and the school has
insufcient opportunity to engage a registered ofcial, the school may use as an ofcial a person not registered with MSHSAA
provided the school remits to MSHSAA the required registration fee (plus any penalty the ofcial may owe if registered the
previous year) together with the name and address of the person and a request that he or she be sent the necessary test
and forms for registration. The person shall not be permitted to ofciate again until he or she has completed the registration
process. The school will be subject to a penalty for continuing to use a person who has not completed registration.
6.1.4 Ofcials' Authority and Post-Contest Ejections: When a student or coach commits an offense worthy of ejection and
disqualication against an ofcial following the conclusion of the contest, but before the ofcials have left the facility and/or
grounds, an ofcial may disqualify the student or coach as though it had occurred during the contest. A coach or student who
receives a post-contest disqualication shall be withheld from competition according to the policies of MSHSAA Handbook
Board Policy on Unsportsmanlike Conduct. This does not apply to a situation when an ofcial from an earlier contest remains
at the facility as a spectator and encounters an offense by a student or coach at that later time. (See also By-Law 5.5.5)
6.2 ATHLETIC OFFICIALS REQUIREMENTS
6.2.1 Athletic Ofcials Requirements: Eligibility to register as an athletic ofcial with MSHSAA and to ofciate interscholastic
athletic contests is a privilege to be attained by meeting the standards cooperatively set by member schools through this
Association and the policies adopted by the Board of Directors.
6.2.2 Eligibility to Ofciate: Persons must meet the following standards to be eligible to register and/or maintain their registration
with the MSHSAA ofce to ofciate interscholastic athletic contests:
a. An ofcial shall be a creditable citizen. The ofcial’s conduct on and off the eld shall be of such manner as to be a worthy
example for the participants.
b. An ofcial shall comply with all standards and regulations pertaining to ofcials in the MSHSAA By-Laws and the policies
adopted by the Board of Directors.
6.2.3 Registration Requirements: Ofcials shall be required to register annually. The registration year shall be from July 1 to
June 30. Completed registration is acknowledged by a registration card issued by the MSHSAA ofce.
6.2.4 Renewal Deadlines: The deadlines for renewal of an ofcial’s registration shall be published in the Ofcials Manual each
year. Ofcials renewing their registration after the deadline date shall pay a late penalty as established by the Board of
Directors. A person applying for registration for the rst time may do so without paying the late registration penalty. Except
as is provided for in By-Law 6.1.3, ofcials shall not be allowed to register after dates published in the Ofcials Manual each
year.
6.2.5 Failure to Renew Registration: Any person previously registered who ofciates a contest in violation of By-Laws 6.2.3 and
6.2.4 by not being currently registered may be barred from ofciating for the rest of that year and the following year. However,
the Board of Directors is authorized to substitute a ne when a violation is considered inadvertent. If a person ofciates a
contest in violation of this rule, he or she shall be permitted to register under the emergency policy in By-Law 6.1.3. If such
person does not complete his or her registration, he or she shall be barred for one complete year. Each ofcial shall give the
contest manager or host school the number on his or her ofcial’s card before the beginning of the contest he or she is to
ofciate.
SECTION 6
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 121
6.2.6 High School Student Ofcial: High school students may register with MSHSAA to ofciate junior high school contests but
may not ofciate senior high school games.
6.2.7 College Ofciating Courses: Persons successfully completing a MSHSAA approved college sports ofciating course may
be issued a student ofcial permit (in the sport or sports included in the course) by the course instructor. The student ofcial
may ofciate interscholastic contests in the sport(s) concerned below the senior high school rst team level for the remainder
of that school year provided: (1) he/she works with a registered ofcial and (2) compensation received as a student ofcial
shall be limited to expenses only.
6.2.8 Authority of Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall have the authority to suspend or to bar an ofcial who has
violated any standard of MSHSAA.
6.2.9 Appeal Procedures for Ofcials: If reports are received by the MSHSAA ofce that an ofcial or prospective ofcial who
is applying for registration has violated one of these standards, he or she will be informed of this in writing by the MSHSAA
ofce. The ofcial will be given the opportunity to present facts to the Executive Director in writing in response to the charges
or will be granted a hearing if requested. Based on the information received, the Executive Director may then give an
opinion whether or not the ofcial shall be permitted to register or continue as a registered ofcial. The ofcial may appeal
the Executive Director’s opinion to the Board of Directors at a hearing and review of his or her case at the rst regularly
scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. (See also Board Policy on Ofcials Eligibility.)
Ofcials Questions & Answers
Q1: Our school’s head baseball coach was attempting to complete the required information regarding our ofcials after last
night’s game and the name and number of the ofcial are not showing up on the MSHSAA website. What should we
do?
A1: The Athletic Director should rst check to see if the ofcial is registered, using the “nd an ofcial” feature on the
MSHSAA website. If the ofcial is not registered then you should contact the MSHSAA ofce immediately. MSHSAA
By-Law 6.1.2 states that MSHSAA registered ofcials shall be used for all interscholastic contests hosted by a
member school (6-12). If the ofcial appears to be registered for the current school year, make sure the ofcial’s ID
is correct and the name is spelled correctly on the submission page. If you believe you are having a technical issue,
please contact the MSHSAA ofce.
Q2: We are traveling out of state to play a contest. What should our expectations be in regard to the use of registered
sports ofcials? Do we have any requirements under the MSHSAA by-laws?
A2: The MSHSAA by-laws require registered MSHSAA ofcials for contests held within the borders of Missouri or contests
hosted by a MSHSAA member. When you travel out of state, you should complete a game contract with the host
school and any expectations you have for registered and knowledgeable ofcials should be discussed and ultimately
included in the game. If the sport is an “emerging” sport in Missouri, it may have a status of “club”, “emerging” or “fully
interscholastic” in the host state and this may affect the availability of ofcials registered by that state’s high school
activities association. You may contact the host state’s high school activities association to nd out more; contact
information for all state associations may be found on the NFHS’s website (www.nfhs.org).
Page 122 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
POLICIES
Administrative Penalties for Rule Violations Officials Eligibility
Advisory Committees Officials Memorial Insignia
Alcohol and Tobacco Usage Around Interscholastic Activities On-Site Protests
Basketball Performing Groups Open Facilities
Broadcasting for Regular Season Preseason Jamborees - Team Sports
Charity/Awareness Events Professional Teacher’s Certificate
Communication - Electronic and Hard-Copy Public Criticism - Sports and Activities
Cooperative Sponsorship Enrollment Maximums Record Retention
Delinquent Submissions of Required Data Reported Violations
Drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and Unmanned Spectators at Events
Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sport Camp Fees
Enrollment, Classification, Championship Factor, and Districts Sports Medicine Topics
Halftime Shootouts and Sport Skill Contests Ties in Football Contests
Hazing and Harassment Transfers - Magnet Schools and St. Louis VICC
Heat Acclimatization Guidelines - Marching Band Unclaimed Checks
Heat Acclimatization Guidelines - Spirit Activities Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Inclusion and Accommodations
Internet Message Boards / Social Media Posts
National Anthem at MSHSAA Sponsored Events
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 123
BOARD POLICIES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICIES
BOARD POLICY ON ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES FOR RULE VIOLATIONS
Article IV, Section 6-h of the MSHSAA Constitution authorizes the Board of Directors to assess penalties for violations of any of the
provisions of the Constitution and By-Laws. It provides that the maximum penalty for any one offense shall not exceed one year’s
suspension from the Association. In order to provide consistency in the administration of penalties and to provide a clear denition of
the penalties, the following guidelines have been adopted by the Board of Directors.
1. Reprimand or Censure: Usually directed toward an individual who has been negligent in carrying out responsibilities expected
of him or her. A reprimand places the individual(s) on notice the shortcoming is expected to be corrected.
2. Forfeiture: To forfeit is to give up something because of error, mistake or rule violation through intent, neglect or oversight.
Forfeiture always takes away a win and denotes a loss as a forfeiture. Forfeiture may be used in conjunction with other penalties.
3. Fine: This is a monetary dollar amount assessed the school for a by-law or policy violation.
4. Warning: A warning is notication in advance that a member school is in danger of additional penalties. Action of a warning will:
(a) Become a matter of record and is published in the Association Journal. (b) Indicates that a like or similar violation within a
school year could be basis for probation and/or withholding of playoff privileges. This places a school on notice.
5. Probation: Probation is a testing or trial period for a school or team. Probation is tantamount to a larger penalty should the
conditions of the probation not be carried out in good faith and with due respect to all concerned. (a) The action becomes a
matter of record and is published in the Association Journal. (b) This condition may carry one or more requirements for action and
reports. (c) This condition may be used in conjunction with other penalties including, but not limited to: (1) Prohibition from hosting
one or more MSHSAA tournaments for one or more years. (2) Prohibition from MSHSAA tournament revenue sharing, if any, for
one or more years. (3) Prohibition from reimbursement of expenses for participation in one or more MSHSAA tournaments for
one or more years. (4) Prohibition from participation in one or more MSHSAA tournaments for one or more years.
6. Suspension: Suspension from the Association not to exceed 365 calendar days. A school or school team may be suspended
from all interscholastic participation as well as district or state activity in one or more activities. This action bans or stops a school
program for good reason, i.e., a serious agrant violation of the by-laws. (Article IV)
BOARD POLICY ON ADVISORY COMMITTEES
1. Coaches Association: The president of the statewide coaches/directors association (if one exists) shall be an ex-ofcio, non-
voting member of each corresponding advisory committee provided that person is an active high school coach/director. If the
president is not an active high school coach/director, an active high school coach/director shall be appointed to serve in this
capacity by the president of the association.
2. Term: Advisory committee members shall be eligible to serve only one four-year term which shall coincide with the MSHSAA
Board of Directors four-year term for each district. Should an advisory committee appointment be vacated prior to the completion
of the four-year term, that vacancy shall be lled for the remainder of that term and that same person may be appointed for the
next four-year term. No committee member can serve two consecutive terms on an advisory committee but could be appointed
to serve alternating terms (4 years on, 4 years off, 4 years on, etc.). After having completed a term on an advisory committee, an
individual shall not be eligible to serve again on that specic committee until four years have passed. At the Board's discretion,
an individual may serve on up to two different MSHSAA committees concurrently. (Revised 2024)
BOARD POLICY ON ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO USAGE AROUND INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES
Administrators, Coaches and Ofcials: It is important that all adults involved in the interscholastic activities program set the
proper example for our participants with regards to the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. We cannot let actions
teach a philosophy of double-standards. Therefore, the Board of Directors has adopted the following policy statement to apply to
all interscholastic sports and activities. Administrators, coaches, directors, sponsors, and contest ofcials are prohibited from using
tobacco products or alcoholic beverages while directly involved in interscholastic activities. Involvement is dened in this policy
as being in public view and when students are actually participating under the jurisdiction of the administrator, coach, director, and
ofcial. Proper enforcement is expected. Violations shall be reported to the school’s administration and the MSHSAA.
Participants: Use of any tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substance (other than prescription) by any participant while at a MSHSAA
event on any event building/grounds is prohibited. Violation shall result in disqualication from the event. (Revised 2024)
BOARD POLICY ON BASKETBALL PERFORMING GROUPS
At the discretion of the district tournament committee, pep bands, dance teams, etc. from participating schools may be invited to
perform for district basketball tournaments. Should the manager choose to do so, the following procedure shall be followed.
Page 124 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Bands--The district manager may invite, through the school principal, bands to perform for specic evenings of the tournament.
The band will perform at specied times which may include time-outs (except injury time-outs), half-time, and before and after each
game of the session. Bands may not come to perform only for the games in which their team plays. The participating band for the
evening must remain neutral for their performance. The purpose of their performance is to provide entertainment and not to provide
a competitive advantage for any team.
Dance Teams, etc.--The district manager may also invite, through the school principal, school performing groups to perform at
half-time of each game. If so, groups will be invited to perform for the half-time of the game in which their school is participating. If
both schools involved in the game have a group performing, each group will be allowed a maximum of 3 minutes (including entrance
to and exit from the oor) performance time. If only one school accepts the invitation to perform, that group will be allowed up to 6
minutes performance time (including entry to and exit from the oor).
Admission: Admission for bands and performing groups shall be free for actual participants and directors/sponsors for the
evenings that they perform as supplied on a written list submitted by the school principal to the event manager. If the district
manager does not invite performing groups and bands, schools may not contact the manager and request permission to bring a
performing group and/or band. If the manager does not invite all schools involved in the tournament, there shall be no performing
groups and/or bands at the tournament (including groups from the host site). Due to the fact that many of the regional, sectional and
quarternal games are played at college or university facilities, bands and other performing groups will not be allowed to perform
at these games. The logistical problems involved would preclude this from being a possibility. Performing groups and bands will
perform at the nal site (semi-nals and nals) and these groups will be selected by the MSHSAA staff. The groups at the nal site
will be neutral (not from a school whose team is participating in their assigned game[s]).
BOARD POLICY ON BROADCASTING FOR REGULAR SEASON
For regular season competitions, the content of the contest belongs to both schools involved. In all regular season high school
competitions involving MSHSAA member schools the visiting team shall have the same broadcast rights to provide a radio
broadcast, a video broadcast and/or provide telegraphic play-by-play accounts as the home team as long as the visiting team
has either 1) a valid agreement between a media organization and the visiting school's board of education to provide an audio or
video broadcast and/or provide telegraphic play-by-play accounts of the contest or 2) the visiting team has a curricular program for
students that typically provides streaming for the team's games. The host school may establish a per game video rights fee for any
home or visiting outlet wishing to provide a video broadcast of a contest the school is hosting. If charged, the fee should be the
same amount for all entities. (2022)
BOARD POLICY ON CHARITY/AWARENESS EVENTS
The MSHSAA Board of Directors has adopted the following policy regarding events that support a charity or raise awareness
of a particular cause. Each school may host only one such event per sport, per season. This does not prohibit a school from
participating in more than one such event per season. There are many different types of charity or awareness events schools have
requested to host. For example, cancer, autism, asthma, blood or organ donor, etc. Listed below, by sport, are the ONLY rule
modications allowed when hosting or participating in such an event.
Contest Ofcials
• May use the appropriate colored whistle and lanyard used to represent the charity or cause if all ofcials working the contest
have this color of whistles and lanyard, otherwise all ofcials must follow the sport specic NFHS rules regarding ofcial uniform
and equipment.
Basketball
• Player uniforms must meet specications outlined in rule 3-4 of the NFHS Basketball Rules Book.
• No deviation in the color of the basketballs or nets may be used. NFHS Basketball Rules 1-12 Arts. 1-a ball must be an orange
shade or natural color including the NFHS Authenticating Mark.
• Headbands, wristbands and shoe laces may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must follow NFHS
Basketball Rules 3-5 Art. 4 specications.
Baseball
• The ball must be white.
• The uniforms, socks, shoelaces, undershirts and caps may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause and must
meet the specications of rule 1-4 of the NFHS Baseball Rules Book.
Cross Country
• Competitor’s uniform must meet specications outlined in rule 4-3 of the NFHS Track and Field and Cross Country Rule Book.
• Socks and shoe laces may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause.
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 125
BOARD POLICIES
Football
• A sticker may be placed on the helmet used to symbolize a particular charity or cause.
• Colored socks, shoe laces and mouth pieces symbolizing a particular charity or cause may be worn. A wristband symbolizing a
particular charity or cause may be worn if it meets the specications outlined in rule 1-5 of the NFHS Football Rules Book.
• Jersey’s shall be approved by the MSHSAA ofce and shall meet the specications outlined in rule 1-5 of the NFHS Football
Rules Book.
• No deviation in the color of the footballs is allowed and must follow rule 1-3-1 of the NFHS Football Rules Book.
Golf
• There are no restrictions on uniforms.
• Golf balls may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause, but must be on the USGA Conforming Golf Ball List.
Soccer
• Player uniforms and socks may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must meet specications
outlined in rule 4-1 of the NFHS Soccer Rule Book.
• A colored soccer ball representing a particular charity or cause may be used. The game ball must meet the criteria stated in
rule 2-2 of the NFHS Soccer Rule Book.
• Headbands, wristbands and shoe laces may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must follow NFHS
Soccer Rules 4-3 Art. 3 specications.
Softball
• The game ball must be Optic Yellow as stated in rule 1-3-1 of the NFHS Softball Rules Book.
• Player uniforms may be the color used to represent a particular charity or cause but must meet the specications outlined in
rule 3-2 of the NFHS Softball Rules Book.
• Socks, shoe laces, headwear (caps, visors, headbands, ribbons, etc.) may be the color used to represent a particular charity or
cause but must meet the restrictions in rule 3-2 of the NFHS Softball Rules Book.
Swimming and Diving
• Facilities and equipment must meet the requirements in Rules 2 and 9 of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book, and
neither may be altered unless alteration is allowed within the applicable rule(s).
• Uniforms must meet the specications outlined in Rule 3-3 of the NFHS Swimming and Diving Rules Book.
Track and Field
• Competitor’s uniform must meet specications outlined in rule 4-3 of the NFHS Track and Field Rule Book.
• Colored socks and shoe laces used to represent a particular charity or cause may be used.
Tennis
• Player uniforms must meet specications as outlined in Section 1-G of the MSHSAA Tennis Manual.
• The game ball must meet the criteria as stated in Part 3 of the USTA Regulations (I.-F).
Volleyball
• Player uniforms must meet specications outlined in rule 4-2 of the NFHS Volleyball Rules Book including the libero player if
one is being used.
• The game ball must meet the criteria stated in rule 3-2 of the NFHS Volleyball Rules Book; including the NFHS Authenticating
Mark.
• Team members and players as dened in rule 6-1 and 6-2 of the NFHS Volleyball Rules Book may sit in the team bench area.
Wrestling
• Player uniforms must meet the specications as outlined in rule 4-1-2 of the NFHS Rule Book. Parts of the uniform would
include singlet, headgear and wrestling shoes. (Revised June 2020)
BOARD POLICY ON COMMUNICATION - ELECTRONIC AND HARD-COPY
The Board of Directors has approved the following policy regarding communication with the membership. The Annual Questionnaire
and the Annual Ballot will be available for completion by schools on the MSHSAA Online Membership System in an electronic
format. The Annual Ballot Proposal Background Information will be provided to member school principals and superintendents and
will also be available on the MSHSAA Online Membership System. All surveys (both electronic and hard-copy), unless otherwise
specied, shall be forwarded to the school principal/superintendent. Rule book mailings for the fall, winter and spring shall be
shipped UPS to the athletic administrator. Various email communications may be forwarded to either the athletic administrator, the
principal/superintendent or in some cases, sport coaches/activity directors, depending upon the topic. Please advise your staff of
this MSHSAA policy. (Revised June 2023)
Page 126 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
BOARD POLICY ON COOPERATIVE SPONSORSHIP ENROLLMENT MAXIMUMS
This policy connects with By-Law 1.4, High School Cooperative Sponsorships, and serves to state the enrollment maximums adopted
annually by the Board of Directors for cooperative sponsorships. Sport/activity classication shall be based on the combined ofcial
enrollments of all schools involved in the co-op. If the combined enrollments of the schools applying exceed the maximum for the
sport or activity, the application will be denied. The two-school co-op enrollment maximum for all sports other than 8-man football
(which has a single-school enrollment maximum of 150) represents eighty percent of the enrollment of the largest member school
during the year prior.
Sport Combined Enrollment
Maximum
8-man Football: 150
ANY cooperative sponsorship involving THREE schools:
Note: Only the following sports may utilize three schools for co-ops:
Football, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey
150
Two schools co-oping in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football,
Golf, Music, Scholar Bowl, Soccer, Softball, Speech/Debate/Theatre, Spirit,
Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball (Girls), Wrestling
1439
Two schools co-oping in Emerging Sports and Emerging Activities No cap
BOARD POLICY ON DELINQUENT SUBMISSION OF REQUIRED DATA
Coaches and Directors Roster on MSHSAA Website: The school administrator shall submit the required information on all
staff members associated with each sport/activity on the MSHSAA Website (www.mshsaa.org) no later than the day prior to the
first permissible contest for that sport/activity. This submission includes athletic and activities coaches, directors, and sponsors,
and includes head coaches, assistant coaches, provisional coaches, and student teacher coaches. Besides sports, this policy is
applicable to music, scholar bowl, spirit, and speech, debate, and theatre. Failure of a school to submit information on coaches/
directors/sponsors by the established deadline shall result in a fine established by the Board of Directors.
MSHSAA Publications and Championship Programs and Team Cards: MSHSAA strives to publish errorless Championship
materials for all of its events. Since a majority of the information contained in Championship publications is submitted by coaches
of qualifying schools, it is imperative that the MSHSAA office receive correctly-spelled names, accurate grade levels and complete
records, results and statistics of participants and teams from the coaches. The MSHSAA Board of Directors has approved a fine
process for all late, incomplete or illegible submissions for MSHSAA Championship publications. Schools that do not submit their
information to MSHSAA in a timely, legible, complete and accurate manner will be fined $25 per offense. In activities that require
the electronic submission of publication information, faxed or mailed copies will not be accepted. Data must be submitted by the
appropriate due date in the format and style detailed in the instructions. Coaches should contact MSHSAA with any questions.
Music Adjudicator Evaluations: Each school music director submitting entries to the MSHSAA Music Festivals shall submit the
required adjudicators’ evaluations by the established deadline.
• Solo and Small Ensemble Festivals prior to entering events in the state solo and small ensemble festival.
• Large Group, State Solo and Small Ensemble Festivals and all non-state solo/small ensemble events by May 15.
Each school music director(s) that fail to submit the required adjudicator evaluation(s) by the established deadline shall be issued a
$25.00 late penalty fee and sent a reminder letter to the principal, giving the school until May 30. Each school music director(s) that
fail to submit the required adjudicators evaluations by the extended deadline shall be placed on probation by the MSHSAA Board of
Directors and assessed an additional penalty fee of $100.00 ($125.00 total fine). A certified letter shall be sent to the superintendent
indicating the consequence if the evaluations are not submitted for a second consecutive year and that probation is automatically
extended for one year. If a school music director(s) does not submit the required adjudicator evaluations for a second consecutive
year by the established deadline, the MSHSAA shall send a reminder letter to the principal indicating the school has been assessed a
$25.00 late penalty fee and the school has until the extended deadline to complete the evaluations. If the MSHSAA does not receive
the required adjudicator evaluations by the extended deadline the school will have probation extended and be assessed an additional
penalty of $200.00 by the MSHSAA Board of Directors and the school administrator and person responsible for not submitting the
required adjudicator evaluation(s) shall appear before the MSHSAA Board of Directors to show cause why the school should not be
considered to be suspended from the district and state music festivals.
Athletic and Activity Eligibility Rosters: By-Law 3.4 establishes a Board Policy to determine the submission dates for athletic and
activity eligibility rosters. The window for submitting an eligibility roster for all activities and junior high athletics will open with the
first allowable fall practice date and will remain open throughout the year. The junior high athletics eligibility rosters are due one day
before the first contest for the team. High school athletic eligibility rosters will be due one day prior to the first allowable contest for
that sport. The windows will be open to allow submission to coincide with the first allowable day of practice. Winter sports will have
to recertify by the fourth day of the second semester that all students are eligible to participate. The chart to follow provides the dates
for submissions:
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 127
BOARD POLICIES
HIGH SCHOOL
ACTIVITY
SUBMISSION OPENS ROSTERS DUE RE-CERTIFY
FALL SPORTS:
Baseball August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Cross Country August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Football August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Golf (Girls) August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Soccer (Boys) August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Softball (Girls) August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Swimming/Diving (Boys) August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Tennis (Girls) August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
Volleyball (Girls) August 12, 2024 August 29, 2024 Not Applicable
WINTER SPORTS:
Basketball November 4, 2024 November 21, 2024 Fourth day of second semester
Swimming/Diving (Girls) November 11, 2024 November 23, 2023 Fourth day of second semester
Wrestling November 4, 2024 November 21, 2024 Fourth day of second semester
SPRING SPORTS:
Baseball March 3, 2025 March 20, 2025 Not Applicable
Golf (Boys) March 3, 2025 March 20, 2025 Not Applicable
Soccer (Girls) March 3, 2025 March 20, 2025 Not Applicable
Softball (Girls) March 3, 2025 March 20, 2025 Not Applicable
Tennis (Boys) March 3, 2025 March 20, 2025 Not Applicable
Track and Field March 3, 2025 March 20, 2025 Not Applicable
ACTIVITIES:
Music July 20, 2024 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester
Speech/Debate/Theatre July 20, 2024 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester
Scholar Bowl July 20, 2024 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester
Spirit (Cheer/Dance Teams) July 20, 2024 Prior to 1st Event Fourth day of second semester
(By-Law 3.4) (Revised 2023)
BOARD POLICY ON DRONES, UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES, AND UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, is prohibited at any
MSHSAA postseason contest site and/or venue. This prohibition applies to all fields of play, courts, arenas, mats, pools, etc. and
includes a ban on the entire facility being used as part of a MSHSAA postseason contest and/or event. For purposes of this policy,
a UAV or UAS is any aircraft without a human pilot aboard the device. The acting management of any postseason contests and/
or events on behalf of the MSHSAA shall refuse admission or entry to anyone in possession of or attempting to use a UAV or UAS.
If necessary, tournament management shall remove anyone attempting to use a UAV/UAS and/or confiscate the UAV/UAS until the
event has concluded.
For regular season contests, it is highly recommended that local school administration develop school policy in regards to the use
of UAV’s or UAS’s at your school’s facilities. When developing these policies, schools are to be advised that there are a number of
NFHS Sport Rules that have restrictions in place on the use of electronic devices, permitted location(s) of electronic devices and
prohibited areas for electronic devices, fans, spectators, media, etc.
A request for an exception to this policy, in writing, may be made in specific cases for MSHSAA broadcast partners provided that
the contest site/venue/facility permits the presence of UAV’s/UAS’s for broadcast purposes under the direction of the MSHSAA
Communications Department. Any exceptions to this policy approved or granted by the MSHSAA Communications Department
must also meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules, policy guidance stipulations and/or classifications.
(2017)
Use of Drone Questions & Answers:
Q1: Our school has an individual in our community who owns and operates a drone that is capable of capturing aerial video
footage. This individual has met with our head football coach and offered to videotape our home football games using
the drone. Is it permissible to use a drone for videotaping athletic contests?
Page 128 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
A1: The use of drones is prohibited at any MSHSAA postseason contest site and/or venue. Drones may be permitted during
the regular season, but only under the conditions described below and only if allow by NFHS rules for the sport. For the
sport of football, NFHS Football rules state that there is a two yard restricted area surrounding the entire playing field.
This restricted area boundary is interpreted to extend vertically; therefore, a drone could not be used within the restricted
area or over the playing field. It would be a local school level decision as to whether the drone could be used “outside”
of this restricted area during a football game. It is recommended that the local school develop a policy regarding the
use of drones (a.k.a. UAV’s or UAS’s) which takes the NFHS sport rules regarding the use of electronic devices and the
permitted location(s) into consideration. Please contact the MSHSAA executive responsible for the particular sport for
assistance.
BOARD POLICY ON ENROLLMENT, CLASSIFICATION, CHAMPIONSHIP FACTOR, AND DISTRICTS
(Supplement to By-Law 5.1)
ENROLLMENT
Enrollment Declaration: Member school enrollment declaration takes place annually. As per By-Laws 5.1.6, member schools will
submit an electronic report of all students who are enrolled on the last Wednesday in March in grades 9-11 by name. Information
regarding the process and requirements will be sent to the membership in advance, and is available on the MSHSAA website. The
window to submit the report on the MSHSAA website is from April 1 to April 15. The report is DUE April 15.
Ofcial Enrollment of a New High School: The enrollment number for a new high school includes the number of district students
(not including grade 12) whose parents’ residences are located within the planned geographical attendance district for the new high
school and who will be attending the high school the year it opens, along with any non-resident students enrolled and approved
to attend. The enrollment number will correspond to the number of grades the school will have under its membership the year the
school opens but will not include grade 12. The enrollment number(s) for any previously existing high school(s) within the district that
is (are) governed by the same local Board of Education shall be reduced by the number of students reassigned to the new school
in its rst year. This total reduction in enrollment shall equal the enrollment of the new school in its rst year. For schools of choice
(private, charter, magnet, etc.) no corresponding enrollment reduction shall be made.
Expanding High Schools: The ofcial enrollment for schools that have joined MSHSAA with fewer than four high school grades
and are expanding will be addressed as follows. Enrollment declaration normally captures enrollment for grades 9, 10 and 11 in
the spring, and then those enrollments are used the following year for classication (when those students are in grades 10, 11 and
12). If a school does not have those grade levels at the time of enrollment declaration, but will have an additional grade level the
following year, enrollment will be expanded upward to accurately represent the school’s enrollment for classication purposes. The
average enrollment of the grades the school has in year one will be added as an additional grade in year two. Example: Public
School A has 300 ninth graders and 310 tenth graders in year one. For year two, they will have students in grades 9, 10 and 11.
The classication enrollment of School A will be 300+310+305 (average of grade 9 and 10) =915 to represent the three grades the
school has participating in year two. This procedure is also used for non-standard high schools, such as those that only have grades
10, 11 and 12 and therefore, only two classes of enrollment data.
Ofcial Enrollments for Co-Educational Activities: The enrollments of single-gender schools are not doubled for co-educational
activities (music, speech/debate/theatre, and scholar bowl). As per 5.1.5, the enrollments of single-gender schools are doubled for
sex-separated sports.
CLASSIFICATION
Classication: District and State Tournament procedures are covered in By-Law 5.1, including the collection of enrollment data and
the general procedures for classication. This information serves to further describe the procedures for classication breaks and
district assignment release.
Annual Schedule for Schools Reclassication: MSHSAA member schools are classied annually based on updated school
enrollment gures. The schools in each classication, or class, will compete against one another in MSHSAA-sponsored district and/
or state competition. The District and State Music Festivals are evaluative only. MSHSAA does not sponsor state championships in
“emerging sports/activities” (see By-Law 5.2) and there are no classications.
Determination of Classication Breaks Between Classes: The activities sponsored by MSHSAA are broken into classes based
on school enrollment. Once classes are established based on the classication procedures, the classication breaks are dened.
Classication breaks are the numerical enrollment lines which describe the enrollment span of a particular class, and are based on
the largest school’s enrollment in that class.
Classication Procedures:
1. Ofcial Enrollments Finalized and Registrations Reviewed: Enrollments declared and nalized; enrollments are combined
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 129
BOARD POLICIES
for the schools in Cooperative Sponsorships (sport/activity specic). For the sports of cross country and track & eld, determine
which gender has more registrations, and begin Step 2 with that gender. (See By-Law 5.1)
2. Break into Last Year’s Classes: In enrollment order, place the current year’s registered schools a) into the same number of
classes as the prior year, and b) into the same numbers per class as the prior year.
3. 2.0 Differential Review: Calculate the enrollment differential for each class by dividing the largest school’s enrollment by the
smallest school’s enrollment. Determine if the differential for each class, other than Class 1, is 2.0 or below (differentials from
2.01 to 2.04 will be rounded down to 2.0). If all classes above Class 1 have a differential of 2.0 or less, the number of classes
are nal (end of procedure, see Step 7). If any class’s differential (other than Class 1) is greater than 2.0, the number of
schools in the upper classes should be adjusted to see if, by moving schools down from a larger class into a smaller class, all
differentials can be made to meet the 2.0 limit. Moving up from Class 1, the class counts should either be equal to the number
in Class 1 or the count should decrease as the class number increases (preserving an equal or waterfall approach) AND all
differentials, other than Class 1, should be at 2.0 or below. If this is successful, the procedure ends; see Step 7.
4. Efforts to Stay Consistent: Attempts will be made to adjust the class lines and the numbers in the classes while maintaining
the 2.0 differential BEFORE adding a class. (See Classication Note 8.) If this is not possible, move to Step 5.
5. Add a Class: Increase the number of classes by one and place up to the applicable percentage of the total schools in the
sport/activity into Class 1. (See also Notes 1 and 2).
Number of Classes after adding a class
Now 2
classes
Now 3
classes
Now 4
classes
Now 5
classes
Now 6
classes
Max percentage of total to place in Class 1 70% 50% 30% 25% 20%
6. Percentage in Class 1 and Equally Divide the Rest: Equally distribute the remaining percentage of schools into the rest of
the classes above Class 1. Return to Step 3 and review the differentials. Repeat as needed until the number of classes is
nalized.
7. Ties: Enrollment ties across a class break will be ignored until after the Championship Factor has reclassied schools, due to
those changes solving most ties.
8. Championship Factor Review and Adjustments: Move to Championship Factor section below for this second step of the
classication process.
Classication Notes:
1. The maximum number of schools in a class for football is 64.
2. The maximum number of schools in a class for team sports is 128, and the minimum number of schools in a class for team
sports is 32.
3. 8-Man football: The total enrollment of participating schools or co-ops must be 150 or less (grades 9,10,11).
4. Music Classication: Music is evaluative rather than competitive and classications are set by the Board of Directors. The
activity of music places the largest 80 schools registered for districts in music in Class 5, the next largest 80 schools in Class 4,
then places the smallest 128 schools in Class 1 and the next smallest 128 schools in Class 2. The remaining schools comprise
Class 3. If there is an enrollment tie across a classication break, tied schools would be moved down into the lower class.
5. Girls Softball: MSHSAA shall sponsor two girls softball championship series, one to be held in the fall season and one to be
held in the spring season. Individual member schools may register for one championship series, not both. Schools registering
for fall regular season softball and the fall championship series may participate in the spring regular season for softball but
may not participate in the spring championship series. Schools registering for spring regular season softball and the spring
championship series may not participate in the fall regular season nor the fall championship series.
6. In regard to Step 3, if schools can be adjusted into classes in a way that all differentials above Class 1 are 2.0 or below, but the
number of schools per class represents a heartbeat (i.e. an upper class has more schools than the number in the class below it)
the board will consider delaying the addition of a class.
7. The Board of Directors will monitor the number of schools in each sport/activity as described in By-Law 5.1 and consider
additional or fewer classes as needed and as possible. While there are differences among sports/activities, an effort will be
made to keep similar numbers of schools in a similar number of classes. Maintaining registration of at least 96 schools in an
activity for a second year is required to expand beyond one class. Due to state facility contracts, dates needed for additional
competition, and other planning requirements, the Board will determine the timeline for class expansion or reductions; such
changes may not take place immediately.
8. The sport/activity Advisory Committees will have an opportunity to review the annual classications at their annual meetings
and provide feedback to the Board of Directors.
9. Basketball: Boys basketball and girls basketball are classied separately.
10. The sports of Girls and Boys Cross Country and Girls and Boys Track & Field are classied together (genders will be linked).
The dening gender for the classication breaks will be the gender with the highest number of registered schools as of
Thursday of Week #6 for Cross Country and as of Thursday of Week #35 for Track & Field. Registration changes after those
dates will not alter the dening gender for classication.
CHAMPIONSHIP FACTOR
Championship Factor: As outlined in By-Law 5.1.7, after classication is completed in a certain sport, MSIP-exempt schools that
achieve specied points based on advancement in the district and state series over the six years prior to the current school year in
the applicable (gender-specic) sport or competitive activity will be re-classied upward.
Page 130 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
1. Post-season points (points are not cumulative; school will receive the points for the highest nish only):
a. District Champion: 1 point
b. State 3rd/4th Place: 2 points
c. State 2nd Place: 3 points
d. State Champion: 4 points
2. Point Totals for Re-Classication:
a. 0 – 2 points: remain classied based on raw enrollment
b. 3 – 7 points: re-classied one class above where classied on raw enrollment
c. 8+ points: re-classied two classes above where classied on raw enrollment
3. Reclassication Points of Emphasis and Procedures:
a. Post-season Points are Sport-Specic and Gender-Specic: In all sex-separated sports offered to both genders the
post-season points of girls and boys teams of the same coed school (MSIP-exempt) will be calculated separately and teams
would be reclassied separately, as per the points achieved.
b. Equal Numbers Up and Down: For each MSIP-exempt school that is reclassied upward due to points achieved, a school
at the bottom of that class will drop down to the lower class to keep the numbers of schools in the class consistent, to the
extent possible (ties may affect this). (See also letters c-ii and d below)
c. Cross Country and Track & Field (Linked Genders): As per By-Law 5.1.8, in the sports of cross country and track & eld,
the girls and boys teams of coed schools are classied together initially.
i. Reclassication Upward - Genders not linked: Coed MSIP-exempt schools that are reclassied upward due to points
achieved will move up singularly - without the team of the other gender moving up with them. As a result, the girls and
boys teams of a MSIP-exempt school that is reclassied in only one gender would compete in different classes in that
sport.
ii. Schools Dropping Down – Genders Linked: Coed schools (of any type) with boys and girls both registered in cross
country and track & eld will drop down together if one gender is in a position to drop and as long as the other gender is
not in a position to be reclassied upward based on points (MSIP-Exempt). For example, if School A’s boys cross country
team drops down due to an MSIP-exempt school being reclassied upward, School A’s girls team will drop down as
well, even if no MSIP-exempt school is reclassied on the girls side, and even if they are not the smallest school in their
originally assigned class. In these two sports, this drop procedure will be connected to the gender with more registrations,
as conrmed in step 1 of the Championship Procedures, and drops will not be repeated for the gender with fewer
registrations (see also Classication Note 2).
iii. Order of Championship Factor Procedures in Linked-Gender Sports:
• First, MSIP-exempt Schools for the gender with more registrations are reclassied upward.
• Second, MSIP-exempt Schools for the gender with fewer registrations are reclassied upward.
• Third, a number of schools equal to the number that was reclassied upward in the rst step are dropped down for the
gender with more registrations, and the opposite-gender-team of any coed school that is moved down will be linked
and move down as well (see d-ii above). This required process may nullify an original enrollment break, the number of
schools originally assigned to a class, and/or the "waterfall" look of the classes in a sport/activity.
d. Enrollment Ties: After MSIP-exempt schools are reclassied upward based on points, and schools are moved down to
rell class totals, ties will be detected. Any ties across enrollment breaks will be moved down (except in the sport of football:
ties will be broken using prior year’s enrollments if a class is full at 64). Ultimately, ties may spoil the “waterfall” look of the
classes.
e. Cooperative Sponsorships: Any co-op that includes an MSIP-exempt school is subject to the championship factor and
the accumulation of points for post-season advancement. As a co-op, the points for each school are held together, and the
co-op may move up or down in classication based on total points, as described above. MSIP-exempt schools carry their
own points into a new co-op. Each school within a coop (including a public school) will carry a percentage of the points
earned during the co-op when the co-op disbands (50% each for a two-school co-op; 33% each for a three-school co-op).
For new co-ops of only MSIP-exempt schools, prior points (like enrollments) will be added together to determine points for the
co-op. Forming or disbanding a coop will not eliminate points or protect from re-classication based on earned points.
DISTRICTS
Criteria for District Assignments: The criteria utilized for the assignment of schools to districts are 1) geographic proximity and 2)
approximate numerical balance. If a school perceives that a mistake has been made in its district assignment (the school’s location
has been inaccurately located on the map for the activity) and reports it to the MSHSAA ofce within seven days of the district
assignment release date, the MSHSAA staff shall consider the reported information and make changes to district assignments as
it deems appropriate. After the seven-day period, only the MSHSAA Board of Directors shall consider and make changes in district
assignments. The protection of district competition (having at least two schools in each district) is prioritized over geographic
proximity.
Number of Districts: For team sports, the number of districts allotted shall be determined by the total number of schools assigned
into a classication upon release. The following numbers will be used as benchmarks: For any classication with 40 or fewer
schools, four districts will be used to distribute participating schools. For any classication with 41 to 80 schools, eight districts will
be used to distribute participating schools. For any classication with 81 or more schools, 16 districts may be used to distribute
participating schools. For individual sports, the number of districts will be determined by the Board of Directors.
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 131
BOARD POLICIES
District Assignment Release: Barring unusual circumstances, the MSHSAA ofce strives to release district assignments on
standardized release dates. These release dates have been established to balance two factors: 1) accuracy and 2) a desire for
the information by schools and the public. Schools want this information as early as possible, as it assists in scheduling contests
against district opponents and/or schools in the same class during the season. However, the earlier the classications and district
assignments are set and released, the less accurate they are due to schools registering for the activity and/or dropping the activity
after the information is released. Schools may not know if they have enough interested students to eld a team until after practice
begins. If they do not have enough interest, they drop the sport or activity. Because all of the classication systems are based on
the total number of schools registered for the activity, any changes in those numbers that occur after classes are set make the
classes imperfect. The later the classications and district assignments are released (allowing more drops and adds to take place in
advance), the more accurate they are.
District Registration and Drop Deadlines: Registration for a district assignment in a sport or activity (individual schools
and cooperative sponsorships) must be completed and nalized prior to the following deadlines in order to be placed into the
classication and district assignment process. Further, schools that have registered for a district assignment shall evaluate teams to
determine if participation numbers are adequate to continue to eld each team. Schools must notify the MSHSAA ofce in writing to
drop a district assignment prior to the following deadlines so classications and districts can be completed and released accurately.
Schools missing these deadlines and failing to notify the MSHSAA ofce to be removed from postseason will be subject to a ne.
See DATES TO REMEMBER on page 10 for the calendar dates of release:
Season or Activity: Deadline for Registration or Drop: District Assignment Release Date:
Fall Sports (except XC) Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 7 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 8
Cross Country Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 9 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 10
Speech/Debate Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 13 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 14
Basketball and Wrestling Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 19 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 20
Girls Swimming and Diving Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 20 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 21
Theatre Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 21 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 22
Music Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 21 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 22
Scholar Bowl Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 27 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 28
Spring Sports Thursday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 36 Friday of Standardized Calendar Week Number 37
(Revised 2024)
BOARD POLICY ON HALFTIME SHOOTOUTS AND SPORT SKILL CONTESTS
When a student is selected by chance to participate in a ‘carnival type’ contest involving a skill of a sport, he or she may receive
cash or merchandise awards as a result of that participation without jeopardizing his or her eligibility under the MSHSAA Amateur
and Awards Standards. An example of this would be where a student is selected to participate in a halftime promotion at a University
basketball game on the basis of a chance drawing of a number on a program which he/she purchased at the game. In cases where
such activities are scheduled and a student is required to enter for the purpose of competing for a cash or merchandise award, such
activity would come under the restrictions of the amateur and awards standard and a student would jeopardize his/her eligibility in
the sport concerned by competing for or accepting such awards. (By-Law 3.6)
BOARD POLICY ON HAZING AND HARASSMENT
It is the policy of the MSHSAA Board of Directors that hazing and harassment have no place in school-sponsored activity programs
and pose a signicant risk to the physical and mental welfare of students. Coaches, directors, sponsors and administrators must
take an active role in the prevention of all forms of hazing and harassment. Students directly or indirectly involved in hazing
incidents, on or off school grounds, could be considered ineligible by the school administration under the MSHSAA citizenship
standard, By-Law 2.2.
Hazing: Willful conduct directed at a student that is intended to physically or emotionally intimidate, punish, embarrass, humiliate,
ridicule, or place any student in a disconcerting position for the purpose of initiation, afliation, inclusion or membership in any team
or organization.
Harassment: Unwelcome conduct by a person that is sufciently serious, persistent or pervasive, so that it affects another person’s
ability to participate in or benet from the school program or activity by creating an intimidating, threatening or abusive environment.
BOARD POLICY ON HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION GUIDELINES – MARCHING BAND
Heat Acclimatization Period: For the health and safety of participants in marching band practices, it is recommended that member
schools develop and implement a Heat Acclimatization Schedule for marching band camps, practices and/or rehearsals that take
Page 132 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
place during the summer months when school is not in session or when your band program conducts its marching band camp in
preparation for the upcoming school year.
The goal of the Heat Acclimatization Period is to increase exercise heat tolerance and enhance the ability to practice/rehearse safely
and effectively in warm and hot conditions. It is recommended this period begin with the rst day of marching band practice or
rehearsal.
Heat Acclimatization Denitions: Some denitions of terms which may be helpful when developing a Heat Acclimatization system
are listed below.
a) A ‘day’ is dened as a calendar day (12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.)
b) Rest Period: A rest period is dened as the time between the end of one practice/rehearsal to the beginning of the next
practice/rehearsal, which should last no less than one hour. During this time, students should rest in a cool environment,
with no physically related marching band or conditioning-related activity permitted (e.g. outdoor rehearsals, or indoor
rehearsals in a non-air conditioned facility, with or without instruments). Examples of approved activities would include, but
not limited to; reviewing your band handbook, video, drill charts, etc.
c) Marching Band Practice: For purposes of Heat Acclimatization Guidelines a marching band practice/rehearsal is dened
as: Any attempt of a director at a given school to provide instruction in any phase of marching band to any member of the
marching band at that school or to have any part of the marching band engage in drills under the supervision of a director or
under the approval or direction of the director or marching band staff (paid or voluntary). Drills for eld shows, street/parade
marching, sectional rehearsals (with or without instruments/equipment), etc. should be considered practice and addressed
in the heat acclimatization schedule. Auxiliary groups to the marching band (twirlers, poms, ag corps/guard, etc.) should
be considered members of the marching band.
Suggested Limits within the Heat Acclimatization Period:
a) Practice Duration: Each outdoor or non-air conditioned practice/rehearsal should last no more than three hours. Warm-
up, stretching, and cool-down activities are included as part of the three-hour practice/rehearsal time. Regardless of
ambient temperature conditions, all conditioning and/or practice activities must be considered part of practice.
b) First Five Days: Only one practice should be held on each of the rst ve days of the Heat Acclimatization Period. Further,
one indoor practice/rehearsal could be held after a rest period of one or more hours.
c) Following Five Days: A maximum of two three hour practices/rehearsals with a minimum of one hour of rest should be
provided between the two practices/rehearsals.
d) Rest Day: If practice/rehearsal occurs on six consecutive days, participants should be provided one day of complete rest
(no conditioning, practices or rehearsals). (2015)
BOARD POLICY ON HEAT ACCLIMATIZATION GUIDELINES – SPIRIT ACTIVITIES
Heat Acclimatization Period: For the health and safety of participants in sideline cheer and dance team practices, it is
recommended that member schools develop and implement a Heat Acclimatization Schedule for camps, and/or practices that take
place during the summer months when school is not in session or when your spirit programs conducts its camps and/or practices in
preparation for the upcoming school year.
The goal of the Heat Acclimatization Period is to increase exercise heat tolerance and enhance the ability to practice safely and
effectively in warm and hot conditions. It is recommended this period begin with the rst day of your spirit team(s) practice.
Heat Acclimatization Denitions: Some denitions of terms which may be helpful when developing a Heat Acclimatization system
are listed below.
a) A ‘day’ is dened as a calendar day (12:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m.)
b) Rest Period: A rest period is dened as the time between the end of one practice to the beginning of the next practice,
which should last no less than one hour. During this time, students should rest in a cool environment, with no physical
or conditioning-related activity permitted (e.g. outdoor or indoor practices in a non-air conditioned facility). Examples of
approved activities would include, but not limited to; reviewing your spirit handbook, videos, planning spirit activities, etc.
c) Spirit Practice: For purposes of Heat Acclimatization Guidelines a spirit practice is dened as: Any attempt of a coach at
a given school to provide instruction in any phase of sideline cheer or dance to any member of the sideline cheer and/or
dance team at that school or to have any part of the spirit team(s) engage in practices under the supervision of a coach or
under the approval or direction of the coach or spirit coaching staff (paid or voluntary).
Suggested Limits within the Heat Acclimatization Period:
a) Practice Duration: Each outdoor or non-air conditioned practice should last no more than three hours. Warm-up,
stretching, and cool-down activities are included as part of the three-hour practice time. Regardless of ambient temperature
conditions, all conditioning and/or practice activities must be considered part of the practice.
b) First Five Days: Only one practice should be held on each of the rst ve days of the Heat Acclimatization Period. Further,
one indoor practice could be held after a rest period of one or more hours.
c) Rest Day: If practice occurs on six consecutive days, participants should be provided one day of complete rest (no
conditioning or practices). (2016)
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BOARD POLICIES
BOARD POLICY ON INCLUSION AND ACCOMMODATIONS
MSHSAA does not discriminate in its student programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin
or disability. MSHSAA will make reasonable modications to its student programs or activities to accommodate students with
disabilities covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, unless
requested modications or accommodations would be unreasonable as dened by law.
BOARD POLICY ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS / SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
The Missouri State High School Activities Association strongly encourages its coaches, administrators and ofcials to take an
active role in the prevention of unsportsmanlike materials on internet message boards and posted through social media. School
administrators should discourage student participants and coaches from posting objectionable or unsportsmanlike material on
internet websites; however communication of a positive nature is always encouraged. (2002; Revised 2013)
BOARD POLICY ON THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT MSHSAA SPONSORED EVENTS
The MSHSAA Board of Directors adopted, at its March 20, 1997 meeting, the following policy regarding the playing of the National
Anthem at MSHSAA sponsored events (district and state series): “The National Anthem shall be played before the rst MSHSAA
contest of the day and/or session at each site. If it is not possible to have the National Anthem played before the rst contest the
Anthem should not be performed later in the session.” (1997)
BOARD POLICY ON OFFICIALS ELIGIBILITY
Persons who apply to become a registered sports ofcial with MSHSAA, may not have engaged in any action which would violate
the credible citizen standard, which within the discretion of the MSHSAA Board of Directors, or their representative, gives rise to a
concern over the safety of minors or others involved in MSHSAA sponsored programs; indicates that the applicant cannot objectively
perform an ofcial’s duties; or otherwise is inconsistent with MSHSAA’s responsibilities to its member schools, the student
participants, or the parents of participants.
All ofcials who apply to become a registered MSHSAA ofcial must submit to a background check. Background checks will be
conducted on all ofcials prior to their completed registration and annually on all new ofcials. This background check will verify the
applicant’s social security number and address history, and screen their criminal conviction history.
1. Under the provisions of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.2.a., no person shall be eligible to register or maintain a registration to ofciate
interscholastic athletic contests who has pled guilty to or been found guilty of the following criminal offenses, whether or not
sentence was imposed:
(1) Any class A felony offense;
(2) Any dangerous felony as that term is dened in Section 556.061 RSMo;
(3) Any act of violence against a minor;
(4) Any offense that requires registration as a sex offender;
(5) Any felony offense where death is an element of the offense;
(6) Any felony offense of assault; or felony offense of domestic assault;
(7) Any felony offense of operating a motor vehicle or boat while intoxicated
when (a) another person was injured or killed, or (b) would dene the individual as a
“Chronic” or “Habitual” offender as described in Section 577.001 RSMo;
(8) Any felony or other criminal offense for which a Missouri Certicate to teach would be
withheld or revoked as described in Section 168.071.6 RSMo, paras. (1)-(4);
2. Any offenses described above shall result in the denial of registration, subject to the applicant’s right to appeal under MSHSAA
By-Law 6.2.9 for an opinion whether or not the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.2.a. and may
be permitted to register or continue as a registered ofcial.
3. Any other person seeking to register or maintain a registration to ofciate interscholastic athletic contests who has pled guilty
to or been found guilty of any other criminal offense, whether or not sentence was imposed, for which registration has been
withheld or denied may appeal to the Executive Director in writing under the provisions of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.9 for an opinion
whether or not the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of MSHSAA By-Law 6.2.2.a. and may be permitted to register or
continue as a registered ofcial.
4. Through the appeals procedures outlined above, and as per Article IV, Section 6-l of the MSHSAA Constitution, the Board
of Directors is authorized to determine the nal eligibility status of an individual seeking to become a registered ofcial with
MSHSAA. (Revised June 2023)
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BOARD POLICY ON OFFICIALS MEMORIAL INSIGNIA
An optional designed memorial patch is allowed on the ofcial’s shirt to honor a deceased ofcial under the following conditions:
1. Must be requested in writing to the MSHSAA ofce for approval with the design of the patch included,
2. The request shall list the sports to be included,
3. The patch, if worn, shall be placed on the right sleeve of the shirt below any other optional patches (American Flag) worn there,
4. The patch shall be sewn or attached by Velcro to the sleeve,
5. The patch may be worn for one school year during the regular season only in the sports approved, and
6. The size of the patch shall not exceed one and one-half inches in any dimension (diameter, width, or length).
The National Federation has conrmed that the placing of a memorial patch on the ofcial’s shirt would not violate any ofcials’
uniform regulations. (2003)
BOARD POLICY FOR ON-SITE PROTESTS
The Board of Directors adopted the following Policy in 1997 to address protests in athletic contests. It was later expanded to cover
the activities of Speech/Debate/Theatre (2000) and Scholar Bowl (2017). The Board acknowledges that mistakes are made by
ofcials, judges, and adjudicators (hereafter referred to generically as ofcials) in judgment and even sometimes in misapplication of
contest rules. However, the decisions rendered by ofcials at the contest site are to be nal and any further process other than the
one outlined below would not truly serve a useful purpose in the overall scope of high school activities.
1. Within the procedures established within each individual rule code (i.e. NFHS, MSHSAA, USTA, USGA, etc.), the head coach/
director must request a review of an ofcial’s application of a rule through appropriate channels.
2. If, after the review is complete, the head coach still believes there has been a misapplication of a rule by a contest ofcial(s),
the coach shall then le a formal verbal protest with the contest ofcials who will then notify the opposing head coach/director
immediately of the protest. No coach/director shall protest a decision of judgment.
3. Following this notication of protest, the head coach shall be allowed approximately ten minutes to use his/her Sport Rules
Book or Case Book, Scholar Bowl Rulebook, MSHSAA Rules Review Announcements and/or MSHSAA Sport or Activity
Manual to locate and show the ofcial(s) the appropriate rule reference which claries a misapplication of the rule. If the head
coach does not have personal copies of the above mentioned materials at the contest site or the specic rule reference(s) or
case book play(s) cannot be located within the maximum allowable ten minutes, the protest shall automatically be disallowed
and the contest shall continue from the point of interruption. If a rule reference(s) or case book play(s) is found that indicates
a misapplication of a rule has occurred, the ofcial’s decision shall be corrected at that time before any further action occurs,
and the contest shall be resumed from the point of interruption after the correction as provided in the contest rules. When
appropriate, the ofcials may assist the head coach in locating appropriate rule and case book references.
4. All protests shall be resolved at the contest site before any further contest action occurs. [Scholar Bowl: the contest may
continue while the protest is being reviewed; see game rules.] [Speech/Debate/Theatre: the jury of appeals will hear the
appeal; events other than the one affected by the protest may continue during the review.]
5. Protests that are not led in a timely manner as specied in that rule code or activity manual shall be automatically disallowed.
6. The MSHSAA Board of Directors and/or Staff shall not review contest protests.
7. Videotape/lm shall not be used for the purpose of protesting a contest.
APPLICATION OF PROTEST PROCEDURE
1. Introduction: Protests rarely occur and the protest policy is not intended to increase the frequency of protests. The policy is
intended to resolve the protest on site. For this to occur the following must take place:
a. Coaches and Ofcials must be professional with each other. This should be a non-confrontational conference.
b. As stated above, protests involve the application of rules only -- not judgment calls. (Examples of items which could
be protested: Football -- penalizing 5 yards instead of 15 yards; Wrestling -- allowing 1 minute for injury time instead of 2
minutes; Softball -- allowing only two charged defensive conferences instead of three.) (Examples of items that could not be
protested: Football -- pass interference; Wrestling -- stalling; Softball -- out or safe calls.)
c. GET IT RIGHT! If the ofcial has made a mistake; admit it, correct it and move on. Contest ofcials and the head coach
ling the ofcial protest shall notify the MSHSAA ofce in writing of any contest in which an ofcial protest has occurred and
the resolution of that protest. The MSHSAA Special Report online process shall be used for this purpose.
2. Process.
a. Once a head coach has led a formal verbal protest with the ofcials, they shall then notify the opposing head coach of
the protest and the playing eld, court, mat, classroom, etc. shall be cleared of all participants and they shall report to their
respective team bench or seating areas.
b. The head coach shall then be allowed approximately ten minutes to locate specic rule references from the materials and
resources listed above to substantiate the claim that a misapplication of a contest rule has occurred. The ofcials shall also
confer among themselves during the period to address the claim of the coach as to the potential rule misapplication.
c. If the head coach is able to produce rule evidence from the above mentioned sources to support the claim of a
misapplication of a rule, the ofcials shall correct the error as provided in the contest rules and the contest shall proceed
from the point of interruption. If the head coach cannot produce the evidence, the protest shall be disallowed and the
contest shall continue from the point of interruption. The previously mentioned materials must be immediately available for
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BOARD POLICIES
review at the playing eld sideline, court-side, mat-side etc. (Time shall not be provided to go to a locker room, team bus,
coach’s ofce, etc.)
d. Once the nal decision regarding the protest has been rendered, the ofcials shall provide the participants sufcient
opportunity to warm-up before the contest is resumed.
BOARD POLICY ON OPEN FACILITIES
School administrators may open the school's gymnasiums or other facilities designated for free play recreational activities without
being in violation of MSHSAA By-Laws pertaining to school sport seasons and non-school competition when conducted under the
following conditions.
Criteria for all open facilities:
1. A school may only “open” a facility that is owned by the school. Facilities that are non-owned, but rented by the school for
the interscholastic sport season, do not meet this criterion. Typically, students may access such facilities on their own without
school involvement (recreation facilities, parks, membership locations, etc.).
2. All “open facility” activities shall be posted or announced publicly, for example in the daily bulletin, school newspaper, etc. at
least two days prior to the activity. The “open facility” will be supervised from beginning to end by the school personnel who has
scheduled the activity with advanced approval from the appropriate school administrator.
3. A facility may be open for a single sport and be gender specic (i.e. girls volleyball). Schools should provide equal open facility
opportunities if being specic by gender to ensure comparable opportunities for both genders.
4. Attendance at an open facility shall not be mandatory for any student. All attendance must be voluntary. Attendance at an open
facility may not be related to team membership. Any effort either directly or indirectly to require a student to attend the open
facility is a school violation.
5. Only “free play” activity may take place. Organized scrimmages are not considered free play. No instruction, coaching or
corrections are allowed. Drills and organized plays or sets do not constitute free-play and are not allowed during an open
facility.
6. Supervision: Any member of the school staff, including a coach, may supervise an open facility; however, no instruction,
coaching or corrections are allowed.
7. The individual school administration assumes the responsibilities of making certain that there is full compliance to this policy.
The local school administrator(s) shall determine the appropriate activities for recreational free play and the school equipment
to be made available and their location. It is the responsibility of the school administration to be certain the activities and
equipment are safe and appropriate for the facility and for any student to participate in and use without special supervision and/
or training.
Open for Community: Facilities may be opened for NON-enrolled students at the local school's discretion during the academic
year or the summer during periods that do not conict with the interscholastic sport season or pre-scheduled use by the school.
Open for Enrolled Students:
1. HIGH SCHOOL: This information connects with By-Law 3.14.7, Out-of-Season Sport-Specic Practice Periods. During the
academic year, school facilities may be opened (as per criteria above) for enrolled students ONLY during the 7-week period
notated as "Open Facility" on Diagrams 3.14.7 (1 and 2) for the sport(s) of the season notated. Enrolled students may not
participate in open facilities during the weeks in between these periods (which are dead/no-contact periods as per By-Law
3.14.7.e).
H.S. SPORT: OPEN FACILITY PERIOD (AFTER THE SEASON): 7-WEEK PERIOD:
Fall Sports During the Winter (Period 2) Mon. of Wk. 27 to Fri. of Wk. 33
Winter Sports During the Spring (Period 3) Mon. of Wk. 39 to Fri. of Wk. 45
Spring Sports During the Fall (Period 1) Mon. of Wk. 10 to Fri. of Wk. 16
All Sports Summer Counts in 20 contact days
2. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL: Facilities may be opened for enrolled students at the local school's discretion during the academic
year during periods that do not conict with the interscholastic sport season or pre-scheduled use by the school. Summertime
open facilities are allowable, but shall count in a sport's contact days.
3. COMBINED MEMBER SCHOOLS (6-12): Only during the 7-week period allowed for the high school open facility may junior
and senior high enrolled students participate (free play) together in an open facility.
(Revised 2022)
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BOARD POLICY ON PRESEASON JAMBOREES - TEAM SPORTS
The following sport-specic terms and conditions are provided to complement By-Law 3.16.7, Preseason Jamborees – Team Sports.
By-Law 3.16.7 outlines the requirements for ALL preseason jamborees. Listed below are the sport-specic conditions. (Note: See
By-Law 3.16.7 regarding the number of teams that may be present at one jamboree site.)
Baseball:
a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply.
b. Additional game rule exceptions:
1. Free substituting.
2. Each half inning will end after three outs or eight runs, whichever comes rst.
3. Players are limited to two innings as a pitcher during the event.
c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, a maximum of four innings against each team with a
maximum of eight innings per school for the event will be allowed. When four schools participate, then a maximum of three
innings against each team and a maximum of nine innings for each school for the event will be allowed.
d. The fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your
rst contest.The spring preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and
before your rst contest.
e. See Baseball Manual for further information or recommendations.
Basketball:
a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply.
b. Additional game rule exceptions:
1. Personal fouls will not be tallied.
c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, each school will play three quarters of six minutes each
against each of the two other teams, for a maximum of six quarters and 36 total minutes. When four schools participate, each
school will play two quarters of six minutes each against each of the three other teams, for a maximum of six quarters and 36
total minutes.
d. A preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your rst
contest.
e. See Basketball Manual for further information or recommendations.
Football:
a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply.
b. Additional game rule exceptions:
1. No kicking game shall be permitted.
c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, a maximum of two quarters per team with a maximum of
eighteen (18) offensive plays per quarter shall be allowed. When four schools participate, a maximum of three quarters per
team with a maximum of twelve (12) offensive plays per quarter shall be allowed.
d. A preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your rst
contest.
e. See Football Manual for further information or recommendations.
Soccer:
a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply.
b. Additional game rule exceptions: None.
c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, each school will play one period of 35 minutes each against
each of the two other teams, for a maximum of two periods and 70 total minutes. When four schools participate, each school
will play one period of 25 minutes each against each of the three other teams, for a maximum of three periods and 75 total
minutes.
d. A fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your rst
contest. A spring preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before
your rst contest.
e. See Soccer Manual for further information or recommendations.
Softball:
a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply.
b. Additional game rule exceptions:
1. Free substituting.
2. Each half inning will end after three outs or ve runs, whichever comes rst.
c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When three schools participate, a maximum of four innings against each team with a
maximum of eight innings per school for the event will be allowed. When four schools participate, then a maximum of three
innings against each team and a maximum of nine innings for each school for the event will be allowed.
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BOARD POLICIES
d. A fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your rst
contest. A spring preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before
your rst contest.
e. See Softball Manual for further information or recommendations.
Volleyball:
a. All conditions listed in By-Law 3.16.7 would apply.
b. Additional game rule exceptions: None.
c. Three or Four-Team Format Only: When there are three schools participating, a maximum of six sets (three against each team
to 21 points) shall be allowed. When there are four schools participating, a maximum of nine sets (three against each team to
15 points) shall be allowed. Point caps are at the host's school discretion.
d. A fall preseason jamboree may be conducted after your team has completed nine conditioning practices and before your rst
contest.
e. See Volleyball Manual for further information or recommendations.
BOARD POLICY ON PROFESSIONAL TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE
A person who is issued a Lifetime or renewable Professional Teacher’s Certicate shall be considered as meeting the requirements
contained in By-Laws 3.1 and 4.1 for that person to be approved to serve as a coach or director. A professional certicate shall
continue to be considered valid under the terms of this By-Law even though it might subsequently expire due to the failure of the
person to meet the teaching experience or continuing education requirements of DESE or other State Departments of Education. A
person whose Teacher’s Certicate is revoked shall not be considered as holding a valid certicate and thus will not be eligible to be
approved to serve as a coach at a MSHSAA member school. (By-Laws 3.1 and 4.1)
BOARD POLICY ON PUBLIC CRITICISM - SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
Statement of Philosophy - The Missouri State High School Activities Association has established policies and standards which
will cultivate the ideals of good sportsmanship, professionalism and conduct. It shall be the responsibility of each member school
to ensure that all individuals directly associated with the interscholastic program conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and
professional manner.
The coach or director is a representative of the school at interscholastic activity events. It is the responsibility of all coaches and
directors to serve as role models for students and the public.
All coaches, directors, administrators and student participants are to refrain from negative criticism of MSHSAA member institutions,
ofcials, adjudicators, judges, etc. in public statements at or after interscholastic events. The appropriate public response to media
questions at all venues regarding ofciating/judging is “per MSHSAA policy, I am unable to comment.” Any other response is a
violation of this board policy and is subject to penalty.
Code of Ethics - A violation of the standards of professional conduct established by MSHSAA could include, but are not limited to:
a. Making degrading and/or critical remarks about ofcials or adjudicators or the ofciating or judging before, during or after an
event either on or off site, or through any public means.
b. Detaining the ofcials/adjudicators/judges during or following the event to request a ruling or explanation of actions or
evaluation by the ofcial(s)/adjudicator(s)/judges.
c. Entering the ofcials dressing area following the contest.
Actions and Response - Negative actions by an individual directly associated with the program shall be reported to the MSHSAA
ofce by the school and/or by the head contest ofcial, adjudicator, judge, or manager. The school shall document the results
of their investigation and actions taken, where necessary and appropriate. The MSHSAA Board of Directors will determine the
appropriate penalties for violation of this board policy.
Commentary - It is within each individual’s ability to treat others with dignity and respect. MSHSAA and its member schools expect
each individual to be responsible for their actions and statements.
BOARD POLICY ON RECORD RETENTION
The MSHSAA shall maintain accurate records of Association business. Ofcial records shall be maintained in the MSHSAA ofce
with the Executive Director to serve as the Custodian of Records according to the schedule set forth by the Board of Directors.
(2005)
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BOARD POLICY ON REPORTED VIOLATIONS
Self-Reported Violations versus a Report of an Alleged Violation:
1. Self-Reports: MSHSAA functions primarily through self-policing by the member schools of the association. Self-Reports are
a very normal practice and should be a regular procedure for our members. Schools that discover a violation of the MSHSAA
Rules/Policy (to include Constitution, By-Laws, Board Policies, Sport/Activity Manuals, Sport/Activity Rule Codes) shall self-
report the violation to the Executive Director, through the portal on the website. Four parts are to be included: a) description
of violation(s) with references to location of rule/policy, b) the circumstances that led to the violation, c) a description of the
disciplinary action taken by the member school and how future violations will be prevented through internal policies/procedures,
and d) identication of the proposed appropriate penalties for the identied violations and lack of institutional control, consistent
with MSHSAA policies and procedures.
2. Report of an Alleged Violation: If it is believed that a violation of the MSHSAA Rules/Policy has taken place and has not
been or will not be self-reported, an individual may report an alleged violation using the procedures outlined below.
Who may report an alleged violation of the MSHSAA Constitution, By-Laws or Board Policies?
1. Authorized personnel on behalf of a member school may report a violation in writing to the MSHSAA ofce pursuant to MSHSAA
By-Law 5.5.3.
2. Any individual may report a violation to the MSHSAA ofce. How reported violations are handled is dependent upon the way
the information is presented.
How must a report of an alleged violation be submitted?
1. Anonymous Calls to Report an Alleged Violation: The MSHSAA staff has no authority to act upon anonymous calls.
2. Anonymous Report of Alleged Violation in Writing: Anonymous letters and e-mails sent to MSHSAA documenting specic
violations of the MSHSAA Rules/Policy along with any evidence as proof shall be forwarded to the school administrator of the
school in question to review and consider. At that time, no further action will be taken by MSHSAA staff.
3. Signed Report of Alleged Violation - Utilize Report Form: The complaint must be submitted in writing, on paper or via email,
utilizing the report form within this policy, including the individual or school's name sufciently identied so that it may be veried
by the MSHSAA ofce. The report form must be submitted legibly, entirely, and must include supporting evidence or proof of
each alleged violation.
How are Signed Reports of Alleged violations handled?
Such reports are reviewed by the MSHSAA staff, as delegated by the Board, to determine if there is sufcient evidence of a possible
violation of the MSHSAA Rules/Policy. If the reported violation appears to be supported by sufciently credible information, the
staff will forward the report to the school that is allegedly in violation with specic requests and a timeline, and apprise the Board
of Directors. After review of feedback and action from the school in question, the Board may ultimately authorize further in-person
investigation of the reported violation pursuant to Article IV, Section 6-f of the MSHSAA Constitution, as necessary.
Will the school know who reported the Signed Reported Violation?
Yes. The school will be notied and provided a copy of the reported violation if it is determined the allegation is credible and
supported by evidence. This notication would include the identity of the individual or school reporting the violation.
Will the school be allowed to conduct its own investigation?
Yes, the school should conduct its own investigation. However, the school’s investigation will not supersede nor delay any
authorized investigation by MSHSAA. The school will be given an opportunity to provide information concerning the alleged
violation.
When will the school receive the opinion of the Executive Director on the report of violations?
If appropriate, the school will be the rst to investigate. After submitting the school's investigation, the Executive Director will
determine if additional information is necessary, and will request that information from the school and/or direct an additional
investigation by the MSHSAA staff. The school will have sufcient opportunity to present information. If other violations are
discovered during the investigative process, the school will be made aware of those violations and given an opportunity to respond.
After considering all the information, the Executive Director will issue an opinion on any violations.
What can the school do once the opinion of the Executive Director has been rendered?
If any interested party is aggrieved by an opinion of the Executive Director, then such party may appeal through the appeal
procedure established in By-Law 5.4 to the MSHSAA Appeal’s Committee. If any such party is aggrieved by a decision of the
Appeal’s Committee, then such party may appeal through the appeal procedure established in By-Law 5.4 to the MSHSAA Board of
Directors. (June 2024)
[REPORT FORM ON THE NEXT PAGE]
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 139
BOARD POLICIES
MSHSAA Board Policy on Reported Violations
REPORT FORM
This form serves as an addendum to the Board Policy on Reported Violations located in the MSHSAA
Ofcial Handbook. Any Individual may report a violation in writing to the MSHSAA ofce. Such reports must
rst be reviewed by the Board of Directors. If the reported violation appears to be supported by sufciently
credible information, the Board of Directors will authorize an ofcial investigation of the reported violation
pursuant to Article IV, Section 6-f of the MSHSAA Constitution. For Board consideration, all information
must be complete and accurate. Please type or print clearly.
Individual reporting the violation:
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip code:
Telephone number:
Email Address:
Briey explain your relationship with the school on which you are reporting:
School believed to be in violation: Jr. High High School
Describe, in as much detail and clarity as possible, the specic violation(s) you believe have taken
place, and by whom. For each violation, you must list the reference to the MSHSAA Rule/Policy
(Constitution, By-Law, Board Policy, Sport/Activity Manual, Sport Activity Rule Code). Please
include dates, times, names, locations, etc. to explain the circumstances clearly. If there is evidence
that supports the allegations, please attach a copy. If there are witnesses or other individuals that
can corroborate the information that is being presented, please include written statements from
those individuals. Include additional pages as necessary.
Signature of Individual Filing Report Date
Page 140 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
BOARD POLICY ON SPECTATORS AT EVENTS
Spectators/Fans Gathering at Sidelines: There have been instances where fans have been permitted to gather and stand along
the sidelines or end lines of playing elds and courts during athletic contests, and a number of instances have been reported in
which fans have approached the sidelines near the end of the game. Generally, this is for the purpose of rushing onto the eld
or court to express jubilation over winning. In other instances, fans have cast disparaging remarks toward opposing players and
ofcials. In either case, it creates a situation conducive to crowd control problems. Under these conditions, the Board of Directors
has adopted a policy authorizing and urging game ofcials to stop the game when this occurs, send the teams to the benches, and
request the host school administration (or tournament manager) to have the fans return to their seats or leave the gymnasium or
eld before play is continued. The game shall not continue until the fans comply. The primary responsibility for compliance with the
game ofcials request falls on the host school, or tournament manager, but the visiting school (both schools in a tournament) is
also responsible for seeing that their fans remain in their seats. All schools should take steps to educate their students and fans to
refrain from moving onto the court or playing eld following games. The practice of entering these areas following games does not
contribute anything toward the most worthwhile objectives of interscholastics and can contribute toward misconduct. In a related
note, tournament managers should suspend the sale of tickets and close the doors when necessary to prevent overcrowding of
gymnasiums.
Spectator/Fan Support Items and Restrictions: In the chart below, ONLY those items marked “Yes” will be allowed as fan/
spectator support items at all MSHSAA District and State Series Championships. Schools are encouraged to follow these
guidelines during the regular season. Sportsmanlike vocal cheering and support from the team bench area are encouraged. The
items indicated on this page are for use by all fans/spectators.
LEGEND: BA-Baseball BK-Basketball CC-Cross Country FB-Football GO-Golf SO-Soccer SB-Softball
SW-Swimming & Diving TN-Tennis TR-Track & Field VB-Volleyball WR-Wrestling NA-Not Apply
SPORT BA BK CC FB GO SO SB SW TN TR VB WR
Balloons Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
Banners on wall Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Confetti/shredded paper/powder No No No No No No No No No No No No
Hand held signs
(no obstruction of view during play)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Laser light/pointer/ashing objects No No No No No No No No No No No No
Megaphones
(Exception: Sideline Cheerleaders only)
No No No No No No No No No No No No
Articial noisemakers, (including but not limited to
horns, cow bells, bells, buzzers, shakers, clickers,
thunder sticks, rattles, instruments not part of a band)
Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes No No
Compressed air horns/sirens No No No No No No No No No No No No
Whistles No No No No No No No No No No No No
Drones/UAV/UAS No No No No No No No No No No No No
Team introduction run-throughs or break away banners
(fans)
No No No No No No No No No No No No
Team introduction run-throughs or break away banners
(team personnel & sideline cheerleaders)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Poms, spirit/rally towels Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cannons/muskets/guns/reworks No No No No No No No No No No No No
Carried school ags
(running/taunting prohibited)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Animals/Pets (other than service animals with proper
credential documentation)
No No No No No No No No Yes
1
No No No
Appropriate dress required
(host determines)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
1
state only (Revised 2019)
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 141
BOARD POLICIES
BOARD POLICY ON SPORT CAMP FEES
The Board of Directors resolved at its November 1, 1995 meeting that provisions contained in the MSHSAA By-Laws which
stipulate that fees (tuition) for summer athletic camps shall be provided by the student or the student’s parents precludes a school
from being involved in any group projects to raise money to pay these fees. This restriction applies to a booster club as well as to
school coaches. As far as the restriction on athletes are concerned, it would be permissible for several members of a school team
to assemble themselves for the purpose of collectively undertaking work projects such as a car wash, a bake sale or other similar
type of activities to earn money which could be applied toward camp fees. Under such circumstances all money earned shall go
directly to the student to be used at his or her discretion. If students are working collectively, they cannot be organized to do so
through coordination of the school, booster club, or coach. (By-Laws 3.13 and 3.14)
BOARD POLICY ON SPORTS MEDICINE
Please refer to the Sports Medicine tab of the MSHSAA website (www.mshsaa.org) for all NFHS and MSHSAA sports medicine,
health and safety related guidelines, policies and position statements.
NFHS/MSHSAA Position Statements and Guidelines: The NFHS/MSHSAA regularly distributes position statements and
guidelines to promote public awareness of certain health and safety-related issues. Such information is neither exhaustive
nor necessarily applicable to all circumstances or individuals, and is no substitute for consultation with appropriate health-care
professionals. Statutes, codes or environmental conditions may be relevant. NFHS/MSHSAA position statements or guidelines
should be considered in conjunction with other pertinent materials when taking action or planning care. The NFHS/MSHSAA position
and guidelines can be found on the MSHSAA website under the Sports Medicine tab. The NFHS/MSHSAA reserves the right to
rescind or modify any such document at any time. (2013)
BOARD POLICY ON TIES IN FOOTBALL CONTESTS
TIE GAMES: For ALL varsity high school games (regular and play off contests) which end in a tie at the end of regulation play shall
follow a “25-yard Overtime Procedure” to determine a winner. The procedure, as outlined in the National Federation Football Rules
Book, will be followed with the following exceptions:
1. The ball will be placed on the 25-yard line instead of the 10-yard line.
2. First and tens may be obtained to maintain possession. Once the line-to-gain has not been achieved the ball will be turned over
to the defense.
Lower Level Contests: Games contested below the senior high school varsity level (Junior Varsity, Freshmen) that end in a tie at
the end of regulation play, may utilize one (1) overtime period to break the tie. If a tie remains at the end of the “25 yard” overtime
period, the contest shall remain a tie. Combined 8th and 9th grade contests which end in a tie shall remain a tie.
NOTE: The tie breaking procedure for the lower level contests is optional and shall be mutually agreed upon by both schools in
advance of the contest.
BOARD POLICY ON TRANSFERS - MAGNET SCHOOLS AND ST. LOUIS VICC
Discipline - Eligible at Time of Transfer: As per By-Law 3.10.5, a transfer student must be eligible in all respects at the school
from which he or she is transferring to be eligible at the school to which he or she is transferring. If a student transfers schools with
the status of ineligible for disciplinary reasons, the student shall retain such status at the new school for the same period as decreed
by the former school.
Discipline/Expulsion: As per By-Law 2.2.4, a student who is expelled from school (or dis-enrolled, and/or barred from re-enrolling)
because of disciplinary measures shall not be considered eligible for 365 days from the date of expulsion (or exile). An expulsion is
prompt removal of a student from school following the conduct for which the student is under discipline, whereby the student is not
allowed to return to school until either an appeals process reinstates the student or the duration is fullled. However, this period of
ineligibility shall not apply to any student expulsion for conduct otherwise protected by law which does not materially and substantially
interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of a school.
Student Transfers involving Magnet Schools: The following Board Policy outlines the circumstances whereby a public school
district resident student may have transfer eligibility outside the auspices of the Residence and Transfer Requirements in By-Law
3.10. A resident student of the school district (as per By-Law 3.10) transferring for the rst time to a Magnet School in his/her school
district or transferring from a Magnet School back to his/her school of residency (neighborhood school) will be eligible without
restrictions provided:
1. The student transfers at the beginning of a semester.
2. The student is eligible in all other respects.
3. A student’s high school enrollment history (grades 9 through 12) has been documented and reviewed by the receiving school
prior to any conrmation of eligibility under these provisions.
Page 142 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
4. The online transfer process is completed (initiated by the receiving school and completed by the sending school) prior to
placement of a student on the receiving school’s eligibility roster.
St. Louis VICC Transfers: The following Board Policy outlines the circumstances whereby a St. Louis student participating
under the overall operations of the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation program may have eligibility or restrictions under the
Residence and Transfer Requirements in By-Law 3.10.
1. The following are the transfers where a VICC Program student would be eligible without restrictions (as per By-Law 3.10.1.e)
provided the student transfers at the beginning of a semester and the student is eligible in all other respects. A student’s
high school enrollment history (grades 9 through 12) must be documented and reviewed by the receiving school prior to any
conrmation of eligibility under these provisions. The online transfer process shall be initiated by the receiving school and
completed by the sending school prior to placement of a student on the receiving school’s eligibility roster.
a. African-American City Residents: Transferring from a city school (neighborhood or magnet) to a county school that is paired
with that student’s home address and VICC “area” one time, and any subsequent transfer back to the original city school or
the student’s neighborhood school of residency. For denition of areas see included map on the next page.
b. Non-African-American County Resident: Transferring from a county school that is participating in the VICC program to a
city magnet school one time, and any subsequent transfer back to the county school of residency.
2. All other St. Louis transfers would be held to the Residence and Transfer Requirements in By-Law 3.10. St. Louis
neighborhood schools, schools of choice, vo-tech schools and charter schools are subject to the provisions of By-Law 3.10.
(Revised 2019)
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 143
BOARD POLICIES
BOARD POLICY ON UNCLAIMED CHECKS
The MSHSAA shall, for any issued check of $50.00 or greater which remains uncashed, exercise due diligence in locating the
payee, canceling the original check and issuing a replacement payment to the payee. For payees which cannot be reasonably
located and for all other stale checks or other liabilities, the MSHSAA shall report such liabilities to the Office of the State Treasurer
as required by the Missouri Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, Chapter 447, RSMo.
BOARD POLICY ON UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
MSHSAA By-Law 5.5 provides that each school is responsible for the conduct of its teams, coaches, students, and fans at games
both at home and away. (A fan is considered a non-school student or follower of the school team.) These by-laws further make it
clear that the Board of Directors has the responsibility to take action when the school does not, or cannot, adequately control the
conduct of its players, coaches, students and fans. The game rules for each sport contain the standards of sportsmanship to be
enforced by athletic game ofcials.
Unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct of an athlete, coach, student, or fan, whether before, during, or after a contest is of concern
to the Board of Directors if the incident can be directly related to an athletic event under the jurisdiction of the MSHSAA.
After reviewing recommendations regarding procedures to be applied by a school, the Board of Directors at its June 26, 1992,
meeting adopted the following policies to guide member schools and the MSHSAA ofce in coping with acts of unsportsmanlike
conduct. (See also MSHSAA manual entitled, “Improving the Educational Values of Interscholastic Athletics by Providing for Better
Sportsmanship and Conduct”.)
PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING--It shall be the responsibility of the game ofcials, as well as school administrators and other
staff members present when such unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct occurs to le reports as follows:
1. Game ofcials shall be required to le a special report with the high school principal and the superintendent with a copy to
the MSHSAA ofce no later than 48 hours after penalties have been assessed for such conduct observed before, during, or
following an athletic game. Action shall be taken against ofcials who fail to le a report.
2. Incidents noted by representatives of either of the participating schools, but not observed by the game ofcials, shall be
reported by the observer to the principal(s) of the school(s) involved with a copy to the MSHSAA ofce.
3. Local managers of MSHSAA sponsored events shall be required to le reports immediately by telephone to the MSHSAA ofce
followed immediately by a letter to the MSHSAA ofce with copies to the school(s) involved.
DUTY OF SCHOOL--When unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct occurs, the school shall immediately take appropriate action
to correct or resolve the matter. Such action shall be communicated in writing to the MSHSAA ofce within ten days. (The school
need not communicate to the MSHSAA ofce such inadvertent actions as failure to report to the scorer when substituting, wearing a
wrong number and other technical infractions which do not involve agrant, abusive, or unsportsmanlike conduct.)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS POLICIES--The following policies are established to serve as guidelines for action to be taken by the
school:
1. PLAYERS--When a player is assessed a penalty by a game ofcial for unsportsmanlike conduct, the coach should remove the
player from the game. If there are extenuating circumstances making the athlete’s conduct more serious, the penalty imposed
by the school shall be more severe. For player ejection refer to By-Law 5.5.
2. COACHES--Cases involving unsportsmanlike conduct of a coach shall result in action commensurate with the act committed. It
may range from a reprimand by the high school administration to conditions set by the board of education that the coach must
meet. For ejection of a coach refer to By-Law 5.5.
3. STUDENTS/FANS--Action regarding the misconduct of a student or fan shall range from a warning to being required to appear
before the board of education to show reason why that person should not be prohibited from attending future games. Violent
acts shall result in charges being brought against the individual or information being provided the prosecuting attorney, who may
bring charges under Missouri law.
4. Action regarding all other acts of poor sportsmanship/misconduct should be appropriate to the offense committed.
AUTHORITY DELEGATED TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR--The Board of Directors has delegated to and instructed the MSHSAA
Executive Director to assume the following authority:
1. Certain incidents constituting unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct require immediate action because of the seriousness of
the circumstances, the timeliness of the imposition of a penalty, and/or other circumstances. If such an incident takes place in
the judgment of the Executive Director, he/she is authorized to take immediate action under the provisions of By-Law 5.5.1.a.
In his/her discretion and if time permits, the Executive Director may require the school administrator(s) and the offender(s) to
appear before him/her.
2. The Executive Director shall issue a warning to a school under the following circumstances:
a. When action taken by a school in response to an incident of unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct is not considered
satisfactory;
Page 144 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
b. When a school fails to inform the MSHSAA ofce in writing of the action taken by the school within ten days of the receipt
by the MSHSAA of a report of unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct. The warning will be dissolved as of the date the
MSHSAA ofce receives a reply unless the action taken is not considered satisfactory.
3. If a school receives a report during the same sport season of unsportsmanlike conduct or misconduct after having received a
warning, the high school administrator and the offender (if applicable) shall be required to appear before the Executive Director
to show cause why action should not be taken under provisions of By-Law 5.5.1.a.
4. These guidelines shall not be interpreted to limit the action of the Executive Director in any case in which, in his/her opinion,
immediate or additional action is necessary.
5. A school shall have the right to appeal any action taken by the Executive Director to the Appeals Committee.
SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES--
1. In any situation in which a player becomes involved in a ght or in which a substitute leaves the bench to go onto the oor/
eld when a ght breaks out among players, the MSHSAA Board expects as a minimum penalty that the coach suspend the
individual for the remainder of that contest and for the next contest in which the team plays.
2. If members of a team engage in a ght during an interscholastic contest and this is later repeated in a subsequent game during
the season, the Executive Director shall be instructed to take rm action in accord with provisions contained in By-Law 5.5.1.a
including the possible exclusion of the team from the state tournament series in the sport concerned.
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS--It is strongly recommended that all coaches and students be thoroughly
informed of these policies adopted by the Board of Directors. It should be made clear that the primary purpose of these policies is
to improve the educational and recreational values which interscholastic athletic games can have for our high school youth. If these
values are lost, interscholastic competition can no longer be justied in the school program. (By-Law 5.5)
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 145
APPENDICES
A: MSHSAA Participation Summary - Schools and Students
B: Listing of MSHSAA Member Sschools by District
C: Affiliate Registered Schools (ARS) and Home School Associations (HSA)
D: CSIET Inbound Advisory List
E: CSIET Outbound Advisory List
F: NFHS Sanctioning Procedures
Page 146 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
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Number of
Member Schools
18* 38* 22* 8* 11* 7* 0* 33* 137 86 106 75 64 72 31 100 59 593 730
Baseball 58 71 0 0 14 3 0 3 149 82 98 71 57 70 29 81 50 538 687
Basketball (Boys) 89 128 101 73 92 38 5 55 581 88 109 78 64 73 33 92 59 596 1177
Basketball (Girls) 78 126 101 70 90 38 5 56 564 74 102 75 63 72 32 89 56 563 1127
Cross Country (Boys) 67 109 69 25 59 37 7 54 427 63 96 57 35 52 29 81 54 467 894
Cross Country (Girls) 67 104 73 22 59 36 7 54 422 55 91 54 33 47 28 83 53 444 866
Dance/Pom Pon 5 1 3 2 1 1 4 5 22 25 27 20 20 16 12 50 42 212 234
Football (11-Man) 46 80 60 32 46 19 0 50 333 38 56 40 22 35 15 76 46 328 661
Football (8-Man) 0 7 12 37 24 0 0 1 81 0 8 9 37 16 0 0 1 71 152
Golf (Boys) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 42 72 52 36 39 23 54 36 354 354
Golf (Girls) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 49 37 31 23 13 49 35 248 248
Music 67 92 74 47 55 22 3 48 408 73 97 72 57 66 29 84 54 532 940
Scholar Bowl 21 60 63 55 27 8 0 25 259 49 86 69 63 57 22 35 37 418 677
Sideline Cheer 71 95 82 58 62 22 5 35 430 81 99 73 63 69 28 83 53 549 979
Soccer (Boys) 0 1 2 0 12 0 0 14 29 22 33 22 8 22 15 78 49 249 278
Soccer (Girls) 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 14 16 22 32 21 9 22 16 82 48 252 268
Softball - Fall (Girls) 26 77 70 46 18 2 0 1 240 29 35 72 53 39 26 61 35 350 590
Softball - Spring (Girls) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51 61 0 1 33 5 0 1 152 152
Speech, Debate, Theatre 0 28 1 0 1 0 0 23 53 23 52 22 7 25 14 38 40 221 274
Swimming (Boys) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 12 7 20 6 3 5 4 47 31 123 135
Swimming (Girls) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 12 7 25 8 2 7 4 59 37 149 161
Tennis (Boys) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 14 35 12 11 13 4 59 32 180 181
Tennis (Girls) 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 19 33 12 11 14 4 64 35 192 193
Track and Field (Boys) 52 116 105 70 98 43 5 59 548 58 96 77 63 73 29 88 58 542 1090
Track and Field (Girls) 52 116 105 70 98 43 5 60 549 57 96 77 64 72 29 90 58 543 1092
Volleyball (Boys) 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 1 1 1 0 1 53 18 82 85
Volleyball (Girls) 79 111 34 40 71 28 2 57 422 80 97 24 33 59 22 93 57 465 887
Wrestling (Boys) 21 44 32 33 40 19 0 43 232 23 32 25 27 30 13 71 41 262 494
Wrestling (Girls) 21 43 25 32 38 18 0 41 218 21 31 22 26 29 13 57 37 236 454
APPENDIX A (1)
2023-24 MSHSAA SCHOOL PARTICIPATION SUMMARY BY DISTRICT
(Figures as of May 23, 2024)
JUNIOR HIGHS SENIOR HIGHS
*These gures indicate the total number of junior high schools holding separate memberships. The junior high school participation gures include all
junior high schools holding separate memberships plus all junior high schools holding combined memberships with the senior high school from the
district.
NOTE: The totals in the “SR High Total” column include schools that do not register for districts/state series. Further, each cooperative sponsorship
counts as one participating school, not two.
APPENDICES
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 147
APPENDIX A (2)
2023-24 MSHSAA PARTICIPATION SUMMARY - SCHOOLS & STUDENTS
(Figures as of March 23, 2024)
Number
Schools
Jr. High
Number
Schools
Sr. High
Number
Schools
Total
Number
Participants
Jr. High
Number
Participants
Sr. High
Number
Participants
Total
Baseball (Fall) 0 105 105 0 1653 1653
Baseball (Spring) 149 538 687 1472 12921 14393
Basketball (Boys) 581 596 1177 8276 13151 21427
Basketball (Girls) 564 563 1127 6455 8589 15044
Cross Country (Boys) 427 467 894 2749 5287 8036
Cross Country (Girls) 422 444 866 2243 3972 6215
Dance Team/Pom Pon 22 212 234 192 2643 2835
Football (11-Man) 333 328 661 10558 20930 31488
Football (8-Man) 81 71 152 712 1040 1752
Golf (Boys) 0 354 354 0 4584 4584
Golf (Girls) 0 248 248 0 2341 2341
Music (Schools) 408 532 940 -- -- --
Music (Instrumental) -- -- -- 11710 26909 38619
Music (Vocal) -- -- -- 5439 17593 23032
Scholar Bowl 259 418 677 2058 5105 7163
Sideline Cheer 430 549 979 3952 9418 13370
Soccer (Boys) 29 249 278 376 8629 9005
Soccer (Girls) 16 252 268 249 7878 8127
Softball (Girls - Fall) 240 350 590 2389 6368 8757
Softball (Girls - Spring) 0 152 152 0 2314 2314
Speech and Debate 53 221 274 1079 7751 8830
Swimming (Boys) 12 123 135 100 1735 1835
Swimming (Girls) 12 149 161 149 2755 2904
Tennis (Boys) 1 180 181 0 3565 3565
Tennis (Girls) 1 192 193 0 4725 4725
Track (Boys) 548 542 1090 10466 16571 27037
Track (Girls) 549 543 1092 10020 13389 23409
Volleyball (Boys) 3 82 85 0 2012 2012
Volleyball (Girls) 422 465 887 6834 11028 17862
Wrestling (Boys) 232 262 494 3817 8014 11831
Wrestling (Girls) 218 236 454 1151 2640 3791
Member Schools *137 593 730 92446 235510 327956
*These gures indicate the total number of junior high schools holding separate memberships. The junior high school participation
gures include all junior high schools holding separate memberships plus all junior high schools holding combined memberships with
the senior high school from the district.
Page 148 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
CENTRAL DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (72)
Adrian*
Appleton City*
Archie*
Ballard
Blair Oaks*
Boonville
Bunceton*
Butler*
California*
Calvary Lutheran
Capital City
Chilhowee
Clinton*
Cole Camp*
Concordia*
Crest Ridge*
Dadeville
Drexel*
Eldon*
Eugene*
Fair Play*
Green Ridge*
Harrisonville
Helias Catholic
Hermitage
Holden*
Hume
Iberia*
Jamestown*
Jefferson City
Kingsville*
Knob Noster*
La Monte*
Lafayette County
Lakeland*
Leeton*
Lexington*
Lincoln*
Malta Bend
Marshall*
Miami (Amoret)
Midway*
Montrose*
Northwest (Hughesville)*
Odessa*
Osage*
Osceola*
Otterville*
Pilot Grove*
Pleasant Hill*
Prairie Home*
Rich Hill*
Russellville*
Sacred Heart*
Santa Fe*
Sherwood*
Skyline
Slater*
Smith-Cotton*
Smithton*
St. Paul Lutheran (Concordia)
Stover*
Sweet Springs*
Tipton*
Tuscumbia*
Versailles*
Warrensburg*
Warsaw*
Weaubleau
Wellington-Napoleon*
Wheatland
Windsor*
JUNIOR HIGHS (11)
Calhoun
East Lynne
Harrisonville
Hudson
Lafayette County
Laura Speed Elliott
Lewis and Clark
McCartan Memorial
Roscoe
Shawnee
Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson City)
KANSAS CITY DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (59)
Academie Lafayette Charter*
Barstow
Belton
Blue Springs
Blue Springs South
Center
Central (Kansas City)
Cristo Rey
Crossroads Prep Charter
DeLaSalle Charter
East (Kansas City)
Ewing Marion Kauffman Charter*
Excelsior Springs*
Fort Osage*
Frontier School of Excellence Charter*
Frontier STEM Charter*
Grain Valley*
Grandview
Guadalupe Centers Charter
Hogan Prep Charter*
Kearney*
KIPP KC Legacy Charter
Lee’s Summit
Lee’s Summit North
Lee’s Summit West
Liberty
Liberty North
Lincoln College Prep
Lone Jack*
Lutheran (Kansas City)
North Kansas City*
Northeast (Kansas City)
Northland Christian
Notre Dame de Sion
Oak Grove
Oak Park*
Park Hill
Park Hill South
Paseo Academy*
Pembroke Hill*
Platte County*
Raymore-Peculiar
Raytown
Raytown South
Rockhurst
Ruskin
Smithville*
Southeast
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic
St. Pius X (Kansas City)
St. Teresa’s Academy
Staley*
Summit Christian Academy
Truman*
University Academy Charter*
Van Horn*
West Platte*
William Chrisman*
Winnetonka*
JUNIOR HIGHS (33)
AC Preparatory
Belton
Bernard C. Campbell
Brittany Hill
Center
Central (Kansas City)
Congress
Delta Woods
Discovery
East Trails
Foreign Language Academy
Grandview
Heritage
Lakeview
Liberty
Lincoln College Prep
Martin City
Moreland Ridge
Northeast (Kansas City)
Oak Grove
Paul Kinder
Platte Purchase
Plaza
Pleasant Lee
Raymore-Peculiar East
Raymore-Peculiar South
Raytown
Raytown Central
Raytown South
APPENDIX B
2023-2024 LISTING OF MEMBER SCHOOLS
BY DISTRICTS
* Indicates a junior high membership is included with high school
# Indicates a school who offers no programs on its own (SLC or co-op visitor only)
APPENDICES
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 149
Smith-Hale
South Valley
Summit Lakes
Walden
NORTHEAST DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (75)
Atlanta*
Battle
Bevier*
Bowling Green*
Brashear*
Brookeld*
Brunswick*
Bucklin*
Canton*
Centralia
Clark County*
Clopton*
Columbia Independent
Community*
Elsberry*
Faith Walk Academy* #
Father Tolton Regional Catholic
Fayette*
Frederick Douglass
Fulton
Glasgow*
Green City*
Hallsville*
Hannibal*
Harrisburg*
Hickman
Higbee*
Highland*
Keytesville*
Kirksville
Knox County*
La Plata*
Linn County*
Louisiana*
Macon*
Macon County*
Madison*
Marceline*
Marion County*
Mark Twain*
Meadville*
Mexico
Milan*
Missouri Military Academy*
Missouri School for the Deaf
Moberly
Monroe City*
Montgomery County*
New Bloomeld*
New Franklin*
Newtown-Harris*
North Callaway
North Shelby*
Northeast (Cairo)*
Northwestern (Mendon)*
Novinger*
Palmyra
Paris*
Putnam County*
Rock Bridge
Salisbury*
Schuyler County
Scotland County*
Silex*
South Callaway*
South Shelby*
Southern Boone
Sturgeon*
Troy Buchanan
Van-Far*
Warrenton*
Wellsville-Middletown*
Westran*
Wineld*
Wright City*
JUNIOR HIGHS (22)
Boncl
Chester Boren
Gentry
Holliday
Holy Family (Hannibal)
Holy Rosary (Monroe City)
Immaculate Conception (Macon)
Jefferson (Columbia)
John B. Lange
John Warner
Mexico
Moberly
North Callaway
Oakland
Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish
Palmyra
Smithton (Columbia)
Southern Boone
St. Alphonsus
St. Mary’s (Glasgow)
West (Columbia)
William Matthew
NORTHWEST DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (64)
Albany*
Benton
Bishop LeBlond
Bosworth*
Braymer*
Breckenridge*
Cainsville*
Cameron*
Carrollton*
Central (St. Joseph)
Chillicothe*
Craig*
DeKalb*
East Buchanan*
Fairfax*
Gallatin*
Gilman City*
Grundy County*
Hale*
Hardin-Central*
Jefferson (Conception Jct.)*
King City*
Lafayette (St. Joseph)
Lathrop*
Lawson*
Maryville
Maysville*
Mercer*
Mid-Buchanan*
Mound City*
Nodaway-Holt*
Norborne*
North Andrew*
North Daviess*
North Harrison*
North Nodaway*
North Platte*
Northeast Nodaway*
Orrick*
Osborn*
Pattonsburg*
Penney*
Plattsburg*
Polo*
Princeton*
Richmond*
Ridgeway*
Rock Port*
Savannah
South Harrison*
South Holt*
South Nodaway*
Southwest (Livingston Co.)*
St. Joseph Christian*
Stanberry*
Stewartsville*
Tarkio*
Tina-Avalon*
Trenton*
Tri-County*
Union Star*
West Nodaway*
Winston*
Worth County*
JUNIOR HIGHS (8)
Avenue City
Bode
Maryville
Robidoux
Savannah
Spring Garden
St. Joseph Catholic Academy
Truman
ST. LOUIS DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (100)
Affton
Bayless
Bishop DuBourg
Brentwood
Cardinal Ritter
Carnahan
Central Visual & Perf. Arts
Chaminade College Preparatory
Christian
Christian Brothers College
Clayton
Collegiate School of Med/Bio Science
Conuence Prep Academy Charter
Cool Valley Innovation #
Cor Jesu Academy
Crossroads College Preparatory
De Smet Jesuit
Duchesne
Eureka
Francis Howell
Francis Howell Central
Francis Howell North
Ft. Zumwalt East
Ft. Zumwalt North
Page 150 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
Ft. Zumwalt South
Ft. Zumwalt West
Gateway
Gateway Science Academy Charter
Grand Center Arts Academy Charter
Hancock
Hazelwood Central
Hazelwood East
Hazelwood West
Hiram Neuwoehner #
Holt*
Incarnate Word Academy
Jennings
John Burroughs
Kairos Charter
KIPP St. Louis Charter
Kirkwood
Ladue Horton Watkins
Lafayette (Wildwood)
Liberty (Wentzville)*
Lift for Life Academy Charter
Lindbergh
Lutheran North
Lutheran St. Charles
Lutheran South
Maplewood-Richmond Heights
Marquette
McCluer
McCluer North
McKinley Classical Leadership
Mehlville
Metro
MICDS
Miller Career Academy
Missouri School for the Blind
Nerinx Hall
Normandy Collaborative
North Point*
Northview #
Notre Dame (St. Louis)
Oakville
Orchard Farm*
Parkway Central
Parkway North
Parkway South
Parkway West
Pattonville
Principia
Priory
Ritenour
Riverview Gardens
Rockwood Summit
Roosevelt
Rosati-Kain Academy
Soldan International Studies
Southview #
St. Charles
St. Charles West
St. Dominic
St. Joseph’s Academy
St. Louis University High
St. Mary’s South Side Catholic
STEAM Academy at McCluer-South Berkeley
Sumner
The Fulton School
Timberland*
University City
Ursuline Academy
Valley Park*
Vashon
Vianney
Villa Duchesne
Visitation Academy
Webster Groves
Westminster Christian Academy
Whiteld
JUNIOR HIGHS (0)
None
SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (31)
Belle
Bourbon*
Camdenton*
Chamois*
Climax Springs
Crocker
Cuba*
Dixon*
Fatima*
Hermann*
Laquey
Linn*
Macks Creek*
New Haven*
Newburg
Owensville*
Pacic*
Richland
Rolla*
Salem*
St. Clair*
St. Elizabeth*
St. Francis Borgia
St. James*
Steelville*
Stoutland
Sullivan*
Union*
Vienna*
Washington*
Waynesville*
JUNIOR HIGHS (7)
Bland
Dent-Phelps
Green Forest
North Wood
Oak Hill
Phelps County
Richland
SOUTHEAST DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (86)
Advance*
Arcadia Valley
Bell City
Bernie
Bismarck
Bloomeld
Bunker
Campbell*
Caruthersville
Central (Cape Girardeau)*
Central (New Madrid County)
Central (Park Hills)*
Chaffee*
Charleston*
Clarkton
Clearwater*
Cooter
Crystal City*
Delta (Deering)
Delta
DeSoto*
Dexter
Doniphan*
East Carter
East Prairie*
Ellington
Eminence
Farmington*
Festus*
Fox
Fredericktown*
Gideon
Grandview (Hillsboro)*
Greenville
Hayti*
Herculaneum*
Hillsboro*
Holcomb
Jackson
Jefferson (Festus)
Kelly*
Kennett
Kingston
Leopold
Lesterville
Malden*
Marquand-Zion
Meadow Heights*
Naylor
Neelyville
North County
North Pemiscot
Northwest (Cedar Hill)
Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau)
Oak Ridge*
Oran
Perryville*
Poplar Bluff
Portageville*
Potosi*
Puxico*
Richland (Essex)
Risco
Saxony Lutheran
Scott City*
Scott County Central*
Seckman
Senath-Hornersville*
Sikeston*
South Iron
South Pemiscot*
Southland
St. Paul Lutheran (Farmington)
St. Pius X (Festus)
St. Vincent
Ste. Genevieve*
Twin Rivers
Valle Catholic
Valley
Van Buren*
Viburnum*
West County
Windsor (Imperial)*
Winona
Woodland*
Zalma
APPENDICES
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 151
JUNIOR HIGHS (18)
Antonia
Belleview
Caruthersville
Central (New Madrid County)
Danby-Rush Tower
Fisk
Fox
Hawkins
Kennett
North County
Northwest Valley
Oran
Poplar Bluff
Qulin
Ridgewood
Seckman
T.S. Hill (Dexter)
Woodridge
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
MEMBER SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOLS (106)
Alton
Ash Grove*
Aurora*
Ava*
Bakerseld
Billings*
Blue Eye*
Bolivar*
Bradleyville*
Branson
Bronaugh
Buffalo*
Cabool
Carl Junction
Carthage
Cassville*
Central (Springeld)
Chadwick
Clever*
College Heights Christian
Conway*
Couch
Crane*
Diamond*
Dora
East Newton
El Dorado Springs*
Everton
Exeter*
Fair Grove*
Fordland
Forsyth*
Gainesville*
Galena*
Glendale
Gloria Deo Academy*
Golden City*
Greeneld*
Greenwood
Halfway
Hartville
Hillcrest
Hollister*
Houston*
Humansville
Hurley*
Jasper*
Joplin
Kickapoo
Koshkonong
Lamar
Lebanon*
Liberal*
Liberty (Mountain View)*
Licking*
Lockwood*
Logan-Rogersville
Lutie
Manseld*
Marion C. Early
Marionville*
Marsheld
McAuley Catholic
McDonald County
Miller*
Monett
Mountain Grove*
Mt. Vernon*
Neosho*
Neosho Christian*
Nevada
New Covenant Academy*
Niangua
Nixa*
Northeast Vernon County*
Norwood
Ozark*
Parkview
Pierce City*
Plato*
Pleasant Hope*
Purdy*
Reeds Spring
Republic
Sarcoxie*
School of the Ozarks
Seneca
Seymour
Sheldon
Southwest (Washburn)*
Sparta*
Spokane*
Springeld Catholic*
Stockton*
Strafford*
Summersville
Thayer*
The Summit Preparatory*
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day
Verona
Walnut Grove
Webb City
West Plains
Wheaton
Willard*
Willow Springs*
JUNIOR HIGHS (38)
Anderson
Branson
Cabool
Carl Junction
Carthage
Carver
Central (Springeld)
Cherokee
East (Joplin)
Granby
Hickory Hills
Immanuel Lutheran (Lockwood)
Jarrett
Lamar
Logan-Rogersville
Marsheld
Monett
Nevada
Noel
North (Joplin)
Pershing
Pineville
Pipkin
Pleasant View (Springeld)
Reed
Reeds Spring
Republic
Rocky Comfort
Seneca
South (Joplin)
Southwest City
St. Mary’s (Pierce City)
Triway
Webb City
West Plains
Westport
White Rock
Wilson's Creek
2023-24 MEMBER SUMMARY
HIGH SCHOOLS - 270
JUNIOR HIGHS - 137
COMBINED - 323
NEW MEMBER SCHOOLS
FOR 2024-25
1. Faith Christian Academy
SCHOOLS DROPPING
MEMBERSHIP FOR 2024-25
1. Carnahan
Page 152 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
APPENDIX C
2023-24 Affiliate Registered Schools and Home School Associations
The following schools were registered as Afliate Registered Schools or Home School Association Teams during the prior school year. Please
check the MSHSAA website for conrmation of current membership status or ARS status before nalizing a contract for competition.
ARS High Schools (30)
Aurora Christian Academy Senior High School Aurora
Chesterton Academy-St. Louis High School St. Louis
Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis High School St. Louis
Christian Fellowship High School Columbia
Clinton Christian Academy High School Clinton
Eagle Ridge Christian High School Cape Girardeau
El Dorado Christian High School El Dorado Springs
Eminence Christian High School Eminence
Faith Christian Academy High School Kansas City
Gateway Legacy Christian Academy High School Florissant
Heartland Christian (Belton) Academy High School Belton
Heartland Christian (Bethel) High School Bethel
Joplin Gloria Deo Academy High School Joplin
Libertas Christian Academy High School Farmington
Liberty Christian Academy High School Wright City
Lighthouse Preparatory Academy High School Jefferson City
Link Academy High School Branson
Logos High School St. Louis
Maranatha Baptist Academy High School St. Robert
Miriam Academy High School St. Louis
North County Christian High School Florissant
Northeast Christian High School Kirksville
Ozanam High School Kansas City
Plaza Heights Christian Academy High School Blue Springs
Polk County Christian High School Bolivar
Providence Academy High School St. Louis
Sunnydale Adventist Academy High School Centralia
TDW Prep Academy High School St. Louis
Thomas Jefferson (Sunset Hills) High School Sunset Hills
Westwood Baptist Academy High School Poplar Bluff
ARS Junior High Schools (202)
Alton Junior HIgh School Alton
Arcadia Valley Middle School Ironton
Aurora Christian Academy Junior High School Aurora
Avilla Junior High School Avilla
Ballard Junior High School Butler
Barstow Junior High School Kansas City
Bell City Junior High School Bell City
Bernie Junior High School Bernie
Bishop Hogan Memorial Junior High School Chillicothe
Bismarck Junior High School Bismarck
Bloomeld Junior High School Bloomeld
Bronaugh Junior High School Bronaugh
Brookside Charter Junior High School Kansas City
ARS Junior High Schools, Continued
Bunker Junior High School Bunker
Callao Junior High School Callao
Chadwick Junior High School Chadwick
Chilhowee Junior High School Chilhowee
Christian Chapel Academy Junior High School Columbia
Christian Fellowship Junior High School Columbia
City Garden Middle School Columbia
Climax Springs Junior High School Climax Springs
Clinton Christian Academy Junior High School Clinton
Clopton Junior High School Clarksville
College Heights Christian Junior High School Joplin
Columbia Independent Junior High School Columbia
Cooter Junior High School Cooter
Cornerstone Baptist Junior High School Sedalia
Cowgill Junior High School Cowgill
Crocker Junior High School Crocker
Dadeville Junior High School Dadeville
Davis R-12 Elementary Clinton
Delta Junior High School Delta
Delta (Deering) Junior High School Deering
East Carter Junior High School Ellsinore
El Dorado Christian Junior High School El Dorado Springs
Ellington Junior High School Ellington
Eminence Christian Junior High School Eminence
Eminence Junior High School Eminence
Everton Junior High School Everton
Fairview Junior High School West Plains
Faith Christian Academy Junior High School Kansas City
Faith Lutheran Junior High School Kirksville
Fordland Junior High School Fordland
Franklin County R-II Junior High School New Haven
Fulton Middle School Fulton
Gideon Junior High School Gideon
Gilliam Junior High School Gilliam
Glenwood Junior High School West Plains
Greenville Junior High School Greenville
Greenwood Junior High School Springeld
Guardian Angel Junior High School Oran
Halfway Junior High School Halfway
Hartville Middle School Hartville
Heartland Christian (Bethel) Acad. Junior High School Bethel
Hermitage Middle School Hermitage
High Point Junior High School California
Holcomb Junior High School Holcomb
Holy Rosary (Clinton) Junior High School Clinton
Holy Rosary (Warrenton) Junior HIgh School Warrenton
APPENDICES
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 153
ARS Junior High Schools, Continued
Howell Valley Junior High School West Plains
Humansville Middle School Humansville
Hume Junior High School Hume
Immaculate Conception (Jackson) Junior High School Jackson
Immaculate Conception (Jeff City) Junior High School Jefferson City
Immaculate Conception (Montgomery City) Jr. H. Sch. Montgomery City
Immaculate Conception (New Madrid) Jr. High School New Madrid
Immaculate Conception (Old Monroe) Jr. High School Old Monroe
Immaculate Conception (Union) Junior High School Union
Immanuel Lutheran (Higginsville) Junior High School Higginsville
Immanuel Lutheran (Perryville) Junior High School Perryville
Joel E. Barber Middle School Lebanon
Joplin Gloria Deo Academy Junior High School Joplin
Junction Hill Junior High School West Plains
KC International Academy Charter Jr. High Kansas City
Kansas City Girls Prep Academy Junior High Kansas City
Kelso Junior High School Benton
Kingston Junior High School Kingston
Kingston (Cadet) Junior High School Cadet
KIPP Endeavor Junior High School Kansas City
Kirbyville Middle School Kirbyville
Laquey Junior High School Laquey
Laredo Junior High School Laredo
Latham Junior High School Latham
Leesville Junior High School Clinton
Leopold Junior High School Leopold
Lesterville Junior High School Lesterville
Libertas Christian Academy Junior High School Farmington
Living Water Christian Academy of NE Missouri JH Leonard
Lonedell Junior High School Lonedell
Lutheran School (Cole Camp) Association Jr. H. School Cole Camp
Malta Bend Junior High School Malta Bend
Marion C. Early Junior High School Morrisville
Mark Twain (Rueter) Junior High School Rueter
Marquand-Zion Junior High School Marquand
Mary Immaculate Junior High School Kirksville
Miami Junior High School Amoret
Miami Junior High School Miami
Middle Grove Junior High School Madison
Mighty Kingdom Academy Junior High School Hermann
Mirabile K-8 School Polo
Missouri School for the Deaf Junior High School Fulton
Naylor Junior High School Naylor
Neelyville Junior High School Neelyville
Nell Holcomb Junior High School Cape Girardeau
New York Junior High School Hamilton
Newburg Junior High School Newburg
Niangua Junior High School Niangua
North Pemiscot Junior High School Wardell
Northland Christian Junior High School Kansas City
Norwood Junior High School Norwood
Orearville Junior High School Slater
ARS Junior High Schools, Continued
Pemiscot Co. R-III Junior High School Caruthersville
Pettis County R-XII (Dresden) Junior High School Sedalia
Plainview R-8 Elementary School Ava
Pleasant View R-VI (Trenton) Junior High School Trenton
Polk County Christian Junior High School Bolivar
Providence Academy Junior High School St. Louis
Renick Junior HIgh School Renick
Richards Junior High School West Plains
Richland (Essex) Junior High School Essex
Richwoods Junior High School Richwoods
Risco Junior High School Risco
River Oak Christian Academy Junior High School Jefferson City
Round Grove Christian Academy Junior High School Miller
Sacred Heart Junior High School Poplar Bluff
Saint Therese Junior High School Kansas City
Saints Peter and Paul Middle School Boonville
School of the Ozarks Junior High School Point Lookout
Schuyler County Junior High School Queen City
Scuola Vita Nuova Charter Junior High School Kansas City
Seymour Junior High School Seymour
Sheldon Junior High School Sheldon
Shell Knob Junior High School Shell Knob
Skyline (Urbana) Junior High School Urbana
South Iron Junior High School Annapolis
Spring Bluff Junior High School Sullivan
Springeld Lutheran Junior High School Springeld
St. Ambrose Catholic Junior High School Chaffee
St. Andrew Junior High School Tipton
St. Augustine Junior High School Kelso
St. Brendan Junior High School Mexico
St. Bridget of Kildare Junior High School Pacic
St. Clement Junior High School Bowling Green
St. Denis Junior High School Benton
St. Eustachius Junior High School Portageville
St. George Catholic (Hermann) Junior High School Hermann
St. George Catholic (Linn) Junior High School Linn
St. Gregory Barbarigo Junior High School Maryville
St. John's Lutheran (Hannibal) Junior High School Hannibal
St. Joseph (Farmington) Junior High School Farmington
St. Joseph (Martinsburg) School Martinsburg
St. Joseph (Pilot Grove) Junior High School Pilot Grove
St. Joseph (Salisbury) Junior High School Salisbury
St. Joseph Cathedral Junior High School Jefferson City
St. Joseph Catholic (Westphalia) Junior High School Westphalia
St. Martin Junior High School Jefferson City
St. Mary's (Montrose) Junior High School Montrose
St. Patrick Catholic (Rolla) Junior High School Rolla
St. Paul Lutheran (Concordia) Junior HIgh School Concordia
St. Paul Lutheran (Farmington) Junior High School Farmington
St. Paul Lutheran (Jackson) Junior High School Jackson
St. Paul Lutheran (St. Joseph) Junior High School St. Joseph
St. Paul Lutheran (Stover) Junior High School Stover
Page 154 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
ARS Junior High Schools, Continued
St. Peter (Jefferson City) Junior High School Jefferson City
St. Peter (Marshall) Junior High School Marshall
St. Peter Catholic Junior High School Fulton
St. Peter's (Joplin) Middle School Jopl
St. Pius X (Moberly) Junior High School Moberly
St. Stanislaus Junior High School Jefferson City
St. Teresa Junior High School Campbell
St. Vincent Junior High School Perryville
Stoutland Junior High School Stoutland
Strain-Japan Junior High School Sullivan
Strasburg Middle School Strasburg
Summersville Junior High School Summersville
Summit Christian Academy Junior High School Lee's Summit
Sunrise Middle School Desoto
Taneyville Junior High School Taneyville
The Kings Academy Junior High School Lake Ozark
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day Junior High School Joplin
Tri-County Christian Junior High School Macon
Trinity Lutheran (Alma) Junior High School Alma
Trinity Lutheran (Cape Girardeau) Junior High School Cape Girardeau
Trinity Lutheran (Freistatt) Junior High School Freistatt
Trinity Lutheran (Jefferson City) Junior High School Jefferson City
Troy Middle School Troy
Troy South Middle School Moscow Mills
United in Christ Lutheran Junior High School Frohna
Valley Junior High School Caledonia
Veritas Christian Academy Middle School O'Fallon
Verona Junior High School Verona
Visitation Inter-Parish Junior High School Vienna
Walnut Grove Junior High School Walnut Grove
Weaubleau Junior High School Weaubleau
West St. Francois County Junior High School Park Hills
Westview Junior High School Neosho
Wheatland Junior High School Wheatland
Wheaton Junior High School Wheaton
Winona Junior High School Winona
Zalma Junior High School Zalma
Zion Lutheran (Bunceton) Junior High School Bunceton
Zion Lutheran (Rockville) Junior High School Rockville
Junior High Home School Association Teams (6)
Hannibal Area Home Educators Junior High HSA New London
Lighthouse Christian Academy Junior High HSA Nixa
Mineral Area Junior High Home School Association Farmington
St. Louis Christian (Leslie) Jr. High Home Sch. Assn. Leslie
St. Louis Christian Knights Jr. High Home Sch. Assn. Wentzville
Southern Missouri RUSH Jr. High Home School Assn Nixa
Senior High Home School Association Teams (12)
Classical Christian Acad. High School HSA Springeld
Cornerstone Spartans Sports Ministry Sr. High HSA Joplin
Hannibal Area Home Educators High School HSA New London
Lighthouse Christian Acad. Sr. H. HSA Nixa
Mineral Area Senior High HSA Farmington
North Missouri Knights High School HSA Kirksville
Rolla Sr. High Home School Athletic Assn Rolla
Southern Missouri RUSH Sr. High Home School Assn. Nixa
St. Louis Christian (Leslie) Sr. High Home School Assn. Leslie
St. Louis Christian Knights Sr. High Home Sch. Assn. Wentzville
St. Louis Ignite Sr. High Home School Association Chestereld
St. Louis Patriots Sr. High Home School Association St. Charles
APPENDICES
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 155
APPENDIX D
2024-25 INBOUND ADVISORY LIST OF
CSIET APPROVED EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Academic Year Programs: The following programs have each been evaluated as academic year programs. Some, however, may also
offer short term or other type programs. Each school administrator must be certain that the program is the academic year program
before certifying a student eligible to participate in interscholastic activities under the jurisdiction of the MSHSAA.
Please check the program’s website listing to verify if the program’s status is full, provisional or conditional.
Academic Foundation for Intnl. Cultural Exchange (AFICE)
Academic Year in America/AIFS Foundation
AFS-USA, Inc.
American Councils for International Education
American Cultural Exchange Service (ACES)
American Home Life International (AHLI)
AnB Education (dba Summa Global Education)
Apex International Education Partners, LLC
ARISE USA
Aspect Foundation
ASSE and World Heritage International Student Exchange Programs
ASSIST, Inc.
Association for Teen-Age Diplomats (ATAD)
Ayusa International
Best Educational Solutions Today
Borderless Friends Forever Foundation, Inc.
Boston Global Education
C & T Education
Cambridge Network
Central Regional High School
Children Around the World II, Inc.
Children of All Nations
Council for Educational Travel USA (CETUSA)
Council on Intnl. Educational Exchange (CIEE)
Cultural Academic Student Exchange (CASE)
Cultural Homestay International (CHI)
DMD Private High School Program
Easy Plus Education
Edu-inno inc
Education Travel and Culture, Inc.
Educational Resource Development Trust/Share! (ERDT Share!)
Educatius
EF High School Exchange Year
Exchange Service International (dba SLB Consulting Corp)
ExchangeMate International Education
Face The World Foundation
Foreign Links Around the Globe (FLAG)
Forte International Exchange Association (FIEA)
Foundation for Academic and Cultural Exchange (FACE)
Foundation for Worldwide Intnl. Student Exchange (WISE)
German American Partnership Program (GAPP)
Global Horizons USA LLC
Global Insights
Global Student Services of America
Greenheart Exchange
Heritage Student Foundation
High School in the USA (dba Global Cultural Exchanges)
Inter-Ed Ltd. (International Education Student Exchange Program)
International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES)
International Experience USA (iE-USA)
International Fellowship
International Student Exchange
Ivy International Group (dba Tiancheng Intnl. Group Inc)
Joy International Exchange Student
Lartin Brothers, LLC
MLA Move Language Ahead
Nacel Open Door
Newcomb Central School District
NorthWest Student Exchange (NWSE)
NW Services, Inc. Peace Program
Organization for Cultural Exchange Among Nations (OCEAN)
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Pan Atlantic Foundation
PAX-Program of Academic Exchange and The Laurasian Institution
PSE - Private & Public School F-1 Exchange (PSE)
Reections International, Inc.
Rotary International
Rotary - California-Nevada District 5190
Rotary - Central States Youth Exchange Programs
Rotary - Eastern States Student Exchange (ESSEX)
Rotary - Empire State Youth Exchange, Inc.
Rotary - North Star Youth Exchange
Rotary - Ohio-Erie Youth Exch. Prog. Inc.
Rotary - South Central Youth Exchange
Rotary - Western States Student Exchange (WESSEX)
Rotary - Yes/SCANEX
Rotary - Youth Exchange Southeast
School District of Janesville
States 4-H International Exchange Programs
STS Foundation
Student American International
StudentRoomStay
Terra Lingua USA
Three W Intnl. and Twinn Palms, Inc.
United Cultural Exchange USA (UCEUS)
United Studies
World Link Inc.
Youth for Understanding USA
Page 156 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
APPENDIX E
2024-25 OUTBOUND ADVISORY LIST OF
CSIET APPROVED EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Academic Year Programs: The following programs have each been evaluated as academic year programs. Some, however, may also
offer short term or other type programs. Each school administrator must be certain that the program is the academic year program
before certifying a student eligible to participate in interscholastic activities under the jurisdiction of the MSHSAA.
Please check the program’s website listing to verify if the program’s status is full, provisional or conditional.
AFS-USA, Inc.
International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES)
APPENDICES
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 157
APPENDIX F
NFHS APPLICATION
FOR SANCTION OF INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL ATHLETIC EVENTS
NOTE: The interscholastic community urges event sponsors to schedule interstate competition in a manner that minimizes the amount of time
student participants will be absent from the regular school day.
SANCTIONING PROCEDURES
1. Events that Require NFHS Sanctioning:
a) Any interstate event involving two (2) or more schools which is co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside the high
school community (e.g., a university, a theme park, an athletic shoe/apparel company).^
b) Non-bordering events if ve (5) or more states are involved.
c) Non-bordering events if eight (8) or more schools are involved. (Effective 8/1/02)
d) Any event involving two (2) or more schools that involves a team from a foreign country. The host school should complete the international
sanction request via the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. (The exceptions to this rule are Canada and Mexico which are considered
“bordering states.”) *
2. Request for Sanction: Only a member school of an NFHS member state association, or a school approved by such an association, or such
an association itself, is eligible to request sanctioning through the NFHS Interstate Sanctioning Program. Any event seeking NFHS sanction
must be sponsored by a member high school, approved high school or state association.
3. Interstate Competition: Interstate competition occurs when either teams or individuals who represent their schools travel across state lines to
participate in competitive sports events, including but not limited to such events as “shoot-outs,” “showcases,” “round-robin tournaments,” etc.
Subject to Paragraph 3, no sanction is required from the NFHS ofce if all competing schools, regardless of the number of competing schools,
are from states that border the host state unless the event is co-sponsored by or titled in the name of an organization outside the high school
community.
4. Timelines/Fees: The event sponsor school should submit the application for sanction online via the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org sixty
(60) calendar days or more before the event. Directions on submitting a sanction request can be found on the NFHS website by selecting the
“Sanctioning” link.
a) Events sponsored by state association member school: The host school must submit an application and pay a processing fee of $150
(electronic check or credit card), per application, via the website to the NFHS if the application is received sixty (60) days or more prior to
the event. (Do not send cash.) Applications received between 15-59 days before the event will pay $300. Any application received less
than 15 days before the event will pay $500. If the NFHS does not receive the sanction application within ve (5) calendar days prior to the
event, the event will not be sanctioned.
b) Events co-sponsored or titled by a non-school organization: The event sponsor must apply and pay a processing fee of $300 (electronic
check or credit card), per application, via the website to the NFHS if the application is received sixty (60) days or more before the event.
(Do not send cash.) Applications received 15-59 days before the event will pay $600. Any application received less than 15 days before
the event will pay $800. If the NFHS does not receive the sanction application within ve (5) calendar days before the event, the event will
not be sanctioned.
5. Names and Addresses of Invited/Participating Schools: All sanction requests submitted to the NFHS website must be accompanied by
the names and addresses of all invited/participating schools. In the case of cross country, golf and track and eld events, the host school will
complete the sanction application online 60 days or more prior to the event. The nal list of actual entries will be due to the NFHS website
twenty (20) days prior to the event. If the list is not received ve (5) days prior to the event, the application for sanction will be disapproved, and
the meet director will be notied that they are running a non-sanctioned event.
6. Equal Treatment: Schools participating in interstate competition, as well as the schools’ employees and agents, shall be treated equally.
Examples of such shall include, but not limited to, the following:
a) reduction or waiver of entry fee for one school must result in reduction or waiver of entry fee for all schools:
b) appearance fee paid to one school must result in equal amount of appearance fee paid to all participating schools;
c) expense reimbursements, if any, must result in equivalent payments to all participating schools, subject to reasonable adjustments for
differing distances traveled;
d) share of proceeds/live gate paid to one school must result in equal share of proceeds/live gate paid to all participating schools.
7. NFHS Website: Information regarding the status of an event that has requested NFHS Sanctioning will be posted at www.nfhs.org. If you
have any questions regarding the status of your event, please contact the NFHS Sanctioning Department at 317-972-6900 Monday-Friday,
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
8. Financial Report: A nancial report about an event will be provided to the NFHS upon request by the NFHS. NFHS Financial Report Form
found at www.nfhs.org.
^ Competition involving border states, and all other congurations of interstate competition not requiring the sanction of the NFHS ofce,
shall be sanctioned by the state associations involved according to their own procedures.
* NFHS Bylaw 17 provided that each member state association shall approve and receive NFHS approval for competition by a member
school against a school from a foreign country, except for two (2) school and three (3) school competition with a school or schools from
Canada or Mexico which necessitates a round trip of less than 600 miles.
Page 158 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
NOTES
2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK Page 159
PROJECTED CALENDAR, Page 1
Day Week 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
No.
Labor Day Mon. Sept. 2 Sept. 1 Sept. 7 Sept. 6
GIRLS GOLF
Districts ......................................................Wed.-Fri./Mon. 14-15 Oct. 9-11/14 Oct. 8-10/13 Oct. 7-9/12 Oct 6-8/11
State Championships ................................Mon.-Tues. 16 Oct. 21-22 Oct. 20-21 Oct. 19-20 Oct. 18-19
GIRLS TENNIS
Individual Districts .....................................Sat. 14 Oct. 12 Oct. 11 Oct. 10 Oct. 9
Team Districts ............................................Mon.-Thurs. 15 Oct. 14-17 Oct. 13-16 Oct. 12-15 Oct. 11-14
Team Sectionals ........................................Mon.-Tues. 16 Oct. 21-22 Oct. 20-21 Oct. 19-20 Oct. 18-19
State Individual Championships ...............Thurs.-Sat. 16 Oct. 24-26 Oct. 23-25 Oct. 22-24 Oct. 21-23
State Team Championships .....................Thurs.-Fri. 17 Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Oct. 30-31 Oct. 29-30 Oct. 28-29
SOFTBALL - FALL
District (Class 1) ........................................Tues.-Tues. 15-16 Oct. 15-22 Oct. 14-21 Oct. 13-20 Oct. 12-19
Districts (Classes 2-5) ...............................Wed.-Wed. 15-16 Oct. 16-23 Oct. 15-22 Oct. 14-21 Oct. 13-20
Sectionals (Class 1) ..................................Thurs. 16 Oct. 24 Oct. 23 Oct. 22 Oct. 21
Quarternals (All Classes) ......................... Sat. 16 Oct. 26 Oct. 25 Oct. 24 Oct. 23
State Championships ................................Thurs.-Sat. 17 Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Oct. 30-Nov. 1 Oct. 29-31 Oct. 28-30
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Districts ......................................................Tues.-Tues. 16-17 Oct. 22-29 Oct. 21-28 Oct. 20-27 Oct. 19-26
Sectionals ..................................................Thurs. 17 Oct. 31 Oct. 30 Oct. 29 Oct. 28
Quarternals ..............................................Sat. 17 Nov. 2 Nov. 1 Oct. 31 Oct. 30
State Championships ................................Wed.-Sat. 18 Nov. 6-9 Nov. 5-8 Nov. 4-7 Nov. 3-6
CROSS COUNTRY
Districts ......................................................Sat. 17 Nov. 2 Nov. 1 Oct. 31 Oct. 30
State Championships ................................Fri.-Sat. 18 Nov. 8-9 Nov. 7-8 Nov. 6-7 Nov. 5-6
BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING
Diving Districts ........................................... Fri.-Sat. 18 Nov. 8-9 Nov. 7-8 Nov. 6-7 Nov. 5-6
State Championships ................................Thurs.-Sat. 19 Nov. 14-16 Nov. 13-15 Nov. 12-14 Nov. 11-13
BOYS SOCCER
Districts ......................................................Sat.-Tues. 17-19 Nov. 2-12 Nov. 1-11 Oct. 31-Nov. 10 Oct. 30-Nov. 9
Quarternals ..............................................Sat. 19 Nov. 16 Nov. 15 Nov. 14 Nov. 13
State Championships ................................Fri.-Sat. 20 Nov. 22-23 Nov. 21-22 Nov. 20-21 Nov. 19-20
Thanksgiving ...................................................Thurs. 21 Nov. 28 Nov. 27 Nov. 26 Nov. 25
FOOTBALL
Districts - First Round (All Classes) ........... Fri.-Sat. 17 Nov. 1-2 Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Oct. 30-31 Oct. 29-30
Districts - Second Round (All Classes) .....Fri.-Sat. 18 Nov. 8-9 Nov. 7-8 Nov. 6-7 Nov. 5-6
District Championships (All Classes) ........Fri.-Sat. 19 Nov. 15-16 Nov. 14-15 Nov. 13-14 Nov. 12-13
Quarternals (All Classes) ......................... Fri.-Sat. 20 Nov. 22-23 Nov. 21-22 Nov. 20-21 Nov. 19-20
Seminals (All Classes) ............................. Fri.-Sat. 21 Nov. 29-30 Nov. 28-29 Nov. 27-28 Nov. 26-27
Show-Me Bowl (All Classes) .....................Thurs.-Sat. 22 Dec. 6-7 Dec. 4-6 Dec. 3-5 Dec. 2-4
GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING
Diving Districts ........................................... Fri.-Sat. 32 Feb. 14-15 Feb. 13-14 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 11-12
State Championships ................................Thurs.-Sat. 33 Feb. 20-22 Feb. 19-21 Feb. 18-20 Feb. 17-19
WRESTLING
Districts - Girls ...........................................Fri.-Sat. 32 Feb. 14-15 Feb. 13-14 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 11-12
Districts - Boys ..........................................Fri.-Sat. 33 Feb. 21-22 Feb. 20-21 Feb. 19-20 Feb. 18-29
State Championships - Girls and Boys ...... Wed.-Sat. 34 Feb. 26-Mar. 1 Feb. 25-28 Feb. 24-27 Feb. 23-26
Page 160 2024-25 MSHSAA OFFICIAL HANDBOOK
PROJECTED CALENDAR, Page 2
Day Week 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
No.
BASKETBALL
Districts (Classes 1-3) ...............................Mon.-Sat. 34 Feb. 24-Mar. 1 Feb. 23-28 Feb. 22-27 Feb. 21-26
Sectionals-Boys (Classes 1-3) ..................Mon. 35 March 3 March 2 March 1 Feb. 28
Sectionals-Girls (Classes 1-3) ...................Tues. 35 March 4 March 3 March 2 Feb. 29
Quarternals-Boys (Classes 1-3) ..............Fri. 35 March 7 March 6 March 5 March 3
Quarternals-Girls (Classes 1-3) ...............Sat. 35 March 8 March 7 March 6 March 4
Show-Me Showdown I (Classes 1-3) ........Wed.-Sat. 36 March 12-15 March 11-14 March 10-13 March 8-11
Districts (Class 4) ......................................Mon.-Sat. 35 March 3-8 March 2-7 March 1-6 Feb. 28-Mar. 4
Districts (Classes 5-6) ...............................Wed.-Tues. 35-36 March 5-11 March 4-10 March 3-9 March 1-7
Sectionals-Boys (Class 4) .........................Mon. 36 March 10 March 9 March 8 March 6
Sectionals-Girls (Class 4) ..........................Tues. 36 March 11 March 10 March 9 March 7
Quarternals-Boys (Classes 4-6) ..............Fri. 36 March 14 March 13 March 12 March 10
Quarternals-Girls (Classes 4-6) ...............Sat. 36 March 15 March 14 March 13 March 11
Show-Me Showdown II (Classes 4-6) .......Wed.-Sat. 37 March 19-22 March 18-21 March 17-20 March 15-18
THEATRE
Close of District Meets ..............................Fri.-Sat. 37 March 21-22 March 20-21 March 19-20 March 17-18
State Championships ................................Wed.-Thurs. 42 April 23-24 April 22-23 April 21-22 April 19-20
SPEECH / DEBATE
Close of District Meets ..............................Fri.-Sat. 37 March 21-22 March 20-21 March 19-20 March 17-18
State Championships ................................Fri.-Sat. 42 April 25-26 April 24-25 April 23-24 April 21-22
MUSIC
Close of District Festivals ..........................Fri.-Sat. 38 March 28-29 March 27-28 *March 24-25 Mar. 24-25
State Festival ............................................. Thurs.-Sat. 43 May 1-3 April 30-May 2 April 29-May 1 April 27-29
SCHOLAR BOWL
Districts ......................................................Sat. 41 *April 12 April 18 April 17 *April 8
Quarternals ..............................................Tues. 43 *April 22 April 28 April 27 *April 18
State Championships (Classes 1-3) .........Fri. 44 May 9 May 8 May 7 May 5
State Championships (Classes 4-6) ..........Sat. 44 May 10 May 9 May 8 May 6
BOYS GOLF
Districts ......................................................Wed.-Fri./Mon. 44-45 May 7-9/12 May 6-8/11 May 5-7/10 May 3-5/8
State Championships ................................Mon.-Tues. 46 May 19-20 May 18-19 May 17-18 May 15-16
BOYS TENNIS
Individual Districts .....................................Sat. 43 May 3 May 2 May 1 April 29
Team Districts ............................................Mon.-Thurs. 44 May 5-8 May 4-7 May 3-6 May 1-4
Team Sectionals ........................................Mon.-Tues. 45 May 12-13 May 11-12 May 10-11 May 8-9
State Individual Championships ................Thurs.-Sat. 45 May 15-17 May 14-16 May 13-15 May 11-13
State Team Championships ......................Thurs.-Fri. 46 May 22-23 May 21-22 May 20-21 May 18-19
SOFTBALL - SPRING
Districts ......................................................Thurs.-Thurs. 44-45 May 8-15 May 7-14 May 6-13 May 4-11
Quarternals (Class 1-2) ...........................Tues. 46 May 20 May 19 May 18 May 16
State Championships ................................Mon.-Tues. 47 May 26-27 May 25-26 May 24-25 May 22-23
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Districts ......................................................Fri.-Fri. 44-45 May 9-16 May 8-15 May 7-14 May 5-12
Sectionals ..................................................Tues. 46 May 20 May 19 May 18 May 16
Quarternals ..............................................Thurs. 46 May 22 May 21 May 20 May 18
State Championships ................................Tues.-Wed. 47 May 27-28 May 26-27 May 25-26 May 23-24
TRACK AND FIELD
Districts (Classes 1-3) ...............................Sat. 44 May 10 May 9 May 8 May 6
Districts (Classes 4-5) ...............................Sat. 45 May 17 May 16 May 15 May 13
Sectionals (Classes 1-3) ...........................Sat. 45 May 17 May 16 May 15 May 13
State Championships (Classes 1-3) ..........Fri.-Sat. 46 May 23-24 May 22-23 May 21-22 May 19-20
Sectionals (Classes 4-5) ...........................Sat. 46 May 24 May 23 May 22 May 20
State Championships (Classes 4-5) ..........Fri.-Sat. 47 May 30-31 May 29-30 May 28-29 May 26-27
*Not held on regular standardized calendar week.
PROJECTED CALENDAR, Page 3
Day Week 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28
No.
BASEBALL
Districts (Classes 1-4) ...............................Thurs.-Sat. 45-46 May 15-24 May 14-23 May 13-22 May 11-20
Districts (Classes 5-6) ...............................Wed.-Mon. 46-47 May 21-26 May 20-25 May 19-24 May 17-22
Sectionals (Classes 1-2) ...........................Mon. 47 May 26 May 25 May 24 May 22
Sectionals (Classes 3-4) ...........................Tues. 47 May 27 May 26 May 25 May 23
Quarternals (Classes 1-2) .......................Wed. 47 May 28 May 27 May 26 May 24
Quarternals (Classes 3-4) .......................Thurs. 47 May 29 May 28 May 27 May 25
Quarternals (Classes 5-6) .......................Fri.-Sat. 47 May 30-31 May 29-30 May 28-29 May 26-27
State Championships (Classes 1-2) ..........Mon.-Tues. 48 June 2-3 June 1-2 May 31-June 1 May 29-30
State Championships (Classes 3-4) ..........Wed.-Thurs. 48 June 4-5 June 3-4 June 2-3 May 31-June 1
State Championships (Classes 5-6) ..........Fri.-Sat. 48 June 6-7 June 5-6 June 4-5 June 2-3
GIRLS SOCCER
Districts ......................................................Sat.-Tues. 45-47 May 17-27 May 16-26 May 15-25 May 13-23
Quarternals ..............................................Sat. 47 May 31 May 30 May 29 May 27
State Championships ................................Fri.-Sat. 48 June 6-7 June 5-6 June 4-5 June 2-3
Memorial Day ...................................................Mon. May 26 May 25 May 31 May 29
CHEER CLINICS
One-Day Cheer Clinics .............................. Mon.-Thurs. 50 June 16-19 June 15-18 June 14-17 June 12-15
ACT AND SAT TEST DATES: ACT TESTS 2024-25 SAT TESTS 2024-25
September 7 August 24
October 26 October 5
December 7 November 2
February 7 December 7
April 11 March 8
June 7 May 3
July 12 June 7
MSHSAA APPEALS COMMITTEE MEETING DATES
August Meeting .........................................Wed. 8 Aug. 28 Aug. 27 Aug. 26 Aug. 25
September Meeting ...................................Wed.-Thurs. 10 Sept. 11-12 Sept. 10-11 Sept. 9-10 Sept. 8-9
November Meeting ....................................Wed.-Thurs. 20 Nov. 20-21 Nov. 19-20 Nov. 18-19 Nov. 17-18
January Meeting..................................... ...Wed. 29 Jan. 22 Jan. 21 Jan. 20 Jan. 19
March Meeting ........................................... Tue.-Wed. 37 March 18-19 March 17-18 March 16-17 March 14-15
May Meeting ..............................................Wed. 45 May 14 May 13 May 12 May 10
MSHSAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING DATES
September Meeting ...................................Wed.-Thurs. 11 Sept. 18-19 Sept. 17-18 Sept. 16-17 Sept. 15-16
December Meeting ....................................Wed.-Thurs. 22 Dec. 4-5 Dec. 3-4 Dec. 2-3 Dec. 1-2
January Meeting ........................................Wed. 28 Jan. 15 Jan. 14 Jan. 13 Jan. 12
February Meeting ......................................Wed.-Thurs. 32 Feb. 12-13 Feb. 11-12 Feb. 10-11 Feb. 9-10
March Meeting ........................................... Fri. 36 March 14 March 13 March 12 March 10
April Meeting .............................................Fri.-Sat. 39 April 4-5 *April 10-11 April 2-3 *Apr. 7-8
June Meeting .............................................Tues.-Wed. 50 June 17-18 June 16-17 June 15-16 June 13-14
NEW MEMBER SCHOOL TRAINING ..............Mon.-Fri. 49-51 TBD TBD TBD TBD
*Not held on regular standardized calendar week.
MSHSAA promotes the value of participation, MSHSAA promotes the value of participation,
sportsmanship, team play and personal excellence to sportsmanship, team play and personal excellence to
develop citizens who make positive contributions to develop citizens who make positive contributions to
their community and support the democratic principles their community and support the democratic principles
of our state and nation.of our state and nation.
