Will the state of Missouri have fishing become a MSHSAA sanctioned state championship (photo/http://missourihighschoolanglers.com)

Will the state of Missouri have fishing become a MSHSAA sanctioned state championship? (photo/missourihighschoolanglers.com)

On this week’s visit with Jason West, the Communications Director for MSHSAA, I want to talk about sports, or in this case activities, that are on the rise but need more schools from around the state to build support in order for MSHSAA to recognize it as a full fledged activity.

Bass fishing, bowling, chess and target shooting are in a three-year plan in which MSHSAA must see 50 schools participating in the activity and have at least three of the eight board districts included.

“Those are activities that are on a trial basis to see if they are going to become championship level of events,” said West.

Bass fishing has 30 schools that are registered and leads all activities in terms of which activity has the highest participation.

As a student or parent, if you would like to see an activity or sport reach championship status through MSHSAA, the best place to start is by contacting your local athletic director to begin a grass roots effort.