photo from MSHSAA district layout for Class 6 football

Football and Basketball classification and district assignments for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons were released by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

For football, only schools with enrollments of 200 or less may choose to play in the 8-man division. In 11-man football, the largest 32 schools based on student enrollment in grades 9-12 are classified in Class 6, while the smallest 64 schools are assigned to Class 1. The next-largest 64 schools are then classified in Class 2, the next 64 in Class 3, and the next 64 in Class 4. The remaining schools are assigned to Class 5.  If two schools form a cooperative partnership, the enrollment of both schools combined are used to determine classification.  Beginning with the 2014 season, three schools may co-op in the 8-man class and the combined enrollment remains under 200.

In Basketball, the 128 schools with the smallest enrollments make up Class 1.  The next 128 schools would make up Class 2, with the next 128 making up Class 3.  The next 96 largest enrollments make up Class 4, while Class 5 includes all of the remaining schools.  All ties at any enrollment break remain with the smallest classification.  The enrollment breaks are based on the gender with the most registered teams.  Enrollments from schools with boys basketball teams were used for this cycle.

Click here for MSHSAA’s interactive maps

Football
Class 1
Class 2 
Class 3
Class 4
Class 5
Class 6
8-man

 

[Read more…]

Students cheer at a recent holiday tournament game between Helias and Father Tolton (photo/http://heliascatholic.zenfolio.com)

In an e-mail to superintendents, principals and athletic directors last week, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) sent a reminder in advance of the many holiday tournaments held every year across the state to be aware of chants and unsportsmanlike behavior. Nothing more, nothing less, than what has been shared across the membership via the Sportsmanship Manual dating back to 2005.

However, the national media caught wind of the email and turned it into a major story that has led to a student suspension for her reaction on Twitter, students protesting at games and even signing petitions.  You can read more on the WIAA issue from our sister network, Wisconsin Radio Network.

Jason West, Communications Director for MSHSAA, was at a regional meeting with his Wisconsin counterpart Todd Clark, who told West he sent out an email reminder about sportsmanship and nothing more was made about it.  West was surprised it created such a big controversy.

West talks with me about MSHSAA’s stance on sportsmanship when it comes to cheering at high school games and says the view of how fans should treat student-athletes doesn’t vary much from state to state.

Why we play?  MSHSAA wants to change the culture of high school sports and coaching.

MSHSAA recently held a summer athletic director’s meeting and the focus was based around three simple words “Why we play.”  The reality is wins and losses are the goal, but the true purpose of high school sports is to prepare kids for life, according to MSHSAA executive director Kerwin Urhahn.

97% of all kids who play high school sports are done playing on the next level.  Urhahn feels its important to get back to positive relationships and preparing kids for life after high school.

Urhahn is leading the way for MSHSAA and following the path started in Minnesota.  Ms. Jody Redman developed a cultural change for the Minnesota High School League based on a foundation of the book Inside Out Coaching, by Joe Ehrmann.

I sat down with Dr. Urhahn as he shares his passion for this new endeavor.  Informative for school administrators, parents and students.

WHY DO WE PLAY?

For many in our sports culture there is only one answer to this question—we play to WIN. MSHSAA agrees that there is some value in this answer.

·         Do we play so a high school student can develop physical skills, score 1000 points, and get a college scholarship—YES.

·         Do we play so a team can win a conference title—YES.

·         Do we play so high school students can have the experience of getting to and winning a state championship—YES.

But these reasons are simply not enough, and should not be the sole focus of interscholastic competition. The students participating in our programs need and deserve more. As important as our culture makes winning, scholarships and awards, these types of achievements don’t sustain a student’s life and they don’t develop their human potential. We must redirect our focus!

Officiate Missouri Day is July 25th

Jason West, Communications Director from MSHSAA, speaks from experience when he talks about how tough an individual needs to be to officiate a high school sporting event.  As you listen to Jason, you’ll be surprise to hear how many officials get hired to work and then are “one and done,” after putting up with cranky coaches, mouthy mothers and/or fussy fathers.

But if you think you have what it takes to become an official, Jason shares tips on how to get started.  Here is the link to apply for an officials job.  If you have any questions, you can contact MSHSAA directly at 573-875-4880.

Missouri was selected to host the 2015 National Association of Sports Officials Summit (NASO). In conjunction with this event, MSHSAA will host the first “Officiate Missouri Day”. This event will be an opportunity to learn from some of the most respected leaders in the officiating industry. This will be the largest gathering of sports officials in Missouri. Make sure you are a part of the history making experience.

[Read more…]

Jason West from MSHSAA

High school students and athletes have so much more on their plates than us adults did when we were growing up, especially when it comes to sports.  Now, everything is specialized, season’s are longer, training is harder and for those high school kids who still play multiple sports, the challenges and demands are even greater.

MSHSAA understands that point and next year will be lowering the number of days that students can practice and play over the summer from 25 to 20.  While football teams can still play 7-on-7 tournaments and basketball teams can still play over the summer, the goal is to get the kids some time to enjoy their summer vacations in 2016.

Jason West, Communications Director at MSHSAA, joins me to talk more about this subject, plus how the state is handling topics such as transgender athletes…a topic that has certainly come to the forefront, highlighted by Caitlyn Jenner.