Athletics & Activities — Missouri K-12 Education Reference

Table of Contents

1. MSHSAA Overview
2. Athletic Eligibility
3. Transfer & Eligibility Rules
4. Title IX in Athletics
5. Concussion Protocol
6. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness
7. Heat Illness Prevention
8. Fine Arts Activities
9. Student Organizations & Clubs
10. Activity Fund Management
11. Coaching Requirements
12. Homeschool & Virtual Student Participation

1. MSHSAA Overview

Missouri State High School Activities Association

MSHSAA is the governing body for interscholastic athletics and activities in Missouri public and some private high schools.

MSHSAA Governance

• Voluntary membership organization (not a state agency)
• Member schools agree to abide by MSHSAA bylaws and regulations
• Board of Directors elected by member schools
• Rules adopted by member vote
• Appeals process through MSHSAA committees and board

Sanctioned Activities

Athletics: baseball, basketball (boys/girls), bowling, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer (boys/girls), softball, swimming/diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water polo, wrestling

Activities: academic competitions, band, chess, choir, debate/forensics, drama/theater, journalism/publications, math/science competitions, scholar bowl, speech, spirit squads (competitive cheer/dance), student council

2. Athletic Eligibility

Academic Eligibility (MSHSAA Bylaw 2)

• Student must be enrolled in and attending school
• Must have earned 3.0 units of credit the preceding semester (or be on track to graduate)
• Must be currently enrolled in courses that, if passed, would earn 3.0 units of credit
• Must maintain academic eligibility throughout the season (districts may impose higher standards)

Age Eligibility

• Student must be under 19 years of age as of July 1 of the current school year
• Students who turn 19 before July 1 are ineligible for the entire year

Semesters of Eligibility

• Maximum 8 semesters of eligibility in high school (grades 9-12)
• Semesters are consecutive from first enrollment in 9th grade (does not pause for non-enrollment)
• A student who repeats a grade does NOT gain additional semesters

Enrollment Requirements

• Must be enrolled full-time (or in a number of courses that would constitute full-time per district policy)
• Must attend school regularly
• Must not have graduated from a four-year high school

Amateur Status

Students must maintain amateur status — cannot receive compensation for participation in MSHSAA-sanctioned sports (rules around NIL for college differ from high school)

Physical Examination

• Annual physical examination required before participation (MSHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation form)
• Must be dated after February 1 of the current calendar year
• Conducted by a licensed physician, DO, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant

3. Transfer & Eligibility Rules

Transfer Rule (Bylaw 3)

Students who transfer schools are subject to a 365-day period of ineligibility for varsity competition, UNLESS they meet one of the recognized exceptions:

Common Exceptions

Transfer Verification

• Receiving school must complete a transfer form
• Sending school verifies enrollment dates, eligibility status, and any disciplinary issues
• MSHSAA reviews contested or complex transfer cases

Recruiting Prohibition

• Recruiting or inducing a student to transfer for athletic purposes is prohibited
• Violations can result in sanctions against the school, coach, and student

4. Title IX in Athletics

Equal Opportunity Requirements

Title IX requires schools receiving federal funds to provide equal athletic opportunities regardless of sex. This includes:

Three-Part Test (OCR Compliance)

Schools must meet ONE of these tests:

1. Proportionality: participation opportunities are substantially proportionate to enrollment by gender
2. History of expansion: the school has a history and continuing practice of expanding opportunities for the underrepresented sex
3. Full accommodation: the interests and abilities of the underrepresented sex are fully and effectively accommodated

Equal Treatment Areas

Title IX requires equitable (not necessarily identical) treatment in:

• Equipment and supplies
• Scheduling of games and practice times
• Travel and per diem
• Coaching (quality and compensation)
• Locker rooms, practice, and competition facilities
• Publicity and media
• Medical and training facilities
• Recruitment (at college level)

Transgender Student Athletes

Policies continue evolving. MSHSAA has adopted policies for transgender student-athlete participation. Districts and schools should consult current MSHSAA guidelines and legal counsel.

5. Concussion Protocol

Missouri Return-to-Play Act (RSMo 167.765)

Enacted 2011 (amended 2021). Key requirements:

Requirements

1. Information sheet: each school year, schools must provide concussion/head injury information to students and parents/guardians before the student participates in athletics or cheerleading
2. Removal from play: any student suspected of sustaining a concussion during practice or competition must be immediately removed from participation
3. No same-day return: student may NOT return to participation on the same day as the suspected concussion
4. Written clearance required: student may NOT return to participation until they have been evaluated and received written clearance from a licensed health care provider (physician, DO, or advanced practice provider trained in concussion evaluation)
5. Graduated return-to-play protocol: must follow a step-by-step return-to-activity progression

Return-to-Play Steps (Standard Protocol)

If symptoms recur at any step, return to previous step.

Return-to-Learn

Students recovering from concussion may also need academic accommodations:

• Reduced workload, extended time, quiet testing environment
• Modified screen time
• Excused absences during recovery
• 504 plan or temporary accommodation plan may be appropriate

6. Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness

RSMo 167.775 (Lindsay's Law — Missouri)

• Schools must provide sudden cardiac arrest awareness information to students and parents before participation in athletics
• Coaches must complete training in recognizing signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest
• Student who shows signs of cardiac distress must be removed from activity and may not return until cleared by a physician

AED Requirements

• MSHSAA recommends (and many districts require) Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at all athletic venues
• Staff trained in CPR/AED use should be present at practices and competitions
• Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for each athletic venue should include AED location and use

7. Heat Illness Prevention

MSHSAA Heat Policy

• MSHSAA provides guidelines for heat acclimatization (especially for fall sports like football)
• Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) monitoring recommended
• Activity modifications based on heat index/WBGT readings
• Mandatory hydration breaks
• New football players: gradual increase in equipment and contact during first weeks of practice

Heat Index Activity Guidelines (MSHSAA)

8. Fine Arts Activities

MSHSAA Fine Arts

• District and state competitions in: band, choir, orchestra, speech/debate/forensics, drama, journalism
• Academic eligibility rules apply to fine arts competitors
• MSHSAA sets competition rules, schedules, and classification

Music Education

• Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) coordinates All-State ensembles and festivals
• Missouri Learning Standards for Fine Arts (2007) guide curriculum
• Music teacher certification: K-12 Music Education certificate

Speech, Debate, & Theatre

• Competitive categories include: original oratory, informative speaking, dramatic/humorous interpretation, duo interpretation, Lincoln-Douglas debate, policy debate, Congress, poetry
• State tournament administered by MSHSAA
• National qualification through NSDA (National Speech and Debate Association)

9. Student Organizations & Clubs

Types

Equal Access Act (20 U.S.C. §4071)

• Public secondary schools that allow any non-curriculum-related student groups must allow ALL such groups equal access to facilities and resources
• Schools cannot deny a group based on the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the group's speech
• Groups must be student-initiated and student-led
• School staff may be present but cannot control or direct the group
• Groups must be voluntary; no compelled participation

Advisor Requirements

• Student organizations should have a faculty/staff advisor
• Advisor provides supervision but does not lead the group
• Advisor must meet any background check requirements
• CTE organizations (FFA, FBLA, DECA, etc.) are typically led by the CTE teacher as advisor

10. Activity Fund Management

Activity Fund Accounting

School activity funds (student organizations, athletics, fine arts) must follow district financial policies:

• Proper receipt and deposit procedures
• Two-signature requirement for disbursements
• Regular reconciliation and reporting
• Subject to annual audit
• Funds belong to the student organization, not individual students or advisors
• Carry-over between school years is subject to board policy

Booster Organizations

• Booster clubs (parent-run) are separate legal entities from the school district
• Must follow IRS rules for nonprofit organizations (if 501(c)(3))
• District should have a written policy governing booster club relationships
• Booster funds donated to the school become school property and must follow district financial procedures
• District maintains authority over how donated funds are used for the program

Gate Receipts & Fundraising

• Gate receipts from athletic events are typically deposited into the school activity fund
• Fundraising by student organizations must comply with district policy
• State sales tax may apply to certain fundraising activities
• Online fundraising (GoFundMe, etc.) should be coordinated through district procedures

11. Coaching Requirements

Certification

• Head coaches of MSHSAA-sanctioned sports should hold a valid Missouri teaching certificate OR meet MSHSAA's requirements for non-certified coaches
• Non-certified coaches (community coaches, walk-ons): MSHSAA allows limited use with district approval; must complete required training modules
• All coaches must complete annual training including: CPR/AED, concussion recognition, heat illness prevention, sport-specific safety

Coach Conduct

• MSHSAA Code of Ethics for coaches
• Mandatory reporting obligations (coaches are mandated reporters under RSMo 210.115)
• Appropriate relationship boundaries with student athletes
• Title IX compliance in coaching and program management
• MSHSAA sportsmanship expectations and ejection consequences

12. Homeschool & Virtual Student Participation

Missouri Law

Missouri does not have a statewide law requiring public school districts to allow homeschool students to participate in MSHSAA activities.

District Policy

• Individual districts may adopt policies allowing homeschool students to participate in extracurriculars (board discretion)
• MSHSAA allows member schools to apply local eligibility standards to homeschool students
• Virtual school students: eligibility determined by resident district in coordination with the virtual school

Eligibility for Homeschool Students (If District Allows)

Districts that choose to allow participation typically require:

• Verification of academic work (transcript or portfolio)
• Age and residency requirements
• Physical examination (same as enrolled students)
• Agreement to follow team/activity rules and MSHSAA bylaws
• Regular meeting with a school counselor or designated liaison