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Organized in 1903, the Indiana High School Athletic
Association is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization that is self-supporting
without the use of tax monies.
Any high school in the state, or any junior high
school offering ninth grade, whether public, private, parochial, or
institutional, if accredited by the Indiana Department of Education, may become
a member of the Association by making a formal application that is authorized
by its board of education and by subscribing to the rules and By-Laws of the
Association.
Membership, once attained, is continuous providing
requirements are met and annual dues paid.
The purpose of the IHSAA is to encourage and direct
wholesome amateur athletics in the high schools of Indiana. In keeping with this mission, the
Association:
- Regulates, supervises
and administers interschool athletic activities among its 406 member high
schools as an integral part of the secondary education program. A
tournament series is sanctioned in 20 sports, 10 for girls and 10 for
boys. This school year, more than 160,000 students will compete in
IHSAA-sanctioned tournaments.
- Cooperates with all
agencies vitally concerned with the health and educational welfare of
secondary school students.
- Determines
qualifications of individual contestants, coaches and officials.
- Provides written
communications to facilitate athletic relations among member schools.
- Establishes standards
for eligibility, competition and sportsmanship while providing protection
against exploitation of schools or students.
The IHSAA is governed by its legislative body, the
Board of Directors. Composed of 18 members who are elected by member school
principals from three IHSAA legislative districts, the directors serve
staggered three-year terms. The Board of Directors meets annually with the
responsibility of establishing the Association's rules and regulations. Within
the Board of Directors is the Executive Committee, composed of directors
serving the second and third years of their three-year terms.
The Executive Committee meets monthly and is responsible for
organizing and directing state tournaments and meets, interpreting the
Association's By-Laws, determining penalties for rules violations, and
establishing the Association's state office and employing a commissioner and
staff to administer the Association.
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