About MSHSAA
The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) governs most middle and high school athletic and scholastic competition within the state of Missouri. Speech, Debate, and Theater is one of the activities that MSHSAA governs.
MSHSAA is governed by a Board that oversees all activities -- that board approves or denies any rules changes or by-law changes for all activities within MSHSAA's purview. Each activity also has an Advisory Board that debates rules and regulations, then makes recommendations for MSHSAA's governing board.
School affiliation with MSHSAA is handled by each schools Athletic or Activities Director. This process is not initiated by individual head coaches; instead, the AD identifies to MSHSAA who the head and assistant coaches of each team are at the beginning of each school year.
MSHSAA is divided into regions throughout the state. Middle and high schools in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson City High School are all in MSHSAA District #4. Each district is headed by:
The MSHSAA headquarters staff host the prestigious Speech, Debate, and Theatre State Tournament each year which determines state championships.
Most local tournaments follow the "MSHSAA Event Rules" with only minor deviations when in conflict with NSDA rules. Always check the invitation for specific information.
MSHSAA recognizes the following events:
MSHSAA is governed by a Board that oversees all activities -- that board approves or denies any rules changes or by-law changes for all activities within MSHSAA's purview. Each activity also has an Advisory Board that debates rules and regulations, then makes recommendations for MSHSAA's governing board.
School affiliation with MSHSAA is handled by each schools Athletic or Activities Director. This process is not initiated by individual head coaches; instead, the AD identifies to MSHSAA who the head and assistant coaches of each team are at the beginning of each school year.
MSHSAA is divided into regions throughout the state. Middle and high schools in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and Jefferson City High School are all in MSHSAA District #4. Each district is headed by:
- A District Tournament Manager who runs an annual "MSHSAA District Tournament" which serves as the state qualifying tournament.
- A Speech, Debate, and Theatre Advisory Representative who serves as the liaison between the local coaches and the MSHSSA Speech, Debate, and Theatre Advisory Board.
The MSHSAA headquarters staff host the prestigious Speech, Debate, and Theatre State Tournament each year which determines state championships.
Most local tournaments follow the "MSHSAA Event Rules" with only minor deviations when in conflict with NSDA rules. Always check the invitation for specific information.
MSHSAA recognizes the following events:
SPEECH
International Extemp US Extemp Oratory Radio Prose Poetry Storytelling Humorous Interp Dramatic Interp Duo Interp Duet Acting |
DEBATE
Public Forum Debate Policy Debate Lincoln-Douglas Debate THEATRE
Readers' Theatre One Act Play |