NFHS Position Statement The Case for State High School Athletic/Activity Associations

HISTORY

The 51 NFHS-member state high school associations were organized in the early 20^th century to establish uniform playing rules, and address eligibility and health and safety concerns around students participating in education-based high school sports. For more than 100 years, these associations have been successfully promoting, regulating and directing interscholastic athletic programs. 

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

These state associations provide essential services that can only be offered by leaders focused on educational outcomes: structure for regular-season competition for schools, promotion of student safety/risk minimization, mental wellness programs, sportsmanship initiatives, state-culminating championships, consistent playing rules in concert with the NFHS, coaches education programs, recognition program, community service, promotion of multiple-sport participation and advocacy on key issues.   

ELIGIBILITY RULES ENFORCEMENT

State associations have eligibility and transfer rules in place that are designed for equitable and fair participation in interscholastic athletics and activity programs. These associations are essential for maintaining a structured and enriching environment for student-athletes. Their focus on safety, fairness, education and community impact ensures that high school sports and other activities remain a valuable and positive part of the educational experience.

EDUCATION FOCUS

NFHS-member state associations are governed by boards and committees composed of individuals within member schools – superintendents, principals, athletic directors, coaches and others – who have an educational focus to enforcing eligibility, playing and academic rules. Governance of high school sports by these 51 state associations ensures fairness and equal opportunity for all student-athletes because the goal of sports within our nation’s schools is not to prepare students first and foremost for playing sports after high school, but to mold high school students to be tomorrow’s leaders. To maintain the proper focus on sports within our nation’s schools, it is essential that NFHS-member state associations maintain control over education-based activity programs in our country.

SUMMARY

The NFHS believes that state high school associations that are education-focused and have been successfully directing high school sports for more than 100 years should continue to direct and operate these programs. The NFHS believes these programs should remain independent of state government involvement, so that the outcomes are not influenced by independent districts apart from the educational objectives of high school sports. Education-based sports programs are connected to classroom learning every day, and the 51 athletic/activity associations that govern activity programs have adopted eligibility, participation, transfer and academic rules consistent with their member schools that apply statewide. These are the only organizations capable of maintaining the educational focus on high school athletics and activity programs.