Columbia, Mo. – At its September Board Meeting, the Missouri State High School Activities Association Board of Directors selected venues for future MSHSAA championships.  The Board discussed sites which submitted proposals to host the basketball, soccer, track and field, as well as wrestling championships.

“The Board of Directors had very difficult decisions to make,” said Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, MSHSAA Executive Director.  “The decision of choosing a championship site is made difficult because there are some fantastic venues across the state of Missouri.  It is very empowering to see the level of excitement these communities and venues are showing us when submitting proposals to host MSHSAA championship events.”

Three outlets submitted proposals to host the Show-Me Showdowns, the MSHSAA basketball championships, beginning with the 2013-14 school year.  The venues suggested to be used in the bids included the JQH Arena and Hammons Student Center in Springfield; Mizzou Arena and Hearnes Center in Columbia; and the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis.

On a 7-2 vote, the Board choose a three-year option at Mizzou Arena and Hearnes Center in Columbia.  This would keep the basketball championships in Columbia through the 2015-16 school year.

Three outlets also submitted proposals to host the MSHSAA Soccer Championships for both the boys championships in the Fall and the girls championships in the Spring.  The venues suggested in the proposals included the The Soccer Park in Fenton, Blue Springs South High School and the Cooper Fields at the Lake Country Soccer Complex in Springfield.

With one Board member abstaining, the Board voted 7-1 to play both the boys and girls championships using facilities at the Blue Springs School District for three years.  Beginning with the boys championships this Fall through the girls championships in the Spring of 2014, the semifinals and finals will be played in the Kansas City area for the first time ever.

The Board also unanimously approved proposals from Mizzou Arena as the host of the wrestling championships and Lincoln University as the host of the track and field championships.  Both events will be through the 2017-2018 academic years.