Columbia, Mo.- The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has selected the Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo., to host its volleyball championships beginning in the 2025-26 school year. The agreement would also include the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years also.
In June, the MSHSAA Board of Directors accepted the hosting proposal from Cape Girardeau for hosting the 2023 and 2024 Volleyball Championships at the Show Me Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.
“It is an honor to host a Missouri State High School Activities Association State Championship in our community!”, said Director of Development and St. Joseph Sports Commission Brett Esely. “As part of the St. Joseph Sports Commission’s rebirth at the beginning of this year, our goal is to find the right fits and niches that thrive in our community in concert with sports of heavy interest. Volleyball participation in our area is huge, coupled with the success of our local high schools and other area teams, we feel St. Joseph and Civic Arena is the perfect fit for this event!”
Opened in 1980, the Civic Arena seats 3,750 fans. The arena has a multitude of events in its history including four NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championships (2003, 2004, 2010, 2011) and will host the 2023 & 2024 championship as well, two US Olympics Weightlifting trials, the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic, Hillyard Tip-Off Classic, MIAA Volleyball Championship, Missouri State High School Activities Association district and sectional competitions, Harlem Globetrotters along with being a civic hub for numerous other events serving the region.
"We are delighted to have communities come together in hosting our events. One of the highlights of any championship is to showcase the top-notch facilities we have in our state. Having worked with the St. Joseph community with other championships, we relish the opportunity to return."
The championship has been held at the Show-Me Center since 2011. Municipal Auditorium hosted the event from 2008-2010. The University of Central Missouri hosted from 1988-2007. Prior to the 1988 championship, the event was held at a variety of locations.
Currently the MSHSAA Volleyball Championships includes a total of 20 teams from across Missouri. Five classifications, with four teams each, crown a champion at the event.
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