The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is proud to announce Scott Allen as the recipient of the 2025 Mal Mayse Distinguished Service Award, honoring his decades-long dedication to academic excellence and student development through Scholar Bowl. Allen was recognized during the 2025 MSHSAA Scholar Bowl at the University of Missouri.
Scott Allen's career in education has been marked by his commitment and inspiring leadership. Born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Kearney, Mo., Allen’s journey as an educator began after earning his Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in chemistry from the University of Missouri in 1991. He returned to MU shortly after to earn his teaching certification in secondary science, setting the stage for an influential career that would span three decades.
Allen began teaching and coaching in the Bunceton School District in 1995. After the birth of his first daughter, Mercedes, in 1998, he stepped away from coaching sports to spend more time with his family. However, his passion for mentorship led him back to the sidelines — this time as the coach of the school’s Scholar Bowl team.
In 2002, Allen transitioned to the Hallsville School District, where he continued his educational and coaching career. From 2003 through his retirement in 2025, Allen served as the head coach of Hallsville’s Scholar Bowl team, guiding them to unprecedented success. Under his leadership, the team amassed over 1,300 career varsity wins, claimed 19 conference championships, and qualified for the state tournament 13 times. Impressively, his teams finished in the top four at state on 10 occasions, secured three state titles, and earned national acclaim, including a National Championship in 2014 and four top-four finishes at the national level.
Beyond his achievements on the buzzer, Allen has been a pillar of Missouri’s academic competition community. A 27-year member of the Missouri Academic Coaches Association (MACA), he served as the organization's president for a decade and was twice honored as MACA’s Coach of the Year. Since 2014, he has also contributed to the Missouri Quiz Bowl Alliance, reinforcing his commitment to expanding and enriching academic competition in the state.
Now retiring in June 2025, Scott Allen leaves behind a legacy of excellence, integrity and service.