COLUMBIA – The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is pleased to announce the results of the 2025 Annual Ballot. The following proposals were voted on by the member schools.
“This ballot represents our ongoing commitment to governance and the advancement of interscholastic activities across Missouri,” MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad said. “Each proposed amendment to the MSHSAA Constitution and By-Laws has been carefully developed through our advisory committee process or brought forward by our board of directors to ensure our policies remain responsive, relevant and reflective of our member schools’ needs.”
Proposal 1: Addition of Non-Public Schools Accreditation Body
Amendment to Article III, Section 1.d to include the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) as an accreditation body for non-public schools.
- Yes: 253 votes (68.9%)
- No: 114 votes (31.1%)
Proposal 2: Sanctioning Requirements and Penalties
Addition of By-Laws 1.1.5 and 1.1.6 regarding tournament, meet, multiple contest competitive/evaluative event sanction regulations and related penalties.
- Yes: 332 votes (90.5%)
- No: 35 votes (9.5%)
Proposal 3: Junior High Cooperative Sponsorships
Amendment to By-Law 1.4.2.f allowing voided cooperative agreements to sponsor their own teams if no combined practices have occurred. (Voted by only combined schools and junior highs)
- Yes: 209 votes (97.2%)
- No: 6 votes (2.8%)
Proposal 4: Freshmen-Only Team Age Restrictions
Amendment to By-Law 3.5.1 to remove age restrictions for freshmen-only teams. (Voted by only high schools and combined schools)
- Yes: 267 votes (78.3%)
- No: 74 votes (21.7%)
Proposal 5: Junior High Age Restriction
Amendment to By-Law 3.5.2 to prohibit 4th and 5th graders from competing against 6th grade and above, with exceptions for overage students. (Voted by only combined schools and junior highs)
- Yes: 184 votes (85.6%)
- No: 31 votes (14.4%)
Proposal 6: Girls Soccer and Fall Non-School Competition Exception
Amendment to By-Law 3.13.2 to adjust the Fall Non-School Competition Exception and add one for girls soccer. (Voted by only schools participating in specified fall sports)
- Yes: 284 votes (83.8%)
- No: 55 votes (16.2%)
Proposal 7: Individual Wrestler Limits – High School
Amendment to By-Law 3.26.2 to increase the seasonal match limit for high school wrestlers from 45 to 50. (Voted by only high schools and combined schools with wrestling)
- Yes: 134 votes (85.9%)
- No: 22 votes (14.1%)
Proposal 8: Addition of Girls Flag Football as an Emerging Sport
Amendment to By-Law 5.2.6 to designate Girls Flag Football as a MSHSAA emerging sport.
- Yes: 271 votes (73.8%)
- No: 96 votes (26.2%)
Proposal 9: Addition of Unified Track & Field as an Emerging Sport
Amendment to By-Law 5.2.6 to designate Unified Track & Field as a MSHSAA emerging sport.
- Yes: 301 votes (82.0%)
- No: 66 votes (18.0%)
Proposal 10: Review by MSHSAA Office for Specific Ejections
Amendment to By-Law 5.5.1 to allow appeals for specific ejection scenarios such as kicks, strikes, fights or substitutes leaving the bench during altercations.
- Yes: 324 votes (88.3%)
- No: 43 votes (11.7%)
The board will officially certify these results at its upcoming meeting in June. Once certified, the results will take effect on July 1, 2025. However, Proposals 8 and 9 will become effective immediately for registration purposes.
You can download a PDF copy of this press release here.