Former MSHSAA Board Member Paul Sulser was presented with the Mal Mayse Distinguished Service Award during the MSHSAA Basketball Show-Me Showdown, recognizing a distinguished career marked by leadership, service and a lifelong commitment to Missouri high school athletics.
The Mal Mayse Distinguished Service Award is among the association’s highest honors. It recognizes individuals whose dedication and service have made a lasting impact on interscholastic activities throughout the state. Sulser’s career as an educator, coach and administrator exemplifies the values represented by the award.
A graduate of Ellington High School, Sulser began his career in education after earning degrees from Three Rivers Community College and Southeast Missouri State University, later completing advanced administrative degrees from Northwest Missouri State University. He devoted the first 20 years of his professional life to serving as a teacher, coach and athletic director before moving into school administration.
In 1998, Sulser accepted the position of assistant principal at Highland High School in Ewing, and one year later became principal, a role he held for ten years. He concluded a 35-year career in education as superintendent of the North Shelby School District, serving in that position for four years.
Sulser also made significant contributions at the state level. He served on the Principal’s Advisory Board for the State of Missouri and represented the Northeast District on the MSHSAA Board of Directors from 2008 to 2014, helping guide policy and decision-making for member schools across the state.
Before his administrative career, Sulser was widely known for his passion and competitive spirit as a basketball coach. His girls basketball teams at South Iron and North Shelby won six consecutive district championships and advanced to the Final Four twice, earning second and third place finishes at North Shelby.