Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association
Encyclopedia
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) oversees and regulates interscholastic athletics in the US State of Delaware
. Membership is voluntary and as of spring 2006 includes 50 high schools and 23 middle schools.The DIAA is headquartered at the John W. Collette Education Resource Center in Dover
, the state capital.
In July 2002, the DSSAA was dissolved and the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association was created to fill the void. Its goals, objectives and responsibilities were the same as those of its predecessor.
The DIAA also sponsors the annual Sportsmanship Award, a non-competitive award for which any member school can qualify by submitting an application and satisfying ten performance criteria. The award recognizes good sportsmanship among the member schools. Past recipients include St. Andrew's School (1998), William Penn High School
(1998-2009), and Newark High School
(2003, 2004, and 2005). Recipients receive a banner in their school colors, a $500 grant, five state tournament passes, and guaranteed slots for two student delegates and one adult delegate to the NFHS Student Leadership Conference.
in July of each year.
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
. Membership is voluntary and as of spring 2006 includes 50 high schools and 23 middle schools.The DIAA is headquartered at the John W. Collette Education Resource Center in Dover
Dover, Delaware
The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware...
, the state capital.
History
Between 1947 and 1965, interscholastic athletics in Delaware was governed by the Delaware Association of Secondary Administrators (DASA), which also had other responsibilities beyond athletics. By the mid-1960s, the growth of interscholastic athletics had created the need for a separate governing body, and in 1966 the Delaware Secondary Schools Athletic Association (DSSAA) was formed.In July 2002, the DSSAA was dissolved and the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association was created to fill the void. Its goals, objectives and responsibilities were the same as those of its predecessor.
Administration and governance
The DIAA is led by the Executive Director, Kevin Charles, and a full-time secretary who together are responsible for day-to-day operations. The Executive Director also sits on the Board of Directors but does not vote.Committees
Standing committees make recommendations to the Board of Directors and are responsible for organizing and conducting state championships in their individual sports.- Rules and Regulations
- Sportsmanship
- Sports Medicine
- Officials
- Cross Country
- Girls’ Volleyball
- Field Hockey
- Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer
- Football
- Wrestling
- Swimming and Diving
- Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball
- Track and Field
- Boys’ and Girls’ Lacrosse
- Tennis
- Golf
- Softball
- Baseball
Certificates
The DIAA provides "scholar-athlete" certificates for students who maintain a 3.5 GPA and earn a varsity letter (high school) or who maintain grades of "B" or better in all subjects and are on an interscholastic team (middle school) during the season. "Tri-athlete" certificates are also provided for high school students who earn varsity letters in three different sports during the school year.Scholarships
The DIAA sponsors the annual Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards. Member schools select one male candidate and one female candidate who then apply for the awards. A selection committee reviews the applications and chooses a male and a female winner who receive a plaque and a $1,500 scholarship to the post-secondary institution of their choice. The selection committee also chooses a male and a female runner-up who receive a plaque and a $1,000 scholarship to the post-secondary institution of their choice.The DIAA also sponsors the annual Sportsmanship Award, a non-competitive award for which any member school can qualify by submitting an application and satisfying ten performance criteria. The award recognizes good sportsmanship among the member schools. Past recipients include St. Andrew's School (1998), William Penn High School
William Penn High School (Delaware)
William Penn High School, also known and referred to as William Penn or simply Penn is a four-year comprehensive, coeducational public high school located in New Castle, Delaware, United States. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and a member of the...
(1998-2009), and Newark High School
Newark High School (Delaware)
Newark High School is a public high school in Newark, Delaware and is one of three high schools within the Christina School District. It is also one of the oldest educational institutions in the state, graduating its first class of students in 1893. In 2009 it saw its 20,000th student graduate...
(2003, 2004, and 2005). Recipients receive a banner in their school colors, a $500 grant, five state tournament passes, and guaranteed slots for two student delegates and one adult delegate to the NFHS Student Leadership Conference.
Other recognitions
The DIAA also sponsors the attendance of 16 student delegates and four adult delegates to the NFHS Student Leadership Conference in IndianapolisIndianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
in July of each year.