National Federation of State High School Associations
Overview
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
that writes the rules of competition
Regulation of sport
The regulation of sport is usually done by a regulatory agency for each sport, resulting in a core of relatively invariant, agreed rules. People responsible for leisure activities often seek recognition and respectability as sports by joining sports federations such as the International Olympic...
for most high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
sports and activities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Most high schools, whether public or private
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, belong to their state's high school association; in turn, each state association belongs to the NFHS. Over 17,000 high schools belong to associations that are members of the NFHS. NFHS's headquarters are located in White River State Park
White River State Park
White River State ParkDesignationState ParkLocationIndianapolis, Indiana USANearest CityIndianapolis, IndianaArea Date of Establishment1979Governing Body...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
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...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
However, in states that have separate associations for public and non-public high schools, only the public-school bodies are NFHS members.
Unanswered Questions
Encyclopedia
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the body
that writes the rules of competition
for most high school
sports and activities in the United States
. Most high schools, whether public or private
, belong to their state's high school association; in turn, each state association belongs to the NFHS. Over 17,000 high schools belong to associations that are members of the NFHS. NFHS's headquarters are located in White River State Park
in Indianapolis
, Indiana
.
However, in states that have separate associations for public and non-public high schools, only the public-school bodies are NFHS members. For example, the Texas
University Interscholastic League
(public schools, with non-public schools generally not allowed) is a member, while the associations governing non-public schools, the largest of which is the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
, are not. Similarly, the Virginia High School League
, open only to public schools, is a member, while the state's parallel associations for non-public schools are not. The same is the case in Mississippi
, where the body governing public schools is a member, while the body governing private schools is not.
Iowa has separate governing associations for boys' and girls' sports – the Iowa High School Athletic Association
and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union
. Only the Iowa High School Athletic Association is a full member of the NFHS; the girls' governing body is an affiliate member.
The NFHS publishes rules books for each sport or activity, and most states adopt those rules wholly for state high school competition.
The NFHS offered an online Coach Education Program in January 2007. It released a course, Fundamentals of Coaching. The NFHS has announced that it will offer a National Coach Certification in September 2009. This will enable to coaches to become a Level 1 - Accredited Interscholastic Coach issued by the NFHS.
Started in 1982, the National High School Hall of Fame
honors high-school athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, fine arts coaches/directors and others for their achievements and accomplishments in high-school sports and activity programs.
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
that writes the rules of competition
Regulation of sport
The regulation of sport is usually done by a regulatory agency for each sport, resulting in a core of relatively invariant, agreed rules. People responsible for leisure activities often seek recognition and respectability as sports by joining sports federations such as the International Olympic...
for most high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
sports and activities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Most high schools, whether public or private
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, belong to their state's high school association; in turn, each state association belongs to the NFHS. Over 17,000 high schools belong to associations that are members of the NFHS. NFHS's headquarters are located in White River State Park
White River State Park
White River State ParkDesignationState ParkLocationIndianapolis, Indiana USANearest CityIndianapolis, IndianaArea Date of Establishment1979Governing Body...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
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...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
However, in states that have separate associations for public and non-public high schools, only the public-school bodies are NFHS members. For example, the Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
University Interscholastic League
University Interscholastic League
The University Interscholastic League is an organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, music, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in the American state of Texas....
(public schools, with non-public schools generally not allowed) is a member, while the associations governing non-public schools, the largest of which is the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, or TAPPS, is an organization headquartered in Salado, Texas which creates rules for, and sometimes administers, almost all athletic and academic contests for non-public high schools in the American state of Texas...
, are not. Similarly, the Virginia High School League
Virginia High School League
The Virginia High School League is the arbiter of interscholastic competition among public high schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unlike similar organizations in many other states, private or religious schools are prohibited from joining. Non-public schools belong to other organizations,...
, open only to public schools, is a member, while the state's parallel associations for non-public schools are not. The same is the case in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, where the body governing public schools is a member, while the body governing private schools is not.
Iowa has separate governing associations for boys' and girls' sports – the Iowa High School Athletic Association
Iowa High School Athletic Association
The Iowa High School Athletic Association is the regulating body for male Iowa high school interscholastic athletics and is a full member of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Its female counterpart, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, is an associate member...
and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union
Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union
The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union is the governing body for girls' junior and senior high school sports in the U.S. state of Iowa. The association promotes and regulates interscholastic sports among its member schools...
. Only the Iowa High School Athletic Association is a full member of the NFHS; the girls' governing body is an affiliate member.
The NFHS publishes rules books for each sport or activity, and most states adopt those rules wholly for state high school competition.
The NFHS offered an online Coach Education Program in January 2007. It released a course, Fundamentals of Coaching. The NFHS has announced that it will offer a National Coach Certification in September 2009. This will enable to coaches to become a Level 1 - Accredited Interscholastic Coach issued by the NFHS.
Member associations
- Alabama High School Athletic AssociationAlabama High School Athletic AssociationThe Alabama High School Athletic Association , based in Montgomery, is the agency which oversees interscholastic athletic programs for public schools in Alabama....
- Alaska School Activities AssociationAlaska School Activities AssociationThe Alaska School Activities Association is the regulating body for Alaska high school interscholastic activities and is Alaska's member to the National Federation of State High School Associations.-History:...
- Arizona Interscholastic AssociationArizona Interscholastic AssociationThe Arizona Interscholastic Association is the major high school sports association in the state of Arizona. It comprises most of the state's public district high schools, various charter and private schools, plus one high school in California San Pasqual High School in Winterhaven, California,...
- Arkansas Activities AssociationArkansas Activities AssociationThe Arkansas Activities Association is the primary sanctioning body for high school sports in state of Arkansas. AAA is a member association of the National Federation of State High School Associations...
- California Interscholastic FederationCalifornia Interscholastic FederationThe California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
- Colorado High School Activities AssociationColorado High School Activities AssociationThe Colorado High School Activities Association is the governing body for all high school activities throughout the state of Colorado. It was founded in 1921, and currently has a membership of 328 full-time high schools, plus more than 50 middle and junior high schools, for a total of almost 400...
- Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference
- Delaware Interscholastic Athletic AssociationDelaware Interscholastic Athletic AssociationThe Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association 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...
- District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association
- Florida High School Athletic AssociationFlorida High School Athletic AssociationThe Florida High School Athletic Association is an organization whose purpose is to organize sports competition for high school It is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations ....
- Georgia High School AssociationGeorgia High School AssociationThe Georgia High School Association governs athletic and club events for member high schools in Georgia, USA. The GHSA is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations. The association comprises 437 public and private high schools...
- Hawaii High School Athletic AssociationHawaii High School Athletic AssociationHawaii High School Athletic Association is made up of 92 public and private high schools in the state of Hawaii. HHSAA was founded in 1956...
- Idaho High School Activities AssociationIdaho High School Activities AssociationThe Idaho High School Activities Association oversees high school athletics in the state of Idaho. Idaho high schools are classified in five categories based on their enrollment...
- Illinois High School AssociationIllinois High School AssociationThe Illinois High School Association is one of 521 state high school associations in the United States, designed to regulate competition in most interscholastic sports and some interscholastic activities at the high school level. It is a charter member of the National Federation of State High...
- Indiana High School Athletic AssociationIndiana High School Athletic AssociationThe Indiana High School Athletic Association is the arbiter of interscholastic competition among public and private high schools in the State of Indiana. It monitors a system that divides athletically-competing high schools in Indiana based on the school's enrollment. The divisions, known as...
- Iowa High School Athletic AssociationIowa High School Athletic AssociationThe Iowa High School Athletic Association is the regulating body for male Iowa high school interscholastic athletics and is a full member of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Its female counterpart, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, is an associate member...
- Kansas State High School Activities AssociationKansas State High School Activities AssociationThe Kansas State High School Activities Association is the organization which oversees interscholastic competition in the state of Kansas at the high school level. It oversees both athletic and non-athletic competition, and sponsors championships in several sports and activities.The KSHSAA was...
- Kentucky High School Athletic AssociationKentucky High School Athletic AssociationThe Kentucky High School Athletic Association has been the governing body of Kentucky high school athletics since 1917. Located in Lexington, the organization sanctions competition in the following sports:*Boys and girls**Basketball**Bowling*...
- Louisiana High School Athletic AssociationLouisiana High School Athletic AssociationThe Louisiana High School Athletic Association is the agency which regulates and promotes the interscholastic athletic competitions of all high schools in the state of Louisiana.- Organization :...
- Maine Principals' AssociationMaine Principals' AssociationThe Maine Principals’ Association is the governing body for sports competitions among all public and some private high schools in the state of Maine. It is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations...
- Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic AssociationMaryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic AssociationMaryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Associationor , is the association that oversees public high school sporting contests in the state of Maryland. Organized in 1946, MPSSAA is made up of public high schools from each of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City...
- Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic AssociationMassachusetts Interscholastic Athletic AssociationThe Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association , comprising 365 high schools in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, is an organization that sponsors activities in more than thirty sports. The MIAA is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations , which writes the rules...
- Michigan High School Athletic AssociationMichigan High School Athletic Association-About:The Michigan High School Athletic Association is a service organization for high school sports in Michigan and is headquartered in East Lansing...
- Minnesota State High School LeagueMinnesota State High School LeagueThe Minnesota State High School League is a voluntary, non-profit association for the support and governance of interscholastic activities at high schools in Minnesota, United States. The association supports interscholastic athletics and fine arts programs for member schools...
- Mississippi High School Activities AssociationMississippi High School Activities AssociationThe Mississippi High School Activities Association is the official sanctioning body of all public and some private junior high and high school academic and athletic competitions in the State of Mississippi. It is a non-profit organization and is headquartered in Clinton, Mississippi...
- Missouri State High School Activities AssociationMissouri State High School Activities AssociationThe Missouri State High School Activities Association is the governing body for high school activities throughout the state of Missouri...
- Montana High School AssociationMontana High School AssociationThe Montana High School Association is the governing body of high school athletics in the state of Montana. It was founded in 1921 and today consists of 180+ member schools....
- Nebraska School Activities AssociationNebraska School Activities AssociationThe Nebraska School Activities Association is the organization which oversees interscholastic competition in the state of Nebraska at the high school level. The mission statement of the NSAA is:-Classification:...
- Nevada Interscholastic Activities AssociationNevada Interscholastic Activities AssociationThe Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association is the governing body of athletic programs for high schools in the state of Nevada...
- New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic AssociationNew Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic AssociationThe New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association is the governing body for sports competitions among all public and some private high schools in New Hampshire...
- New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic AssociationNew Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic AssociationThe New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...
- New Mexico Activities AssociationNew Mexico Activities AssociationThe New Mexico Activities Association is a nonprofit organization that regulates interscholastic programs for junior and senior high schools in New Mexico. It hosts the statewide sports championship games each year...
- New York State Public High School Athletic AssociationNew York State Public High School Athletic AssociationThe New York State Public High School Athletic Association is the governing body of interscholastic sports for many schools in New York. It consists of 768 member high schools from the state divided into 11 numbered sections...
- North Carolina High School Athletic AssociationNorth Carolina High School Athletic AssociationThe North Carolina High School Athletic Association is the governing organization of high school athletics in North Carolina, United States. The association maintains the official rule books and governs the officiating standards across the state....
- North Dakota High School Activities AssociationNorth Dakota High School Activities AssociationThe North Dakota High School Activities Association is the governing body for North Dakota high school athletics and fine arts. In many athletics, the state's teams are divided into Class A and Class B . One exception to this is football, which is divided into four divisions: AAA, AA, A, and 9-man...
- Ohio High School Athletic AssociationOhio High School Athletic AssociationThe Ohio High School Athletic Association is the governing body of athletic programs for junior and senior high schools in the state of Ohio...
- Oklahoma Secondary School Activities AssociationOklahoma Secondary School Activities AssociationThe Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association , is an organization which organizes secondary school activities at the state level, such as sports, speech tournaments, and music competitions. Derald Glover is its president. The OSSAA is a member of the National Federation of State High School...
- Oregon School Activities AssociationOregon School Activities AssociationThe Oregon School Activities Association is a non-profit, board-governed organization that regulates high school athletics and competitive activities via athletic conferences in the U.S. state of Oregon, providing equitable competition among its members, both public and private...
- Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic AssociationPennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic AssociationThe Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....
- Rhode Island Interscholastic LeagueRhode Island Interscholastic LeagueThe Rhode Island Interscholastic League is the organization that runs and regulates all interscholastic high school activities in the U.S. state of Rhode Island...
- South Carolina High School LeagueSouth Carolina High School LeagueThe South Carolina High School League is the organization that rules and regulates school athletics in the state of South Carolina....
- South Dakota High School Activities AssociationSouth Dakota High School Activities AssociationSouth Dakota High School Activities Association governs high school sports and other activities in the state of South Dakota. The SDHSAA was founded in 1906 and has been a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations since 1923....
- Tennessee Secondary School Athletic AssociationTennessee Secondary School Athletic AssociationThe Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association is an organization which administers junior and senior high school sporting events in Tennessee.-Description:...
- University Interscholastic LeagueUniversity Interscholastic LeagueThe University Interscholastic League is an organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, music, and academic contests for public primary and secondary schools in the American state of Texas....
(Texas) - Utah High School Activities AssociationUtah High School Activities AssociationThe Utah High School Activities Association is an organization of 131 high schools in the U.S. state of Utah that sponsor athletic activities in 25 sports and activities. More than 50,000 students compete annually in approximately 25,000 competitions among UHSAA member schools...
- Vermont Principals' AssociationVermont Principals' AssociationThe Vermont Principals' Association is an organization of over 300 schools in the U.S. state of Vermont that sponsor activities in numerous sports and activities. The VPA is a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations , which writes the rules for most U.S...
- Virginia High School LeagueVirginia High School LeagueThe Virginia High School League is the arbiter of interscholastic competition among public high schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unlike similar organizations in many other states, private or religious schools are prohibited from joining. Non-public schools belong to other organizations,...
- Washington Interscholastic Activities AssociationWashington Interscholastic Activities AssociationThe Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is the governing body of athletics and activities for secondary education schools in the state of Washington...
- West Virginia Secondary School Activities CommissionWest Virginia Secondary School Activities CommissionThe West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission is the main governing body of high school sports, cheerleading, and marching bands in West Virginia. Schools are divided into three classes by total enrollment in grades 9-11 only: A , AA , and AAA ...
- Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic AssociationWisconsin Interscholastic Athletic AssociationThe Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is the regulatory body for all high school sports in Wisconsin. Its history dates to 1895, making it the first high school athletic organization in the country...
- Wyoming High School Activities AssociationWyoming High School Activities AssociationThe Wyoming High School Activities Association is the organization that runs and regulates all interscholastic high school activities in the U.S. state of Wyoming....
NFHS National High School Hall of Fame
- See also: U.S. high-school baseball awards
Started in 1982, the National High School Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
honors high-school athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, fine arts coaches/directors and others for their achievements and accomplishments in high-school sports and activity programs.
- Year-by-year inductions
- Inductions by state
See also
- Gatorade Player of the Year awardsGatorade Player of the Year awardsThe Gatorade Player of the Year awards are given annually to male and female high-school student-athletes in the United States. They are given for boys' baseball, boys' football, girls' softball, girls' volleyball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys' cross country, girls' cross country,...
(in various sports) - Wendy's High School HeismanWendy's High School HeismanThe Wendy's High School Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , named after former college football player and coach John Heisman, is a prestigious award in American high-school athletics. It is sponsored by Wendy's Restaurants...
(student-athletes in various sports)