MSHSAA All Access Podcast

2024 Boys Soccer Championship Preview Nov 15, 2024

A lot has changed in the past week regarding the upcoming 2024 Boys Soccer Championships. Due to major flooding in the Fenton area of St. Louis, Worldwide Technology Soccer Park experienced significant damage from the nearby Meramec River. This damage has led the Board of Directors and MSHSAA staff to the task of finding a new venue to host the Championships. Fortunately, Lindenwood University stepped up and graciously welcomed the Championships to their beautiful campus. We’re excited to bring you this episode as we prepare for the 57th MSHSAA Boys Soccer Championships!

Student Eligibility Ep. 6 - Appeals Nov 13, 2024

Our final episode of the Student Eligibility series provides a detailed explanation of the process by which a school or student can appeal an eligibility decision. What circumstances make this process necessary, and how exactly does it work? Find out in this episode as we wrap up our discussion on eligibility.

2024 Boys Swimming & Diving Championship Preview Nov 08, 2024

It's time to preview another championship as we march through the fall season! Starting on November 14th, our 88th Boys' Swimming & Diving Championships will take place at the spectacular St. Peter's Rec Plex. Some facility enhancements have been made since last year, and this year's event is expected to be just as action-packed as ever! Join us in celebrating this historic event as we dive into this year's championship.

On the Periphery: Activity Directors Nov 07, 2024

We're returning to our On the Periphery series with a new episode focusing on school athletic directors. During the Fall Softball Championships, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of Missouri's athletic directors and pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead and support activities in today's schools. Join us as we highlight another important facet of the association and the impact these individuals have on their schools and communities.

2024 Cross Country Championship Preview Nov 02, 2024

Our next championship for the 2024 Fall season is the 50th MSHSAA Cross Country Championships! This sport is celebrated for its emphasis on endurance, teamwork, and a connection to nature. Run on one of the best courses in the nation, this event will test the will and abilities of many athletes, but only the top 30 will bring home an individual medal. Join us as we prepare for another spectacular championship!

2024 Girls Volleyball Championship Preview Oct 30, 2024

Since becoming a MSHSAA-sponsored sport, with the first Girls Volleyball Championship occurring in 1975, the growth of this sport has been significant, leading up to this year's 50th Championship. In this episode, we will celebrate the many years this championship has been hosted at the Show-Me Center in Cape Girardeau as we look forward to the future and the excitement of this upcoming event. Listen as we share all the details and more!

2024 Fall Softball Championship Preview Oct 24, 2024

The 49th Fall Softball Championships are set to take place once again at the state-of-the-art Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, MO, from October 31st to November 2nd. Teams from five different classifications across the state will gather in Springfield for semifinal competition to determine who will compete for the championship title! We'll highlight this event and discuss the schedule including some exciting plans we have to continue the celebration of this spectacular occasion!

2024 Girls Tennis Championship Preview Oct 17, 2024

We are excited to highlight our next upcoming Fall Championship—the 50th Girls Tennis Championships! We have two full weekends of action, starting with Singles and Doubles matches on October 24-26, followed by Team competitions on October 31 and November 1. Once again, we will be hosted at the spectacular Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield! Stay tuned as we prepare for this championship and discuss some changes you might notice.

2024 Girls Golf Championship Preview Oct 14, 2024

We are just one week away from our first Fall Championship! Starting Monday, October 21, we will have four locations hosting our Girls Golf Championships over the two-day tournament. Find out which courses are hosting, how the tournament schedule will run, and help us get ready to celebrate the 50th year of Girls Golf Championships!

Enhancing Traditions Oct 10, 2024

For a number of years, the Missouri State High School Association has celebrated teams that participated in a championship 20 years prior. After revamping our existing Traditions Program, which was piloted during last year's Basketball Championship, the MSHSAA office is thrilled to extend this program to each and every one of our team sports that have at least a 20-year history. In this episode, we will highlight a few of those changes and what fans and spectators can expect during this year's Championships!

RefReps Review Oct 08, 2024

Students and adults alike have had the opportunity to sharpen their skills using the RefReps programming. As we celebrate our fall sports officials this week, we want to remind everyone of this unique opportunity. MSHSAA is proud to partner with RefReps as we continue to grow our officials program and help the next generation earn their stripes!

Student Advisory: Our Voice Oct 03, 2024

During the 2024 MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown Basketball Championships, we visited with four members of our Student Advisory Committee and gave them an opportunity to talk about their experiences as student ambassadors and their observations as we continue to grow the student services programming in the state of Missouri. As with other advisory committees, these students provide a geographical representation of our state, and we are thrilled to share some of their perspectives in this episode!

2024 Fall Coach of the Year Recognitions Oct 01, 2024

Following the end of each school year, the MSHSAA staff designates coaches who have shown a commitment to the ideals of coaching interscholastic sports and making an impact on their sport beyond their own school or community by nominating them as the MSHSAA Coach of the Year. This recognition is based on accomplishments made in the 2023-24 school year, and these coaches will now have the opportunity to be selected at the next level of this award, the Section V Coach of the Year. We'll explain all that and go over this year's fall sport coach nominees.

Student Eligibility Ep. 5 Sep 26, 2024

Our final episode covering student eligibility will dive deeper into Section 2 of the student essential by-laws as we review other key factors that impact a student’s ability to participate in interscholastic sports and activities. Certain elements, such as semesters of participation, amateurism, physical exams, insurance, practice and conditioning, are key to determining eligibility. To wrap up this episode we'll spend significant time discussing residency and our transfer rule.

MSHSAA Governance: Board of Directors Sep 24, 2024

The administrative body of the association is known as the Board of Directors. These members represent regional areas of the state, along with two 'At-Large' members. They are active school superintendents, principals, or activities directors. Acting as the executive body of the association, they oversee numerous responsibilities. Following the first meeting of the school year, we met with two current members of the MSHSAA board to discuss their roles and how they contribute to the association.

Meet Andrew Kauffman Sep 19, 2024

In this episode, we will introduce our newest team member to the MSHSAA staff—Andrew Kauffman, who has taken over as Communications Director for the Missouri State High School Activities Association. We'll visit with Andrew and dig into his background as a sports director and the path that led him to the MSHSAA office. We will also tease something exciting that our team has been preparing for and how we plan to implement this into our existing programming.

2024-25 Shot Clock Info Sep 17, 2024

In an effort to define the current stance of the Missouri State High School Activities Association regarding the use of the shot clock in basketball contests, this brief episode will explain exactly what the MSHSAA Board of Directors decided, as well as how the use of the shot clock will be determined.

Student Eligibility Ep. 4 Sep 12, 2024

Looking further into our student eligibility series in this episode we dissect a more complex topic as we define the concept of 'undue influence' and address what that means when talking about student enrollment and 'recruitment' in the high school setting. As this requirement can be one of the most complex to explain out of all the eligibility standards it also tends to be one of the most misunderstood. This discussion is designed to give not just our member schools more clarity but to also solve any misconceptions any member interested in a students enrollment may have.

Student Eligibility Ep. 3 Sep 10, 2024

Continuing in our series over student eligibility this episode will take a look at a few more of the student essential by-laws that apply to all student participants who represent his/her school. We'll discuss the definition of a 'Bona Fide', dig into the citizenship requirements and also review how semesters of eligibility are determined.

On the Periphery: Sports Media Sep 05, 2024

During the 2024 MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown Basketball Championships we took the opportunity to visit with some special individuals who may be on the periphery during any given contest but their presence is truly an asset. If you are from the central Missouri area you probably know the names Kevin Kelly, Steve Duncan and David Fox (or at least their voices) but you may not know how much loyalty and dedication they have for their craft and why they are so passionate about 'getting it right'. Enjoy this episode as we recognize these sports media broadcasters and hear more about their love for the game!

MSHSAA: Origins Sep 03, 2024

Born out of necessity the Missouri State High School Activities Association origin story is certainly an interesting one. This episode will look back at our earliest beginnings and provide considerable background information and the conditions that were in place that initiated the development of a state wide association. Who were the key players and how did they help develop interscholastic activities as we know it today? Listen as we take a trip back in time!

Student Eligibility Ep. 2: Academic Eligibility Aug 29, 2024

As we dig into the issue of student eligibility, this episode will layout the guidelines MSHSAA considers when it comes to academic eligibility. One objective of the association is to develop standards for the approval and direction of interscholastic activities and one of the ways we do that is through establishing an eligibility standard for all students who wish to participate in interscholastic activities. Listen as we try to shed some light on how a student can maintain their academic eligibility, what should schools consider when reviewing a students schedule, and why it is important for the association to develop this standard.

MSHSAA Sports Medicine Aug 27, 2024

As schools are preparing for their Fall sports season to begin there are several things they must consider when preparing for competition. Part of those plans involve ensuring student athlete safety and preparation and when they say it takes a village, nothing could be more true when it comes to interscholastic athletics and activities. In this episode we sit down and visit with a few of the members of the MSHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and discuss what roles the athletic trainers serve to our schools and students, what factors should they consider when getting ready for a competition and how schools can be prepared as we gear up for another season of sports and activities in our state.

Missouri Sports Travel Exchange Aug 22, 2024

Last spring The Missouri State High School Activities Association participated in the Missouri Sports Travel Exchange conference and during some down time we visited with several community leaders discussing the topic of Sports Tourism, specifically when it comes to the MSHSAA championships and festivals. In this episode some individuals have moved onto other positions, however this round table discussion still holds relevance today and may give some insight on how MSHSAA determines venues and locations for the championships.

An Introduction to Student Eligibility - Episode 1 Aug 19, 2024

What is 'eligibility' when discussing high school activities and how does the Missouri State High School Activities Association determine a students eligibility status? What parameters are used to define an eligible athlete, band member, cheerleader, etc.? Throughout this season we will routinely incorporate episodes from a new series explaining student eligibility and give an in-depth look at the Student Essential By-Laws developed by the MSHSAA member schools to help members navigate determining a students ability to participate in interscholastic sports and activities.

2024 Opening Day Aug 12, 2024

Tune in to our latest episode of the MSHSAA All-Access Podcast as we celebrate August 12, 2024, the official first allowable practice day for our fall sports. It’s what we like to call the symbolic first day of the activities and athletics school year. Join Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad as she extends a heartfelt thank you to the coaches, student-athletes, referees and fans who contribute tirelessly to the success of high school athletics. This episode is a tribute to the hard work and dedication that make these events possible. Get ready to kick off the 2024-25 school year with enthusiasm and a deep appreciation for the entire MSHSAA community!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Girls Soccer Aug 08, 2024

It's time to wrap up the Spring Championship season and talk about the 40th MSHSAA Girls Soccer Championships! This year was full of special stories and some teams were able to celebrate their first ever trip to the final four in spectacular fashion! Listen for all the highlights as we go through each class and how all the teams finished.

MSHSAA Championship Review: Baseball Aug 03, 2024

It's the final stretch! Buckle up and hang on because there is a lot to unpack in this episode as we highlight one of our last championships of the 2024 Spring Season - the MSHSAA Baseball Championships! Held in the beautiful Ozarks of Missouri the best 24 teams gave all they had in their fight for the 'ship! Find out who won, who made their first trip ever and what we can expect next year all right here!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Boys Volleyball Jul 31, 2024

After membership voting, Boys Volleyball became a MSHSAA sport, and we are thrilled to celebrated the 1st Annual MSHSAA Boys Volleyball Championship during this episode! Four teams met one one court to determine this years first MSHSAA Champion, how did we get here, what are the plans for the future? There are some exciting things happening in our state, listen as we celebrate this historical event and the student athletes that participated!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Spring Softball Jul 24, 2024

All but one of the sports and activities offered interscholastically to the students in Missouri have a single defining season. Missouri is unique as it is one of the few states that offer both Fall and Spring seasons in the sport of Softball. Fall Softball is the dominant season in Missouri with four classifications competing for a Championship whereas Spring Softball has only two classes. In this episode we'll dive a little deeper into the Spring Championship, how did the teams perform and give a little more insight into this spectacular event!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Track & Field Jul 17, 2024

It's a mad dash to the finish!! We only have a few wrap up episodes left from the 2024 spring Championship season and in this episode we will highlight our two weekends of Track & Field Championships. Hang on tight as we fly through all the key moments, review team finishes, and recognize the amazing athletes that had a part in the 2024 championships!!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Boys Tennis Jul 10, 2024

Missouri has one of the best tennis complexes in the nation and we are lucky to have the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri as the host of the Girls and Boys Tennis Championships! In this episode we will take a swing at highlighting all the action over the two separate competitions starting with all the winners from the Singles & Doubles Championships and then recap our Teams Tennis Championships. We will also review some interesting statistics in regards to returning and new teams! You'll just 'LOVE' this episode!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Boys Golf Championships Jun 26, 2024

Starting off our spring sports championship wrap up episodes is the 2024 Boys Golf Championships Review! This years golfers saw plenty of challenges and managed to overcome with some spectacular and tight competition. Find out where this years tournaments were held, how did the competitors finish, and what special accolades were made by this group of boys golfers!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Scholar Bowl Championships Jun 19, 2024

Our last Spring Activity Championship is a true battle of the minds! In this episode we talk with State Tournament Director, Scott Brinker, as we revisit the 2024 MSHSAA Scholar Bowl Championships. This year we welcomed some newcomers to their first ever Championship appearance along with some of our usual contenders. If we learned anything during this event it is that we have some amazingly talented and informed students in Missouri! Listen as we talk about all the winners and recap how each class played out!

MSHSAA Championship Review: State Music Festival Jun 10, 2024

Thousands of students arriving at the University of Missouri in late April can mean only one thing - the start of the MSHSAA State Music Festival! While students practice in any open space available, inside or out, our State Festival Adjudicators are listening to performances, directors are giving their last bits of instruction, friends and family are celebrating and congratulating a job well done, and lifelong memories are made during these three days of organized chaos! Listen as we review this year's festival and talk with a very special guest that represents the many, many talented students in our state!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Girls Soccer Championships May 29, 2024

Our final Championship of year and the official start of summer for our student athletes is the Girls Soccer Championships. Over two days 16 teams will play an overall total of 16 games to determine the the next four Girls Soccer Champions! All the details about the where, when and who can be found in our final Championship Preview for the 2023-24 school year!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Baseball Championships May 26, 2024

Nothing says Memorial Day Weekend like Baseball!! This episode will highlight our Spring Baseball Championships currently held in Ozark, MO. Find out how the tournament is scheduled, what improvements have been made to make this event better than ever and who helps us make this a special moment for all the teams and fans!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Spring Softball May 23, 2024

This episode podcast will highlight one of the few sports offered in two different seasons, the Spring Softball Championships! Although this championship has two seasons there is a noticeable difference from the Fall. Listen and find out why there are two seasons, what is different about the spring championship and more!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Boys Volleyball May 21, 2024

In this episode we are celebrating the 1st Inaugural 2024 MSHSAA Boys Volleyball Championship! Four teams will play to earn their place in the record book as the first teams to participate in our newest sport to make the move to interscholastic! Listen and share our excitement as we highlight our next event!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Track & Field May 16, 2024

The MSHSAA Track & Field Championships can best be described as two days of pure pandemonium, with activity bustling all around, Thousands of volunteers, officials, spectators and athletes will transcend on Jefferson City High Schools campus over the next two weekends as we prepare for our next set of Champions! Organization and details are key! Listen as we talk about how we hurdle over one of our largest Championship events of the year and find out everything you need to know.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Boys Tennis May 15, 2024

As we near closer to the end of the school year we celebrate another upcoming Championship - the 96th Boys Tennis Championships! In this episode we will talk about some changes coming into the 2024-2025 school year as we prepare for this seasons Individual & Doubles Tournament and the Teams Tournament. Find out more about our next Championship and what modifications we are making to make this event the best it can be!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Boys Golf May 10, 2024

It's time to talk about our first Spring Sport Championship - Boys Golf! We will be at five different locations across Missouri hosting this two-day tournament, so listen as we talk about how athletes qualify, where our sites will be this spring and so much more!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Speech, Debate & Theatre Championships May 09, 2024

The 2024 Speech, Debate and Theatre Championships was full of uplifting and awe-inspiring moments. Everything about this event is truly spectacular. In this episode we will highlight how a few scheduling changes benefited the students and schools along with what changes will come in the future. Find out which schools had the next round of Champions awarded and more about how we facilitate such a large event.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Scholar Bowl May 01, 2024

It's a battle of the minds for our next Spring Championship - 24 teams will meet on the University of Missouri Campus for the 28th MSHSAA Scholar Bowl Championships! What exactly is Scholar Bowl? How does MSHSAA determine the champion? We go over all the details and more in this episode where we highlight the brightest in Missouri!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: State Music Festival Apr 24, 2024

It's time for the largest Championship event MSHSAA hosts - the State Music Festival!! Thousands of students will perform one final time in attempt to earn the highest rating, a GOLD medal! Dr. Jennifer Rukstad visits with James Melton as we get ready for three days of harmonious sounds that will fill the University of Missouri Campus. Find out more about our next upcoming Championship and exactly how this amazing event comes together.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Speech, Debate and Theatre Apr 15, 2024

It's Spring! Our first activity to start off the Championship season is the 71st annual MSHSAA Speech, Debate and Theatre Championships!!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Basketball Classes 4, 5, & 6 Apr 15, 2024

The last of the Winter Championship season saw classes 4, 5 & 6 converge on the University of Missouri, Mizzou Arena, on the hunt for the Show-Me Showdown Championship trophy. In this podcast episode we look at everything from game results, player stats, team history and more as we share some key moments from this historical event!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Basketball Classes 1, 2 & 3 Apr 15, 2024

As we wrap up our final Winter Championship review series, we take a look back at our first week of the Show-Me Showdown Championships, the Class 1, 2, and 3 State Basketball Championships. Relive all the memories and find out how our State Championships new format and venue impacted this years 'ship!

2024 Annual Ballot Apr 04, 2024

It's time to vote! The 2024 MSHSAA Annual Ballot is now available for schools to submit their votes during our governance period of our the year. There are many topics being presented to our member schools to consider, find out what is on the horizon for the association and what changes are being considered as we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year.

MSHSAA Championship Review: Wrestling Championships Mar 22, 2024

In this podcast episode we reminisce over the 2024 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships. Dr. Rukstad, MSHSAA Executive Director sits down with Daryl Bradley, MSHSAA Assistant Executive and Jason West, MSHSAA Communications Director, to review everything from team finishes for each class to behind the scenes on exactly what is involved in running this spectacular event!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Girls Swimming & Diving Mar 14, 2024

There is a lot to celebrate in Missouri when it comes to Girls Swimming & Diving! We had several records broken in the Girls Class 2 Swimming Championships and joining us on our wrap up podcast is the Rockhurst Boys Swim Coach, Paul Winkeler. who was recently named the national 2022-23 NFHS Boys Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year! We'll highlight all the winners and share some of our favorite stories from 49th Annual Girls Swimming & Diving Championships!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Basketball Championships Mar 04, 2024

The stage is set! It's time to talk about our next upcoming Championships - The MSHSAA Show Me Showdown Basketball Championships! What's new this year? Well, quite a bit actually! In this episode we share all the details from dates to location and everything else leading up to the Championships!

MSHSAA Governance: Area Meeting Topics Feb 24, 2024

The Area Meetings are an annual process in the MSHSAA governance procedures, where MSHSAA executives visit with school administrators at each of our Board Districts and present topics the MSHSAA Office and Board of Directors are seeking the opinions on from its membership. In this episode we will briefly summarize many of the topics we presented in January and explain a little more about this key process within the association.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Wrestling Championships Feb 14, 2024

It's time for the Big Show! The 2024 MSHSAA Wrestling Championships are just around the corner and thousands of athletes will converge on Mizzou Arena for an epic showcase of champions! Tune in as we get ready for the 94th Boys Wrestling Championships and the 6th Girls Wrestling Championships where legendary battles lie ahead!

2024 Girls Swimming & Diving Championship Preview Feb 10, 2024

The first Championship of the Winter season is the Girls Swimming & Diving Championships. The 49th Championship will feature 11 swimming events and a diving championship over the course of three days for 2 separate classifications. Listen as we share more details and behind the scenes sneak peek into this upcoming Championship!

MSHSAA Championship Review: 2023 Show Me Bowl Football Championships Feb 02, 2024

It's our final Championship Review for the 2023 Fall season! In this episode we recap all 7 games from this year's championship from scores and stats to key moments from each game. Join us and listen as we wrap up our final fall championship!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Boys Soccer Championships Jan 18, 2024

The 56th MSHSAA Boys Soccer Championships involved a good mix of new or fairly new teams to the championship along with some well seasoned returnee's. Held in Fenton, MO at Worldwide Technology Soccer Park - this years Championships had its fill of excitement, thrills and nail biting moments! In this episode we will review all of the championship results and highlight team and player statistics!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Boys Swimming & Diving Championships Jan 11, 2024

Diving into our next Championship review we will discuss all the highlights and special mo0ments from our 2023 MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships! Joining us on this wrap up episode is St. Louis University High School Head Swimming Coach, Lindsey Ehret. Listen as she visits with us as we go over this historic event!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Cross Country Dec 22, 2023

Held at the beautiful Gans Creek Recreation Center in Columbia, MO, the 2023 Boys and Girls Cross Country Championships took place over the course of two days of great weather and even faster competition! In this episode we'll go over the race winners, team finishes and talk all things cross country when it comes to this spectacular event!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Girls Volleyball Dec 15, 2023

The 49th MSHSAA Girls Volleyball Championships saw lots of newcomers along with some returning volleyball power houses come together for some smoking hot competition! In this episode we'll go over all of the final results, highlight some historical facts regarding school programs and talk about some of our favorite moments from this years Championship!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Fall Softball Dec 07, 2023

The 48th MSHSAA Fall Softball Championships was an absolute nail biter from start to finish. This championship had it all! Packed full of highs and lows from questionable weather all weekend to some first Championship appearance celebrations, this was certainly a spectacular 2 days. Listen as we look back at all the action!

MSHSAA Championship Review: Girls Golf Nov 27, 2023

The 2023 MSHSAA Girls Golf Championships was definitely one for the record books! With two golfers earning a hole in one to a new state record, we recap our Fall Girls Golf Championships and go over each class of results and team finishes. Listen for a special addition as we included the top five finishers from one of our locations to talk about their experience at the Championships.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Football Nov 18, 2023

Our last Championship preview - The 2023 Show Me Bowl Football Championships! Held on the University of Missouri Faurot Field, the Show Me Bowl is going to be three full days of high school football! Listen to find out schedule information, a little information of our current postseason structure and more!

MSHSAA Championship Review: 2023 Girls Tennis Championships Nov 15, 2023

Our first championship of the year was also a first for new Associate Executive Director, James Melton. In this episode we will give an overview of the results for each class of competition, share some interesting facts about our schools and their history in the sport of tennis, and even talk with a student athlete and get her perspective on what making it to the State Championships was like for her.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Boys Soccer Nov 11, 2023

Only a few fall Championships remain! In this episode we talk about the Boys Soccer Championships coming up on November 17th and 18th, held at Worldwide Technology Soccer Park. St. Louis hasn't always been home to the Championships and in this podcast we'll visit past venues, share a little about the current venue and our event schedule.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Boys Swimming & Diving Nov 06, 2023

The 87th Annual MSHSAA Boys Swimming and Diving Championships scheduled for November 9-11 at the St. Peter's Rec Plex, is an amazing event packed full of action! In this episode we talk about how athletes qualify for both the swimming and diving portions of the event, why the event is hosted in St. Peters and so much more!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Cross Country Nov 02, 2023

This weekend hundreds of athletes and thousands of spectators will descend upon the Gans Creek Recreation Area to participate in the MSHSAA 2023 Cross Country Championships! Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, Doug Fessler, and MSHSAA CFO/COO Craig Long, sit down and give a brief history and explanation of our upcoming championship as we prepare for yet another beautiful weekend of athletics!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Girls Volleyball Oct 30, 2023

It's time to bump, set, dig and dive as we prepare for another MSHSAA Championship! In this episode Dr. Jennifer Rukstad visits with Associate Executive Director, Toni Hill, the newest executive to oversee the Volleyball Championships. Get all the details as they highlight our upcoming 49th Girls Volleyball Championships!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Fall Softball Oct 23, 2023

Pitching into our next Championship Preview we bring you the 2023 MSHSAA Fall Softball Championship! 20 teams representing 5 classes will land in Springfield, MO to participate in the 48th MSHSAA Fall Softball Championship at Killian Softball Complex. Listen as we highlight this upcoming championship!

MSHSAA Shot Clock Talk Oct 16, 2023

A hot topic being discussed throughout High School Basketball is the decision to incorporate the "Shot Clock". Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Asst. Executive Director, Doug Fessler, explain further what other states are doing, how they feel about implementing the use of the shot clock, how do schools participate, etc. as we prepare the membership for an upcoming survey.

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Girls Golf Oct 12, 2023

In this episode we talk about our upcoming Girls Golf Championships! Find out how athletes qualify for the State Championships, what courses will we be using this year, and other important details surrounding the event. Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Assistant Executive Director, Doug Fessler, discuss all the details in this championship preview!

MSHSAA Championship Preview: Girls Tennis Oct 05, 2023

The first Championship of the year is almost here! In this podcast episode we sit down with one of the newest Executive Directors, James Melton, as he prepares for the 49th Girls Tennis Individual Championships, followed by the Girls Team Tennis Championships. Both held in Springfield, MO at Copper Tennis Complex.

MSHSAA RFP Process Sep 29, 2023

Ever wonder how a Championship location is determined? What process does MSHSAA have when selecting a site? What kinds of things are taken into account when making that decision? In this podcast episode we visit with the MSHSAA Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operations Officer, Craig Long, as he explains the how, what and why when it comes to locating a home for the MSHSAA Championships.

MSHSAA & Social Media Sep 11, 2023

In this podcast episode we discuss a little bit about the changes that have occurred over the past few years in regards to how MSHSAA uses it's social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok. How does it all happen, who does it, and what is the primary purpose behind each and every post?

MSHSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Aug 30, 2023

August marks the start of a new school year, and with that comes fall sports and activities! In this podcast episode we visit with members of our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to discuss their responsibilities within the association as well as share some of the important factors that make their role so vital when it comes to the mental health and physical safety of the student athletes in Missouri.

Meet the NEW Executive Staff! Aug 21, 2023

We start the 2023-2024 school year off introducing our newest Executive staff members! Interested in who will be the new Music person? Who is handling officials? What roles, responsibilities and backgrounds do our newest staff bring to the association? Find all that and more in our first episode of the year!

MSHSAA Girls Soccer Championship Review Aug 16, 2023

Our final Spring Championship review - The 2023 Girls Soccer Championships! This was a historical year for many schools that had never been to the Girls Soccer Championships - listen as we go over all the winners, hit on some pretty interesting facts and statistics, and celebrate a spectacular end to the 2023 Spring Season!

MSHSAA Baseball Championship Review Aug 11, 2023

A week of action all summed up in one podcast! The 2023 MSHSAA Baseball Championships, held at Sky Bacon Stadium in Ozark, MO, is a week of non-stop action as 24 teams representing the 6 classifications of baseball bring all they have to southwest Missouri in the hunt for the Championship trophy. For some this was the first trip ever and others having a well established presence at the championships. Listen as we highlight our favorite moments and stories from this years games!

2023-2024 Welcome! Aug 07, 2023

August 7th, 2023 marks the "first allowable practice" for the students participating in sports in the member schools belonging to MSHSAA. Although many students have been actively participating in summer camps and programs, this date is a significant one for many of our students and coaches. It's a new year! Time for new experiences, friendships and much, much more. It's go time!

2023 MSHSAA Spring Softball Championship Review Aug 02, 2023

A unique aspect of Softball in Missouri is the option for schools to select which season they would like to play - Fall or Spring, and each season has it's own Championship. The MSHSAA Spring Softball Championships are held in the same location as the fall, and eight schools representing two separate classifications battle it out for that Championship title! In this episode we will highlight all the teams, plays and memories that made this years event a success!

2023 MSHSAA Track & Field Review Jul 28, 2023

The MSHSAA Track and Field Championships is one of the largest events MSHSAA hosts. Held this year at the Licklider Track in Jefferson City, MO, the 2023 Championships was full of jumps, throws, dashes and more. Sit back and enjoy as we highlight all the team champions and individual competitors!

2023 Boys Tennis Championship Review Jul 22, 2023

We continue our review on our Spring Championship season by catching up on all the action that took place at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, MO. This event was action packed with some amazingly talented young men. Listen as we hit all the stats and results of this years Championship!

2023 Boys Golf Championship Review Jul 17, 2023

The 2023 Boys Golf Championships are our first sport to kickoff the Spring Championship Season. In this episode we take a look back at each of the sites, how the results played out and thank some key players that helped make this years Championships a success!

2023 Scholar Bowl Championship Review Jul 12, 2023

Getting back on track with our Spring Championship reviews, we go to our final spring activity championship - the 2023 MSHSAA Scholar Bowl Championships. This 2-day event, held on the historic University of Missouri campus, puts the greatest of minds across the state in head to head competition for the Championship Title! Listen as we take a look back and talk about how this years teams performed and share some great stories from the event.

MSHSAA Staff Takeover Jul 05, 2023

It's a MSHSAA Podcast Takeover! The MSHSAA staff had a little fun while the bosses were away and decided to record our own podcast! If you have ever been to a MSHSAA Championship event, it is very likely you have encountered one or two MSHSAA staff members during your visit. In an effort to highlight some of the background players we made a podcast about ourselves, what we do, and if we are working a MSHSAA Championship where you might see us in action!

2023 State Music Festival Review Jun 16, 2023

It was three gorgeous days on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, MO for the 2023 MSHSAA State Music Festival! In this podcast episode we talk a little more about this years festival with Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and outgoing Assistant Executive Director, Davine Davis, along with incoming Associate Executive Director, James Melton. You'll hear an interesting perspective as Davine Davis discusses her last festival before retiring, and the realization of the magnitude of the festival as it now will be under the lead of James Melton.

2023 Speech, Debate and Theatre Championship Review Jun 12, 2023

In this podcast episode Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, MSHSAA Executive Director, along with Communications Director, Jason West, and Asst. Executive Director, Marty Marsh, review the 2023 Speech, Debate and Theatre Championships - listen as they share some fun stories and heartfelt moments that make the SDT Championships a spectacular event!

NIL: Name, Image & Likeness. May 26, 2023

NIL stands for Name, Image and Likeness. For years, the NCAA has used the name, image and likeness of college athletes to promote NCAA athletic programs and drive revenue. Trickling down into the high school landscape, state associations are tasked with defining NIL for their own student athletes. In this episode we asked representatives from California, Tennessee, Kansas and the National Federation of High Schools to join us and talk about an issue that is affecting high schools nationally.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Girls Soccer May 24, 2023

The final championship of the 2022-2023 school year is the MSHSAA 38th Girls Soccer Championships scheduled for June 2nd and 3rd. Soccer has a rich history in our larger metropolitan areas of the state. One of those areas is home to the championships, World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, MO. MSHSAA Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, and Assistant Executive Director, Marty Marsh, sits down for one more championship preview to lead into our final event. Listen as they give an overview of what to expect along with some special recognition for the people that make this event a success.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Baseball May 20, 2023

A great American tradition, and one of the oldest sports in the association, is highly participated in by the member schools of the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Starting on Memorial Day, May 29th, the 2023 MSHSAA State Baseball Championships will begin at US Ballpark in Ozark, MO. 24 teams representing 6 classifications will play 2 games in the hunt for the championship. Listen as Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Assistant Executive Director, Doug Fessler, preview our next upcoming championship!

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Spring Softball May 17, 2023

Tucked between two weekends of Track & Field Championships, the Spring Softball Championships will take place on May 22nd and 23rd at the Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, MO. Listen as Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Assistant Executive Director, Doug Fessler, sit down to discuss and highlight another Spring Championship!

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Track & Field May 12, 2023

The MSHSAA 2023 Track & Field Championships is one of our largest events held throughout the year, not just in school participation or number of athletes, but the number of spectators that come watch this championship that bring an atmosphere like no other! In this podcast episode we'll highlight all of the jumps, throws and runs in this championship preview as MSHSAA Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Assistant Executive Director, Lou Mazzocco dig into what is Track and Field in Missouri.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Boys Tennis May 10, 2023

Boys State Tennis is one of the oldest sports with the Missouri State High School Activities Association, having it's first state Championship for Individuals in 1926, doubles play would be incorporated the following year. Team Tennis, as we know it today, was later added in 1988 although teams prior to that were recognized based on singles and doubles results. But Tennis, like Golf, is not like or other sports. Listen as Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, MSHSAA Executive Director, and Kenny Seifert, Assistant Executive Director sit down and serve up some pretty interesting details about this unique event!

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Boys Golf May 05, 2023

In this episode of the MSHSAA All Access Podcast we talk about the upcoming 83rd Boys Golf Championships! One of MSHSAA's earliest championships, the sport of golf in Missouri grew significantly in the 1950's and even saw a seasonal switch from a fall sport to spring in the 1959-60 school year. Now, boys golf has grown to a total of 5 classifications, which means 5 courses, 5 sets of workers, etc. Curious how MSHSAA gets that done? Listen as Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, Executive Director, and Assistant Executive Director, Greg Stahl, take a swing at explaining all that is coming up with our Boys Golf Championships!

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Scholar Bowl Apr 26, 2023

Scholar Bowl, Quiz Bowl, Academic Team - whatever you call it the best and the brightest will soon converge on the University of Missouri Campus for our final activity Championship - Scholar Bowl! MSHSAA's youngest activity - Scholar Bowl first became a MSHSAA sanctioned event in the 1995-1996 school year with the first Championship being held at Stephens College in Columbia in May of 1996. At that time it was known as Academic Competition. Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Stacy Schroeder sit down to celebrate this unique event and share some little known facts about MSHSAA's youngest activity.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: State Music Festival Apr 19, 2023

Next week close to 10,000 students, over a 3 day period, will converge on the University of Missouri campus to perform at the 2023 MSHSAA State Music Festival. Throughout the months of March and April thousands more students performed with their bands, choirs and orchestra's at State Large Group festivals all around the state. As we look forward to celebrating the achievements of these students and preparing for the individual and ensemble performances to occur next week, we talk about all the festival, how it works and more.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Speech, Debate and Theatre Apr 12, 2023

To kick off our Spring Activities Championships, we sit down to talk about our Speech, Debate and Theatre Championships that will take place April 20-22 in Springfield, MO. Listen as we discuss what is Speech and Debate, how do students qualify and much more!

2023 Basketball Championships Class 4, 5, 6 Review Apr 07, 2023

Closing out our Winter Championship season is the second weekend of Boys and Girls Championship Basketball for Classes 4, 5 and 6. In this podcast episode, we review all the highlights and key moments from the Show-Me Showdown II, and share some of our favorite stories with MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, Assistant Executive Director Doug Fessler, Communications Director Jason West, and Sports Announcer, former coach and basketball guru Jeni Hopkins.

2023 Girls State Swimming & Diving Championships Review Apr 05, 2023

The Class 1 and 2 Girls State Swimming and Diving Championships was definitely one for the record books! In this podcast episode we revisit the memorable moments from the girls state meet from February. MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad; Associate Executive Director Stacy Schroeder; Communications Assistant Scott Lunte and former Blue Springs Swimming and Diving Coach Bill Shalley, dive into all the amazing things that was observed at this years girls championships!

2023 State Wrestling Championships Review Mar 31, 2023

An addition of another class of Girls competition, a new format for all classes, how did it all work? What pros and cons were discovered? In this episode of the MSHSAA All Access Podcast, MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, Assistant Executive Director Greg Stahl, Communications Director Jason West, and one of the best voices in Wrestling announcing, Dorothy Mayabb, all sit down and go back over the 2023 State Wrestling Championships, Reminisce with us as we share our favorite stories from this years championships and why we consider this event such a special championship.

2023 Basketball Championships Class 1, 2, 3 Review Mar 24, 2023

While preparing to start the second weekend of the MSHSAA State Basketball Championships for Class 4, 5, & 6 schools, in the early quiet hours on Thursday morning in Great Southern Bank Arena, we took some time to review the Class 1, 2, 3 Championships. MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, Asst. Executive Director Doug Fessler, Communications and Media Director Jason West and Denny Hunt, Executive Director of the Missouri High School Basketball Coaches Association, all sit down and share what they viewed at the championships, highlight some neat stories and celebrate all the accomplishments of the participating teams.

MSHSAA State Basketball - Team Hosts Appreciation Mar 10, 2023

MSHSAA would like to thank the community of Springfield and our volunteer Team Hosts, or as they like to call themselves, Team Ambassadors. What exactly is a Team Ambassador and what do they do? Listen as we visit with several of our team hosts and learn more about their very important roles into making the Championships run smoothly for the teams.

Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau 'Sharing Great Moments Together' Mar 03, 2023

In this episode podcast we visit with the Dr. Mark Hecquet, Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO, Lance Kettering, Executive Director of the Springfield Sports Commission and Becky Oakes, Team Ambassador Coordinator for the State Basketball Championships. As we make the move back to Columbia, MO for the 2024 MSHSAA State Show Me Showdown Basketball Championships, we thank the Springfield community and its members as we gear up for an exciting two weeks of basketball action to finish out our winter sports season.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Basketball Mar 01, 2023

It's March! That means the 2023 Show-Me Showdown MSHSAA Basketball Championships are just around the corner! Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Doug Fessler talk all things basketball as we look forward to our final year of the current hosting campaign with Missouri State University and Great Southern Bank Arena.

RefReps in the classroom at Tipton High School Feb 24, 2023

In this second episode of our RefReps series, we visit with Leeanna Meador, Principal at Tipton High School, and talk about what they are doing with the RefReps program and how it has impacted their students and community. Tipton High School is one of several schools that are receiving the free instructional seats for this amazing new officiating education system. Listen as they share how they use RefReps in their regular curriculum and how the students have responded to the opportunity.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Wrestling Feb 17, 2023

The 2023 MSHSAA State Wrestling Championships brings one of the greatest displays of sport culminated into a brief few days. There have been many changes in Wrestling lately, primarily with the growth of Girls Wrestling. Being it's own sport now for a few years has caused some changes to the current structure of the championships. Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and Greg Stahl talk about how Wrestling is moving forward in Missouri and share some important details about this years Championship.

Training your Stripes with RefReps Feb 10, 2023

In this podcast episode, Kenny Seifert, MSHSAA Assistant Executive Director and Officials Program Coordinator, sits down with Kyle Armstrong, Founder and CEO of RefReps, to talk about an exciting new program MSHSAA has partnered to pilot in our member schools. RefReps is a standardized, digital course curriculum with detailed instructor guides & course maps, interactive assessments, materials and more. Listen as we share how this program is just a step towards educating the next generation of officials.

MSHSAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: Girls Swimming & Diving Feb 08, 2023

In this episode of the MSHSAA All Access Podcast we talk about the upcoming 48th MSHSAA Girls Swimming and Diving Championships. Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, MSHSAA Executive Director and Stacy Schroeder, MSHSAA Associate Executive Director sit down to celebrate the female athletes that participate in swimming and diving, talk about how our meets run and highlight some of the special people that make this event such a successful championship.

Student Advisory Committee Feb 03, 2023

Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, MSHSAA Executive Director and Marty Marsh, Assistant Executive Director sit down and discuss the new MSHSAA Student Advisory Committee, the representative voice of the students within our membership schools. Listen as they discuss why are we developing this committee, what will these students do and more.

Area Meeting Topics - Postseason Eligibility, Basketball Hosting, NIL, Student Advisory and 2023 State Wrestling Format Jan 27, 2023

In our final episode covering our Area Meeting Topics we discuss a number of items including student postseason eligibility, specifically Championships that have an individual qualifying aspect and possible changes to the current postseason hosting format for Basketball. We also briefly discuss how NIL (name, image, likeness) could impact high school athletics; our upcoming Student Advisory Committee and close with some information regarding this years Wrestling Championships format.

Area Meeting Topics - Officials Ratings, Emerging Sports & Ref Reps Jan 20, 2023

In this episode of our Area Meeting Topics series we discuss a few more items that are being brought to our membership. This week we talk about our current officials ratings system, what exactly is an emerging sport and some exciting opportunities coming in the future in the way of officials education.

Area Meeting Topics - Football, Junior High Academics & Track and Field Jan 13, 2023

In the Area Meeting Topics Series we'll be discussing the hot topics in our state in regards to interscholastic athletics and activities. This 3-part series will cover the possible Questionnaire and Ballot Items the membership will provide feedback and thoughts prior to voting upon.

Transitions: A conversation with Kenny Seifert Jan 06, 2023

In this final episode of the 'Transitions' series, we sit down with retiring Assistant Executive Director, Kenny Seifert, and discuss his duties with the association and reflect on what being a part of MSHSAA truly means.

Transitions: A conversation with Greg Stahl Dec 30, 2022

In this episode we talk with Greg Stahl as we discuss his upcoming retirement.

Transitions: A conversation with Davine Davis Dec 22, 2022

In this episode of the MSHSAA All Access Podcast we sit down with Assistant Executive Director, Davine Davis, as we highlight her career with MSHSAA and gain a little insight into what she does and what is on the horizon for her as we celebrate her upcoming retirement.

Transitions: Dr. Jennifer Rukstad Dec 14, 2022

Get to know our Executive Director, Dr. Jennifer Rukstad and listen as she shares her background and discusses the transitions the Missouri State High School Association is undergoing as three Assistant Executive Directors take advantage of their PSRS retirement eligibility.

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