Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links
  • LRL Home
    • >
  • Agencies
    • >
  • Results

    • Minnesota Agencies

    Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

    Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

    State High School League

    Also known as:
    MSHSL
    Minnesota State High School League
    Active dates:1916-
    Authority:
    Minn. Stat. 129.121 [Renumbered 128C.01]
    Minn. Stat. 128C.01
    1989 Minn. Laws Chap. 220
    Function: Supervises and regulates interscholastic athletics, and musical, dramatic, and other contests between pupils of Minnesota high schools.
    History: The Minnesota State High School League was first organized in 1916 as the State High School Athletic Association. Its primary purposes were (1) to promote amateur sports and (2) to establish uniform eligibility rules for interscholastic contests.

    In 1929 it broadened its scope by including all interscholastic athletic activities and added speech and debate. At that time the name was changed to the Minnesota State High School League. Music was added in 1965 and Girls Athletics in 1969.

    The League has existed as a nonprofit, voluntary association of the public high schools since its inception. In 1960 it was officially incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota as a nonprofit corporation.

    A high school that is a school under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, may be a member of the league. The league is made up of high schools whose governing boards have delegated their control of extracurricular activities, as described in section 123B.49, subdivision 4, to the league. The delegation is made when the governing board files a certificate of delegation with the commissioner of education.
    Membership: 20 members (16 members selected by member schools; 4 public members); public members appointed by governor; 4-year terms; per diem.

    Entries for this agency in the Annual Compilation and Statistical Report of Multi-Member Agencies Report: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988.

    Note: This report provides membership details as well as meeting information and a summary of the group's activities.

    Agency heads: Chairman of the committee that formed the State High School League: Harry C. Bell, 1916-1927; Executive Directors: Otto Smith, 1928-1942; Harold Peterson, 1942-1958; Beverly HIll, 1959-1970; Murrae Freng, 1970-1985; Orv Bies, 1985-1988; David Stead, 1988-present (2016).
    Internet resource:
    Minnesota State High School League Bulletin, Winter 2016 (contains an article about the Executive Directors through 100 years of service)
    MN State High School League
    History of the Minnesota State High School League
    Board of Directors
    Record last updated: 10/30/2017
     

    Additional print information on this group may be available in the Library's collection of agency notebooks. Please contact a librarian for assistance. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

    Agencies image