The Mission of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association

Today Rotarians welcomed Brigid DeVries, Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Brigid has served as Commissioner since 2002 and is one of only three female commissioners in the United States. She spoke today about the mission of the Association which revolves around the enhancement of the high school educational experience for all member school student athletes through their participation of interscholastic sports and activities.

KHSAA was organized in 1917 when the principals of a few schools organized the Association to regulate, develop and purify high school athletics. The Association began as an independent entity. Today the Association reports to the Kentucky Board of Education and the Legislature. Its key responsibilities include the enforcement of eligibility regulations pertaining to participants and member schools, licensing, training and assignment of officials, and the administration of plans for state championships.

The Association is funded by member school dues, corporate sponsorships and gate receipts. It oversees ten male and ten female sports. The most popular sport is basketball for both genders followed by fast pitch softball for girls and baseball for boys. Every three years KHSAA championship sports are determined by a survey of member schools.

KHSAA member school services include training, communications, recognition of individual athletes, coaches and support staff, tournaments and KHSAA networking. Brigid is most prideful of the recognition opportunities available to deserving students. Each year $50,000 - $60,000 in scholarships are awarded to deserving students with achievements in both athletics and academics. These scholarships are made possible largely by corporate sponsorships.

Kentucky is home to the first site in the United States to house a high school sports museum. This museum honors achievements in high school sports throughout the last century. When complete, it will house a welcome center, sixteen regional kiosks that feature trophies, banners, and other pieces of memorabilia for significant moments in Kentucky high school sports history. The museum will also feature a Hall of Fame honoring students, coaches and support staff whose achievements have made an impact to the history of high school sports within the state. The museum and its contents are all dedicated to what is good about Kentucky including the teams, players, coaches and community support stemming from organized sports.

For more information about KHSAA including its mission, history, sponsored sports, upcoming tournaments and scoreboards, visit them on the web at http://www.khsaa.org.