by Jack Schouten
Missouri News Network
The Missouri State High School Activities Association is feeling pressure from lawmakers and the attorney general.
Some lawmakers are intent on creating a state commission with oversight over MSHSAA, while Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed a federal lawsuit recently describing the organization’s board selection process as discriminatory.
MSHSAA executive director Jennifer Rukstad released a statement Feb. 4 afternoon urging members to rally against Senate Bill 863.
Hours later, Hanaway announced her lawsuit, compelling another statement by Rukstad on Feb. 5.
The Senate bill has been on MSHSAA’s radar for multiple weeks because it would turn control of the activities association over to a board of directors appointed by the governor.
An amendment that has been proposed to the original bill by its sponsor, Sen. Jason Bean, R-Holcomb, provides significant detail of how MSHSAA’s authority would be reduced under the proposed commission. The commission would oversee day-to-day operations and the appeals process and would force the activities association to present comprehensive financial statements to the board of directors three times a year.
“For a century, our member schools have governed their association. It is time to fight for the future of high school sports and activities in our state,” Rukstad said. “If our 724 member schools want to retain their ownership and governance of their association, we must engage.”
MSHSAA presented an offer hoping to negotiate a new resolution that would be substituted for the bill. However, Rukstad said it feels there were no efforts or intention by the lawmakers to negotiate.
“I felt like the negotiations they had and that offer they paid to us didn’t really fit what we were looking to accomplish in this bill,” Bean said.
“We’re looking for transparency. We’re looking for fairness, and we feel what MSHSAA has done over the last not just few but many years has not accomplished that.”
Hanaway’s lawsuit claims MSHSAA violated federal anti-discrimination laws by refusing to consider a nominee for a leadership position based on the person’s race and sex.
“No organization, and certainly not a policymaking entity in charge of our children’s activities, will be allowed to defy and ignore federal anti-discrimination laws,” Hanaway said in a press release.
The lawsuit stems from a November investigation that confirmed MSHSAA policy ties eligibility for its two at-large board spots to race and sex, according to Hanaway in a press release.
“The lawsuit filed by the attorney general seeks to impose state control over the internal governance of a private association,” MSHSAA said in its statement.
Missouri did not create MSHSAA, does not fund it and does not oversee its operations.
“Nonetheless, the state now asks a federal court to dictate who may serve on MSHSAA’s volunteer board of directors and how its 724 member schools structure their leadership.”
MSHSAA says it is now a matter pending before the court so it will not litigate through the press.
