This page introduces a category of “Emerging Sport” and outlines a pathway to achieve “Championship Sport” status – as approved unanimously by the MIAA Board of Directors on November 12, 2025.
A “sport” is defined as an athletic activity for the purpose of competition against teams or individuals within an interscholastic competition structure. It operates under standardized rules ratified by at least one official regulatory agency and/or governing body. MIAA member schools are currently offering, and may continue to offer, a School-Sponsored Sport that does not fall under the jurisdiction of the MIAA.
This process should only be utilized by member schools that wish to submit a proposal for consideration of adding an Emerging Sport under MIAA governance.
Emerging Sport Criteria
To be considered as an Emerging Sport, a complete and accurate application will need to be submitted to the MIAA Board of Directors for review. The application must be initiated by an MIAA member school leader. Completion of the application process does not guarantee approval as an Emerging Sport. If an application is incomplete, inaccurate or late, the application will not be considered. If an applicant sport is not approved as an Emerging Sport, it is eligible to apply in a subsequent school year.
MIAA member schools must demonstrate proper sponsorship of the applicant sport in the following ways:
- At least 15% of the Association membership, at the time of application, sponsor the applicant sport and offer comprehensive participation opportunities
- Provide support letters from principals of MIAA member schools (minimum 15%) that currently or intend to sponsor the sport, and seek MIAA jurisdiction
- Fulfill the requirements of MIAA Handbook Rule 2 (“School Team”) as well as follow all MIAA Handbook rules
- Most recent participation results at time of application
- If participation results are not available, an MIAA member school must provide an approved schedule for the academic year in which the application is reviewed; the schedule must be signed by the Principal or the Principal’s designee
Additional documentation for the applicant may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Data of participants at the youth and high school levels
- Data of regional geography of the sport
- Letter from the National Governing Body in support of school sponsorship
Application Process
Application and supporting materials must be submitted to the MIAA by October 1. The Association’s staff will conduct an initial review and will arrange for the application to be presented to the MIAA Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled meeting. The applicant(s) will be given the opportunity to present before the Board of Directors.
Application Review
As part of the Board of Directors evaluation, an applicant sport may be considered within the following contexts:
- Health and safety
- Growth potential at the high school level
- MIAA governance adherence
- Budgetary implications
- Regional geography of the sport
- Adherence to equity
- Established sport rules for high school student-athletes
- Availability of trained Game Officials
- Other applicant sports pursuing Emerging Sport status
The Board of Directors will provide feedback on all submitted applications.
Establishing a Sport Committee
Upon approval by the Board of Directors of a successful application, a Sport Committee will be formed to work with the MIAA in developing rules and guidelines, and to assist the Emerging Sport along the path to potentially receiving Championship Sport status.
The MIAA Sport committee must provide a progress report to the Board of Directors before the October and May meetings.
Championship Sport Status
If a sport reaches the threshold of 20% of the Association membership (currently 76 MIAA member schools), the Board of Directors – with Tournament Management Committee support – will consider permitting the sport to elevate to Championship Status. Further, an Emerging Sport is limited to a 3-year period to become a Championship Sport, unless it can be demonstrated that steady growth within the membership has occurred during that time.
If at any time a Sport fails to maintain the minimum sponsorship threshold of 20% of MIAA member schools, the sport will enter a review period of a maximum of 3 years.
The MIAA may continue to sponsor a Championship in the sport during the 3-year review period, during which time the sport must either:
- Re-establish the 20% minimum sponsorship threshold
- Demonstrate that steady growth within the membership has occurred
If the Sport fails to meet either of the above criteria during the 3-year review period, the Board of Directors may vote to remove the Sport from MIAA jurisdiction.