The first interscholastic activities organizations were the State High School Debate League and the State High School Athletic Association, both of which came in to being in 1910. The Debate League was centered in the Extension Division of the University of Kansas, although the governing body was composed of high school principals. Harold G. Gingham, Director of the University Extension Division, guided the debate activities until 1937.
The Athletic Association has been under the exclusive directions of superintendents and principals since its organizations in the fall of 1910. It grew from a small, voluntary group of fewer than 50 high schools in 1910 and 1911, until the early 1920's when as many as 500 high schools were members. With the increasing interest in athletics came problems in involving eligibility, sportsmanship, and outside agencies. A revision of the constitution in 1921 gave the Board of Control authority to assess penalties for violations, and some rather startling cases involving rules violations increased the prestige of the Association.
The time, attention and responsibilities required of the Board of Control led to a movement for a full-time executive secretary to serve as chief administrative officer. Membership dues were raised, a surplus created, and at the annual meeting in 1927, the Board of Control was authorized to employ a full-time executive officer and to establish permanent headquarters in Topeka.
Members of the Board of Control at that time were W.A.Wood, Pratt, President; C.W. Smick, Oberlin, Vice President; W.W. McConnell, Winfield, Secretary; E.R. Stevens, Independence, Treasurer; W.N. Van Slyck, Salina; and E.A. Thomas, Williamsburg. Mr. Thomas was later employed as the Associations first executive secretary. On August 1, 1927, headquarters were established in the National Reserve Building in Topeka.
In the early 1930's, a movement was started to organize an association to embrace all existing associations dealing with inter school events and with authority to supervise and regulate all interscholastic activities. After a number of years of study and planning by committees representing the High School Principals Association and other organizations such as the Debate League, Typist Association, and Music Educators Association, the Board of Control and headquarters staff of the Athletic Association were requested to assist in the formation of a new Activities Association and to administrate its program.
In 1937, the Activities Association came into being. Speech and music activities were organized including speech clinics, debate tournaments and music festivals. During the year, plans were also made to institute an Athletic Accident Benefit Plan to provide a schedule of benefits for students injured in athletic contests and practice periods.
Additional services have been instituted until at the present time all high school activities involving students from member schools are carried on under the supervision of the administrative staff of the Activities Association. These include KAY Leadership Camp, Student Council Workshop and conferences and festivals and/or clinics for student sand faculty interested in athletics, speech and drama, music, cheerleading and school-spirit groups.
The official magazine of the Association The Kansas State High School Activities Journal is published monthly. It contains important events, regulations and policies. Copies are distributed to all superintendents, principals, presidents of school boards and school personnel in charge of activities sponsored by the Association.
High school principals discussed the feasibility of establishing a character building, leadership training club program for high school students. One of the main objectives was to provide training for active participation in citizenship projects. In 1946, upon recommendation of the high school principals of the state, the Legislative Council gave it approval. After considerable deliberation, it was decided to establish a special organization know as the Kansas Association for Youth.
In 1952, lots were purchased at 1300 Topeka Avenue for a new Association headquarters. Construction was begun in April 1953, and the building was completed in December. On December 16, the new office was opened.
It was possible to increase the services to the schools with the addition of a printing department. This created a need for additional staff members and office space. The Executive Board authorized the purchase of ground at 520 West 27th in September 1967, for a new building. The property at 1300 Topeka Avenue was sold and the Association was moved to 520 West 27th, in Topeka. Kansas in August 1968.
The KSHSAA was reorganized on June 3, 1958, in compliance with the provisions of Ch. 341, Laws of Kansas, 1955, as amended by Ch. 375, Laws of Kansas, 1957. The Association had previously incorporated on January 16, 1956 under the corporation code of the State of Kansas. Major changes were made in the governing body to include six board of education or school board members, a representative of the State Board of Education, and a representative of the State Board for Vocational Education. Provisions of the law also required the establishment of an Appeal Board and the filing of an annual report with the State Department of Public Instruction.
On June 4, 1969, in compliance with the provisions of K.S.A. 72-130, 72-131, 72-132, 72-133, 72-134 as amended, the KSHSAA reorganized. The statute required changes in election districts for board of education representatives on the Board of Directors, two (2) representatives from the State Board of Education, and annual reports to be filed with the State Board of Education.
On April 21, 1993, K.S.A. 72-130 and 72-134 were repealed per House Bill No. 2067. A new governance procedure was enacted to reflect principals, superintendents, sizes of boards of education, State Board of Education, organizations, senior high leagues, gender, minority/ethnic and geographical representation, effective July 1, 1993.