How Emerging Sports Become MSHSAA Championship Activities (and What’s Next for Girls Flag Football & Esports)

Dr. Jennifer Rukstad, Executive Director of the Missouri State High School Activities Association, explains how “emerging” sports and activities are recognized and what it takes for them to become fully interscholastic with MSHSAA-sponsored championships and services. She outlines the 2026–2027 list of emerging offerings (including girls field hockey, girls lacrosse, boys and girls water polo, girls stunt, unified track and field, bass fishing, bowling, chess, and target shooting) and clarifies what schools do and do not receive when registering an emerging program. Rukstad details the bylaw 5.2 registration thresholds (50+ schools across at least three board districts in consecutive years) and highlights girls flag football’s r ...