Ohio High School Athletic Association
Governing body of athletic programs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is the governing body of athletic programs for junior and senior high schools in the U.S. state of Ohio. The OHSAA governs eligibility of student athletes, resolves disputes, organizes levels of competition by divisional separation of schools according to attendance population, and conducts state championship competitions in all the OHSAA-sanctioned sports.
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| Abbreviation | OHSAA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1907 |
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose | Athletic/Educational |
| Headquarters | 4080 Roselea Pl. Columbus, Ohio U.S. |
Region served | Ohio |
Official language | English |
Executive Director | Doug Ute |
| Affiliations | National Federation of State High School Associations |
| Staff | 22 |
| Website | ohsaa.org |
| Remarks | (614) 267-2502 |
Membership
There are approximately 820 member high schools and 850 more schools in the 7th-8th grade division of the OHSAA. Most public and private high schools in Ohio belong to the OHSAA.[1]
Structure
Districts
The Association is divided into six districts, each with its own District Athletic Board, including the Central District, East District, Northeast District, Northwest District, Southeast District, and Southwest District.
The District boards conduct Sectional and District tournaments. The main OHSAA board conducts Regional and State tournaments.[2]
Classifications and divisions
Member high schools are divided into three classifications (A, AA, AAA). Prior to 1989 many sports held tournaments based on these classifications. Since then, each sport individually divides into numbered divisions based on enrollment, taking into account the total number of schools offering that varsity sport and placing an equal number of schools in each division.
The classifications (A being the smallest schools, AAA the largest) are still used to fill spots on the six District Athletic Boards (two representatives from each class).
The number of divisions varies based on how many schools offer that sport. Football has the most, with seven divisions (Division I being the largest schools). Three sports have a single division: Boys' Ice Hockey, Girls' Field Hockey, and Gymnastics.[2] Beginning with the 2024-25 School year Baseball, boys and girls basketball, softball and girls volleyball will grow from four to seven postseason divisions and boys and girls soccer will go from three to five.[3]
History
The OHSAA is an unincorporated, non-profit organization founded in 1907. Members of the Western Ohio Superintendents' Round Table had frequently discussed the need of a central organization for high school athletics. In 1906 they passed a resolution to appoint a committee, headed by George R. Eastman, the first President of the Board of Control.
The first OHSAA-sponsored state tournament, Track and Field, was held on May 23, 1908, at Denison University. Columbus North became the first state champions, finishing ahead of Dayton Steele.[1]
The OHSAA is currently headed by a commissioner.[4] Prior to 1925, the Board of Control officers handled duties now associated with the Commissioner.
In 1979, OHSAA adopted a bylaw prohibiting out-of-state students from competing in OHSAA-sponsored activities. This rule was affirmed by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in the 1985 case Alerding v. Ohio High School Athletic Association, regarding St. Xavier High School students from Northern Kentucky.
Commissioners since 1925
- H.R. Townsend (1925–1944)
- Harold Emswiler (1944–1958)
- W.J. McConnell (1958–1963)
- Paul E. Landis (1963–1969)
- Harold A. Meyer (1969–1977)
- George D. Bates (1977–1980)
- Richard L. Armstrong (1980–1989)
- Clair Muscaro (1990–2004)
- Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D. (2004–2018)
- Jerry Snodgrass (2018–2020)
- Doug Ute (2020–present)
OHSAA–sponsored sports tournaments
Boys
| Season | Sport | Tournament Structure | # of Divisions | 1st Tournament | 2025-26 State Tournament Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cross Country | District, Regional, & State | 3 | 1928 | Fortress Obetz, Obetz Memorial Park, Obetz |
| Fall | Football | Regional & State | 7 | 1972 | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton |
| Fall | Golf | Sectional, District & State | 3 | 1927 (Spring sport 1927–1974) | Firestone Country Club, Akron (Div I) NCR Country Club, Dayton (Div II) North Star Golf Resort, Sunbury (Div III) |
| Fall | Soccer | Sectional, District, Regional & State | 5 | 1976 | Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus |
| Winter | Basketball | Sectional, District, Regional, & State | 7 | 1923 | UD Arena, University of Dayton, Dayton |
| Winter | Bowling | Sectional, District, & State | 2 | 2007 | HP Lanes, Columbus |
| Winter | Ice Hockey | District & State | 1 | 1978 | Nationwide Arena, Columbus |
| Winter | Swimming and Diving | Sectional, District, & State | 2 | 1928 | C. T. Branin Natatorium, Canton |
| Winter | Wrestling | Sectional, District, & State | 3 | 1938 | Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, Ohio State University, Columbus |
| Winter | Wrestling-Dual Meet | Regional & State | 3 | 2013–2020 (discontinued) | |
| Winter | Gymnastics | Sectional, District, & State | 1 | 1926–1937; 1965–1993 (discontinued) | |
| Spring | Baseball | Sectional, District, Regional, & State | 7 | 1928 | 7 17 Credit Union Park, Akron |
| Spring | Track and Field | District, Regional, & State | 3 | 1908 | Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ohio State University, Columbus |
| Spring | Tennis | Sectional, District, & State | 2** | 1922 | Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason |
| Spring | Lacrosse | State | 2 | 2017 | Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus |
| Spring | Volleyball | State | 2 | 2023 | Wittenberg University, Springfield |
Girls
| Season | Sport | Tournament Structure | # of Divisions | 1st Tournament | 2025-26 State Tournament Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cross Country | District, Regional, & State | 3 | 1978 | Fortress Obetz, Obetz Memorial Park, Obetz |
| Fall | Field Hockey | State Qualifying & State | 1 | 1979 | Thomas Worthington High School, Worthington |
| Fall | Golf | Sectional, District & State | 2 | 1993 | NCR Country Club, Firestone Country Club, Akron (Div I) Heatherwoode Golf Club, Springboro (Div II) |
| Fall | Soccer | Sectional, District, Regional & State | 5 | 1985 | Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus |
| Fall | Tennis | Sectional, District, & State | 2** | 1976 | Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason |
| Fall | Volleyball | Sectional, District, Regional, & State | 7 | 1975 | Nutter Center, Wright State University, Dayton |
| Winter | Basketball | Sectional, District, Regional, & State | 7 | 1976 | UD Arena, University of Dayton, Dayton |
| Winter | Bowling | Sectional, District, & State | 2 | 2007 | HP Lanes, Columbus |
| Winter | Gymnastics | Sectional, District, & State | 1 | 1977 | Hilliard Bradley High School, Hilliard |
| Winter | Swimming and Diving | Sectional, District, & State | 2 | 1977 | C.T. Branin Natatorium, Canton |
| Winter | Wrestling | Sectional, District, & State | 3 | 2023 | Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, Ohio State University, Columbus |
| Spring | Softball | Sectional, District, Regional, & State | 7 | 1978 | Firestone Stadium, Akron |
| Spring | Track and Field | District, Regional, & State | 3 | 1975 | Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Ohio State University, Columbus |
| Spring | Lacrosse | State | 2 | 2017 | Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus |
- **(Individual/Doubles only, no Team championships)
Past team state champions
Schools with most team titles
| Rank | # of
Titles |
School | City | # of
Boys Titles |
# of
Girls Titles |
Year of
First Title |
Year of
Last Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68 | St. Edward | Lakewood | 68 | X* | 1978 | 2025 |
| 2 | 65 | St. Xavier | Cincinnati | 65 | X* | 1957 | 2025 |
| 3 | 56 | Upper Arlington | Upper Arlington | 28 | 28 | 1937 | 2025 |
| 4 | 49 | St. Ignatius | Cleveland | 49 | X* | 1988 | 2025 |
| 5 | 43 | Minster | Minster | 9 | 34 | 1976 | 2025 |
| 6 | 42 | Hawken | Gates Mills | 7 | 35 | 1977 | 2022 |
| 7 | 40 | Walsh Jesuit | Cuyahoga Falls | 22 | 18 | 1982 | 2023 |
| 8 | 36 | Columbus Academy | Gahanna | 20 | 16 | 1977 | 2025 |
| 9 | 35 | Graham | St. Paris | 35 | 0 | 1930 | 2025 |
| 10t | 34 | St.Vincent-St.Mary | Akron | 23 | 11 | 1972 | 2022 |
| 10t | 34 | St. Francis DeSales | Columbus | 25 | 9 | 1971 | 2025 |
| 10t | 34 | Thomas Worthington | Worthington | 12 | 22 | 1938 | 2025 |
| 13 | 32 | Brecksville-Broadview Heights | Broadview Heights | 5 | 27 | 1981 | 2025 |
| 14t | 31 | Archbishop Alter | Kettering | 20 | 11 | 1978 | 2025 |
| 14t | 31 | Coldwater | Coldwater | 19 | 12 | 1983 | 2025 |
| 16 | 28 | Newark Catholic | Newark | 17 | 11 | 1978 | 2025 |
| 17 | 27 | Canton McKinley | Canton | 23 | 4 | 1937 | 2010 |
| 18t | 26 | Archbishop Moeller | Cincinnati | 26 | X* | 1972 | 2023 |
| 18t | 26 | Marion Local | Maria Stein | 20 | 6 | 1975 | 2024 |
| 20t | 24 | East Technical | Cleveland | 23 | 1 | 1920 | 2002 |
| 20t | 24 | Beaumont School | Cleveland Heights | X | 24 | 1986 | 2012 |
| 20t | 24 | Archbishop Hoban | Akron | 12 | 12 | 1980 | 2024 |
| 20t | 24 | Bishop Watterson | Columbus | 16 | 8 | 1972 | 2025 |
| 24t | 22 | Elder | Cincinnati | 22 | X* | 1943 | 2005 |
| 24t | 22 | Dublin Jerome | Dublin | 13 | 9 | 2004 | 2025 |
| 26t | 21 | Mount Notre Dame | Cincinnati | X* | 21 | 1995 | 2021 |
| 26t | 21 | Glenville | Cleveland | 21 | 0 | 1959 | 2025 |
| 26t | 21 | St. Henry | St. Henry | 14 | 7 | 1979 | 2025 |
| 29 | 20 | St. Ursula Academy | Cincinnati | X* | 20 | 1991 | 2024 |
| 30t | 18 | Versailles | Versailles | 8 | 10 | 1965 | 2021 |
| 30t | 18 | Centerville | Centerville | 6 | 12 | 1928 | 2022 |
| 30t | 18 | Magnificat | Rocky River | X* | 18 | 1990 | 2024 |
| 30t | 18 | Gilmour Academy | Gates Mills | 7 | 11 | 1971 | 2024 |
| 30t | 18 | Beavercreek | Beavercreek | 9 | 9 | 1941 | 2025 |
| 30t | 18 | Summit Country Day | Cincinnati | 12 | 6 | 1995 | 2025 |
| 36t | 17 | Pickerington Central | Pickerington | 8 | 9 | 1985 | 2025 |
| 36t | 17 | Mason | Mason | 7 | 10 | 2000 | 2024 |
| 36t | 17 | University School | Hunting Valley | 17 | X* | 1990 | 2025 |
| 36t | 17 | Bishop Hartley | Columbus | 8 | 9 | 1976 | 2016 |
| 40t | 16 | Villa-Angela/St. Joseph | Cleveland | 13 | 3 | 1965 | 2017 |
| 40t | 16 | Dunbar | Dayton | 15 | 1 | 1948 | 2017 |
| 40t | 16 | Cincinnati Ursuline Academy | Cincinnati | X* | 16 | 1975 | 2022 |
| 40t | 16 | Woodridge | Cuyahoga Falls | 12 | 4 | 1995 | 2025 |
| 44t | 15 | Cleveland Heights | Cleveland Heights | 11 | 4 | 1932 | 2008 |
| 44t | 15 | Jefferson Township | Dayton | 12 | 3 | 1957 | 2010 |
| 44t | 15 | Kettering Fairmont / West | Kettering | 4 | 11 | 1961 | 2021 |
| 44t | 15 | Dublin Coffman | Dublin | 7 | 8 | 1977 | 2021 |
| 44t | 15 | Fort Loramie | Fort Loramie | 8 | 7 | 1977 | 2024 |
| 44t | 15 | Hiland | Berlin | 9 | 6 | 1992 | 2025 |
- * X = single-gender school
Schools with most team titles in one sport
| Rank | # of Titles |
School | City | Sport | First | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 | St. Xavier | Cincinnati | Boys' Swimming | 1970 | 2024 |
| 2 | 38 | St. Edward | Lakewood | Wrestling | 1978 | 2025 |
| 3 | 32 | Hawken | Gates Mills | Girls' Swimming | 1984 | 2022 |
| 4 | 26 | Graham | St. Paris | Wrestling | 1982 | 2025 |
| 5 | 25 | Brecksville-Broadview Heights | Broadview Heights | Girls' Gymnastics | 1994 | 2025 |
| 6 | 18 | Glenville | Cleveland | Boys' Track | 1959 | 2023 |
| 7t | 17 | Upper Arlington | Upper Arlington | Boys' Golf | 1941 | 2006 |
| 7t | 17 | Minster | Minster | Girls' Cross Country | 1982 | 2025 |
| 9 | 16 | Beaumont School | Cleveland Heights | Girls' Track | 1986 | 2008 |
| 10 | 15 | Marion Local | Maria Stein | Football | 2000 | 2024 |
| 11t | 14 | St. Ignatius | Cleveland | Soccer | 2004 | 2024 |
| 11t | 14 | Upper Arlington | Upper Arlington | Girls' Swimming | 2003 | 2025 |
| 13t | 13 | Canton McKinley | Canton | Boys' Swimming | 1937 | 1961 |
| 13t | 13 | East Technical | Cleveland | Boys' Track | 1920 | 1955 |
| 13t | 13 | Minster | Minster | Girls' Track | 1976 | 2018 |
| 16t | 12 | Columbus Academy | Gahanna | Field Hockey | 1994 | 2019 |
| 16t | 12 | Columbus Academy | Gahanna | Boys' Golf | 1983 | 2021 |
| 16t | 12 | Elder | Cincinnati | Baseball | 1943 | 2005 |
| 19t | 11 | St. Edward | Lakewood | Ice Hockey | 1985 | 2008 |
| 19t | 11 | St. Ignatius | Cleveland | Football | 1988 | 2011 |
| 19t | 11 | Walsh Jesuit | Cuyahoga Falls | Girls' Soccer | 2000 | 2023 |
| 19t | 11 | Woodridge | Peninsula | Boys' Cross Country | 2006 | 2025 |
| 23t | 10 | Strasburg-Franklin | Strasburg | Girls Softball | 1987 | 2024 |
| 23t | 10 | Maple Heights | Maple Heights | Wrestling | 1956 | 1974 |
| 23t | 10 | Magnificat | Rocky River | Girls' Gymnastics | 1990 | 2003 |
| 23t | 10 | Dunbar | Dayton | Boys' Track | 1948 | 2017 |
| 23t | 10 | Mount Notre Dame | Cincinnati | Girls' Volleyball | 1995 | 2020 |
| 23t | 10 | St. Vincent–St. Mary | Akron | Boys' Basketball | 1984 | 2022 |
| 23t | 10 | Dublin Jerome | Dublin | Boys' Golf | 2004 | 2025 |
| 23t | 10 | Thomas Worthington | Worthington | Girls' Field Hockey | 1988 | 2025 |
| 23t | 10 | University School | Hunting Valley | Boys' Swimming | 2009 | 2025 |
Schools with most consecutive team titles in each sport
* active streak