PARTNERS
UNIFIED ACTIVITIES FEDERATION
The Iowa High School Athletic Association partners with the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, the Iowa High School Music Association, and the Iowa High School Speech Association to provide education-based activities to schools and students across the state.
IOWA Girls High School Athletic Union
The IGHSAU is the only state activity association in the nation solely devoted to promoting, directing and regulating interscholastic athletics for junior high and high school girls. The IGHSAU was created in 1925 to offer IHSAA member schools the ability to sponsor girls’ basketball, and it now sanctions 11 sports.
IOWA High School Music Association
The IHSMA develops, perpetuates, and establishes music as an art form in high schools across the state of Iowa. By regulating festivals, creating standards for musical performance, and encouraging the development of student musicians, the IHSMA enriches lives with their dedication to the arts. IHSMA offices are located inside the IHSAA.
IOWA High School Speech Association
The IHSSA offers three categories of speech competition for Iowa high school students in debate, large group, and individual events. The organization works to enhance oratory skills and charisma in students to build a foundation for various levels of public speaking in the future. IHSSA offices are located inside IGHSAU.
FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE NFHS
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leader and advocate for high school athletics as well as fine and performing arts programs. Within 51 member state associations (including Washington, D.C.), it serves 19,500 high schools and more than 12 million young people. The NFHS was born in 1920 when representatives from five states, including Iowa, met to discuss eligibility concerns. Organized as the Mid-West Federation of State High School Athletic Associations, the name was changed to the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations in 1923 as more and more states joined the organization
The NFHS writes playing rules for high school sports and provides guidance on a multitude of national issues. It offer online education courses for high school coaches, officials, students, parents, and speech and music leaders through the NFHS Learning Center. We showcase high school sports and performing arts online through the NFHS Network.