1900-1925

Although the records are not precise before 1925, there is considerable evidence to show that the schools in Washington were deeply concerned about interscholastic athletics.  Shortly after 1900, the Washington High School Athletic Association was formed.  Meetings were held in conjunction with the annual Washington Education Association conventions.  A three-man Board of Control administered the affairs of the Association.  Much of our basic philosophy was established, yet the need for more complete organization became apparent.  The National Federation lists 1920 as the year of our official beginning.

 

 

 

1925-1958

1925 to 1958 saw considerable growth in the development and control of interscholastic athletics in Washington State.  In February of 1925, by referendum vote, an assembly of eight (8) was chosen from eight districts to formulate rules for the Association.  The next month the assembly was expanded to sixteen (16) to conform to the number that came to the State Basketball Tournament.  During the ensuing years the number of Board of Control members increased from three (3) to eight (8), Representative Assembly members from eight (8) to thirty-two (32), and administrative districts from eight (8) to ten (10).

In 1936 our State joined the National Federation.  The March 1946 Representative Assembly authorized the formation of a State Officials Association for Football and Basketball. The junior high schools of the state came under the jurisdiction of the Association through action of the September 1946 Representative Assembly.  A Junior High Committee, created in March 1952, and now a permanent committee, drew up the current Rules for Junior High Schools.  They went into effect in July 1954.

In 1950 Henry DeYoung became the first full-time Executive Secretary and offices were established in the Lloyd Building in Seattle.

1958-83

On July 1, 1958, WHSAA became WIAA.  Debate and music were added to athletics to make our organization the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.  Proper constitutional changes were made to create permanent state music and debate committees.  Two school directors became ex-officio members of the Representative Assembly.  An Assistant Executive Secretary was added to the staff in July 1961.  Wrestling officials were added to the WOA in 1963, and an Officials Association for Girls' Sports was added in 1974.

On May 1, 1964, the Association offices were moved to the WEA Building in Seattle.  Regulations for girls' athletic activities were added to the Association by action of the 1967 Representative Assembly.  In July of 1970, WIAA was privileged to host the 51st National Federation Annual Conference. The Association moved into its own office building near Lake Sammamish in Bellevue on November 1, 1971.  In 1972 the Executive Board was increased from eight (8) to ten (10) members; and an Assistant Executive Secretary for Girls' Sports was added.  In 1977, the Representative Assembly grew to thirty-five (35) members, and an Administrative Assistant for Publicity was added to the staff.  The WIAA became a nonprofit, incorporated Association in 1980.

In 1981 the WIAA Districts were reduced from ten (10) to nine (9).  The Executive Board membership remained at ten (10) with one member at large elected from the west side.  The title of Executive Secretary was changed to Executive Director.

After 21 years of service to the schools of the State of Washington, Henry E. Rybus retired as Executive Director receiving the National Federation's highest service award in 1982.

During the 1982-83 school year WIAA "piloted" the catastrophic insurance coverage plan for the member school districts of Washington State.  The plan was offered nationwide the following year.

1983-Present

In the summer of 1983 WIAA hosted the 64th National Federation Annual Conference.

In 1984, softball and soccer associations and boards were added to the Washington Officials Association.  Additional state tournaments added in 1984 were:  "AA" Girls' and Boys' Soccer; "A/B" Softball; "AA" Boys' and Girls' Swimming; and "A/B" Tennis.

Following the 1977 pioneering of the multi-championship football games of the "Kingbowl", WIAA offered the nation's first concurrent basketball tournaments in one facility at the Tacoma Dome in 1985, and added a second "AA" tourney in 1988.

"Project High Five" and the academic achievement recogntion program were initiated by the WIAA Board during 1984.

The October of 1985, Washington hosted the Annual National Federation Sections seven (7) and eight (8) meeting.

In 1987, Cheerleading became a WIAA sanctioned activity.  Theatre and Drama was added in 1988, and Dance/Drill in 1990.

US Bank was the corporate sponsor of WIAA State Tournaments from 1987 through 1996.

In 1988 the "AA" and "AAA" classification returned to the 16-team basketball tournaments after 25 years of regionals.  State tournaments for "B" Softball and "A/B" Golf were added in 1987.

Beginning July 1, 1988, after three years of study, the Washington Officials Association (WOA) and WIAA member schools entered into an unprecedented agreement with the Washington State Labor and Industrial (L&I) Department to assure workers compensation insurance coverage for all WOA Officials.

In 1989, Boys A/B Soccer and a separate Girls' A/B Golf Tournament were added and Mat Classic I took place in the Tacoma Dome.

WIAA Schools named student "Dreamers and Doers" to the national Disney sponsored program starting in 1989-90.  In 91-92 the program was discontinued, and the WIAA/ALPAC/7-UP/Hugh McElhenny scholarship was inaugurated for "Believers and Achievers".

John Olson joined the Executive Staff as WIAA's first legal counsel in 1990.

WIAA Executive Director Cliff Gillies was elected to and served as the National Federation President for 1990-91.  That same year the sportsmanship recognition medallions were introduced at the state tournament contests.

The 1992 Spring Sports State Championships were first held statewide at three sites:  Tacoma area (AAA), Spokane area (A/B), and Washington State University (Pullman area) (AA).  AA/AAA Track (Startrack) and A/B State Track Meets remained at their traditional sites of Tacoma Lincoln Bowl and Eastmont High School.  This was the state's first Springfest.

The Expulsion/Suspension Rule was adopted in 1992.

The State Board of Education adopted by resolution on May 29, 1990, qualificaton standards required for all interscholastic coaches by the school year 1994-1995.  These standards were proposed by Representatives of School Directors, Superintendents, Principals, Athletic Directors, Coaches, and WIAA.  The standards were also required of Cheer coaches and Dance/Drill coaches beginning in 1996.

In 1992 WIAA's first fastpitch softball tournament for AAA, AA and A was held for those schools who elected to play fastpitch instead of slowpitch.

The 1996 Representative Assembly added a 5th classification of schools and a separate Middle Level Representative Assembly, beginning with the 1997-98 school year.

Girls’ bowling came under WIAA jurisdiction as a winter sport through action of the 1999 Representative Assembly.