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WIAA Announces State Slowpitch Softball Tournament Adjustments

State Slowpitch Changes
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WIAA Announces State Slowpitch Softball Tournament Adjustments

RENTON, WA (October 9, 2025) – The 2025 State Slowpitch Tournament is moving to Kiwanis Fields, located directly across the parking lot from the previous venue, Gateway Sports Complex. This location change is being made due to unforeseen field maintenance issues at Gateway Sports Complex. Kiwanis Fields are the three newer fields located in the northwest corner of Kiwanis Park, closer to Fair Avenue.

With this adjustment, the State Slowpitch Tournament schedule is changing from a four-field format to a three-field format, with corresponding time changes. The full, updated schedules can be found on the State Slowpitch brackets…

To be up to speed on everything State Slowpitch Softball, visit Slowpitch Softball Tournament Central.

For any questions, contact Jeneé James, Assistant Executive Director.

WIAA Launches Revamped Multimedia Policies

Media Policies Revamp
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WIAA LAUNCHES REVAMPED MULTIMEDIA POLICIES

RENTON, WA (September 8, 2025) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is excited to launch a revamped multimedia policies document, addressing changes to credential qualifications, how outlets will apply to cover WIAA State Championships, the creation of seasonal credentialing windows, and much more.

“This is an exciting update to the media landscape of WIAA State Championships,” Director of Communications Sean Bessette said. “Over the course of the last six months, it’s been important to build an encompassing document that clarifies a number of important media-related factors for WIAA State Championships.”

The launch of these updated media policies includes…

The new multimedia policies document can be located on the updated media resources webpage.

As of today, all previously approved media outlets have been reset. If your media outlet has previously received media credentials to WIAA State Championships, it will need to reapply to potentially gain media access this school year. If an outlet does not re-apply and receive approval, it won’t receive access to WIAA State Championships.

Going forward, the Association will operate on an annual model, where all approved media outlets are reset at the end of the school year.

Media outlets can submit their application for the 2025-26 WIAA State Championships now.

The WIAA will now only accept media outlet credential applications during specified seasonal credentialing windows. Once approved, an outlet will remain approved for the remainder of the school year, barring any revocation of credentials.

2025-26 SEASONAL CREDENTIALING WINDOWS
FALL: September 8, 2025 – October 15, 2025
WINTER: December 16, 2025 – January 15, 2026
SPRING: April 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026

Credential applications will not be accepted outside of the seasonal windows. For context, if Media Outlet plans to have media credentials for State Football Championships in December, Media Outlet must apply to become an approved outlet during the fall seasonal credentialing window. If Media Outlet does not apply during the window, the outlet will be unable to register for credentials to State Football Championships, for example, as the next seasonal credentialing window does not open until all fall State Championships have concluded.

The fall seasonal credentialing window is open now. Media outlets can submit their application for the 2025-26 WIAA State Championships now.

As the media landscape evolves, the WIAA acknowledges the growth of independent outlets, internet websites, freelancers, and similar media personnel. The revamped multimedia policies document outlines qualifications for media outlets that fall under the “Emerging Media” category.

Coinciding with the release of the revamped WIAA Multimedia Policies, the WIAA has updated the media resources webpage. The update was designed to make navigation easier for media members and to make information more readily available.

Media members are encouraged to navigate through the updated media resources webpage to become familiar with the changes. As a reminder, the fall credentialing window opened today, and media outlets interested in gaining media access to 2025-26 WIAA State Championships can apply now.

For any questions, contact Sean Bessette, Director of Communications.

WIAA Launches Agreement with Varsity Sports Live as Community & Promotional Partner

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WIAA LAUNCHES AGREEMENT WITH VARSITY SPORTS LIVE AS COMMUNITY & PROMOTIONAL PARTNER

RENTON, WA (AUGUST 22, 2025) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is excited to announce a new Community & Promotional Partnership with Varsity Sports Live and its platform, FinalScoreTV.

Through this partnership, Varsity Sports Live will highlight, celebrate, and strengthen school communities across Washington. FinalScoreTV will serve as a statewide platform to share stories from member schools and showcase the positive impact of high school sports and activities.

The platform is set to launch in November 2025, with coverage designed to encourage fans, families, and community members to fill gyms, stadiums, and fields in support of their local schools.

FOOTBALL, FLAG FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL COACHES:
Varsity Sports Live and FinalScoreTV want to hear from you. To have your team/school considered for highlighting and content development, answer a few questions on the form below. Submissions received by October 6 will have priority. Please fill out their survey at the following link: VARSITY SPORTS LIVE INTERVIEW FORM

2-Minute Drill: Health & Wellness Reminder

HealthWellnessReminder
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2-MINUTE DRILL: HEALTH & WELLNESS REMINDER

RENTON, Wash. (August 21, 2025) – As the fall sports season gets underway, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) reminds the Association’s membership that heat acclimatization, heat illness, air quality, and emergency action plans are critical topics of conversation. It is also important to start planning your pre-contest timeout cards for your contests. In today’s 2-Minute Drill presented by FinalForms, Justin Kesterson, WIAA Assistant Executive Director, shares critical information regarding health and wellness resources as the fall sports season begins.

Heat Index Calculator & Current Air Quality Guidelines

  • To support schools and coaches in decision-making, the Heat Index Calculator is available on the WIAA’s Health & Wellness page. By entering a ZIP code, the tool provides recommendations for practice accommodations when needed. The site also links to the Department of Health’s (DOH) current Air Quality Guidelines. Schools should work with their risk managers and local DOH when adjusting practice accommodations.

Emergency Action Plans & Pre-Contest Timeout Cards

  • Emergency Action Plans and Pre-Contest Timeout Cards have proven effective in saving lives and managing real-life emergencies during practices and contests. Templates for both are available on the WIAA’s Health & Wellness page. Now is a critical time to prepare, review, and practice emergency response protocols, and these resources provide a strong foundation.

WIAA LEAP Committee Class of 2027 Announced

LEAP

WIAA LEAP COMMITTEE CLASS OF 2027 ANNOUNCED

RENTON, Wash. (June 20, 2025) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is thrilled to welcome the following eight incoming juniors from WIAA member schools who have been selected to join the LEAP (Leadership through Education Activities and Personal Development) Committee as the Class of 2027:

BELLA ADASZEWSKI

BELLA ADASZEWSKI

CHENEY

SOPHIA CHUN

CENTRAL KITSAP

Ava Edgar

AVA EDGAR

SHADLE PARK

Mabel Egan

MABEL EGAN

HAZEN

MIA HUYNH

CHIEF SEALTH

Darin Muhittinoglu

DERIN MUHITTINOGLU

BOTHELL

MICHAEL PRIEST

OCOSTA

OWEN YEE

FIFE

Now entering its 19th year, the LEAP Committee is comprised of 16 juniors and seniors (eight juniors and eight seniors) representing the WIAA’s member schools and serving as the voice of the Association’s 225,000+ student participants. These juniors will serve a two-year term, joining the eight seniors who recently completed their first term during the 2024-25 school year.

Senior LEAP Committee members returning to serve their second term are: Taylor Almanza (Stanwood), Bernie Anderson (Holy Names Academy), Cate Doherty (Hermiston), Abel Garcia (Royal), Kaiyah Sandridge (Onalaska), Jazlyn Sosa (Zillah), Cooper Stafford (Sehome), and Justyce Zuniga (Toppenish).

All applicants completed an extensive application process, which included an online application, short essays, and a video personal statement about why they should be selected.

The LEAP Committee will meet five times throughout the school year to discuss and provide feedback on WIAA-related topics and initiatives. The group will also have the opportunity to be involved with WIAA State Tournaments and participate in WIAA Executive Board meetings.

In the summer prior to the start of their senior year, LEAP Committee members will participate in a summer retreat that combines team-building exercises, while also evaluating the previous year and setting goals for the upcoming year.

If you would like to learn more about the LEAP Committee, please contact Andy Knapp.

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Proud Supporting Partner of the WIAA LEAP Committee

2-Minute Drill: Transfer Reminders, Fall Workshops & Membership Renewal

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2-MINUTE DRILLs: Transfer AMENDMENT Reminders, Fall Workshops & Membership Renewal

RENTON, Wash. (June 18, 2025) – As the school year comes to a close, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is sharing important reminders to the Association’s membership through the release of a couple of 2-Minute Drills, presented by FinalForms. In the 2-Minute Drill’s below, Justin Kesterson, WIAA Assistant Executive Director, provides information on three important Association-related topics ahead of the 2025-26 school year.

Transfer Amendment Webinars

  • FinalForms and WIAA Staff are hosting webinars to educate the membership on the new transfer tracking platform through FinalForms. School representatives are encouraged to attend a webinar or watch a training video prior to attending a Fall Workshop, which will be available in the AD Center after next week’s training.

Upcoming Fall Workshops

  • Fall Workshops will take place from August 18-27 at six different sites across all six WIAA Districts. The dates and registration link for Fall Workshops are posted on the AD Center in MyWIAA.

Membership Renewal Completion Info.

  • The entire membership renewal process must be completed in FinalForms. Per WIAA Rule 3.1.4 – All member schools must complete the School Member Update process prior to the second Friday in July (11).

2025-26 WIAA Coaches School Launches; Access Course Content Now

Coaches School Release May 2025

2025-26 WIAA Coaches School Launches; Access Course Content Now

RENTON, Wash. (May 15, 2025) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) announces 2025-26 WIAA Coaches School.

WIAA Coaches School fulfills WIAA Coaching Standards requirements for three years. Registration for the 2025-2026 WIAA Coaches School is now open. The new series of courses launched May 15, 2025 and will be available on-demand through April 30, 2026. The registration amount is $65 plus fees, and pricing is subject to change on an annual basis. The registration deadline for 2025-26 WIAA Coaches School is March 31, 2026.

This new slate of courses features 17 new, unique presentations focused on sports psychology, DEI, medical aspects of coaching, legal aspects of coaching, and much more.

The purpose of the WIAA Coaching Standards program is to enhance the training of student-athletes by assuring that their coaches maintain a certain level of professional development throughout their careers. For full details regarding the WIAA Coaching Standards Requirements, please refer to the following sections of the WIAA Handbook:

  • Article 23.5.0: Coaching Requirements
  • Appendix 17: Coaches Standards Task-Based Checklist

Learn more and register for WIAA Coaches School at the link below.

WIAA Unveils 2024-25 Service Award Winners to be Honored at May 7 Hall of Fame Ceremony

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WIAA Unveils 2024-25 Service Award Winners to be Honored at May 7 Hall of Fame ceremony

RENTON, Wash. (April 22, 2025) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is excited to announce this year’s 2024-25 Gareth Giles and Chee Chee & Curt Bruskland Service Award Winners.

The following honorees will be presented with their award at the WIAA’s Hall of Fame Ceremony taking place at the Olympic Club at Lumen Field in Seattle on Wednesday, May 7. Tickets are available for purchase now, and the deadline to purchase is Thursday, May 1.

2024-25 GARETH GILES AWARD WINNERS

  • Jim Meyerhoff, Puyallup
  • Britt Atack, The Northwest School

Annually, the Representative Assembly selects nominations of persons who, by service to the ideals and purpose of the WIAA Representative Assembly, exemplify the leadership and dedication given to all students and member schools by Gareth Giles. The selection criteria include:

  1. A minimum of five years of service as a Representative Assembly member and/or WIAA Board member and/or Representative Assembly standing or special committee member.
  2. Leadership in the WIAA legislative process and procedures.
  3. Positive services in the resolution of problems.
  4. Dedication and loyalty to the WIAA and the implementation of WIAA rules among the schools of the nominees’ WIAA District.
  5. Consistent promotion of the purposes of the WIAA in giving first consideration to the activity programs and participating students.

2024-25 CHEE CHEE & CURT BRUSKLAND AWARD WINNERS

  • Cindy C-Wilson
  • Mike Dunwiddie
  • Jay Rydell

This award is presented to the individual(s) who exemplify the ultimate in service to the WIAA, either to the state association office or to WIAA member schools. These individuals have exhibited caring and kindness through their service that were a hallmark of the Brusklands.

To read more about this year’s Hall of Fame event, click the link below…

WIAA Representative Assembly Passes Seven Amendments; Sanctions Girls Flag Football & Adjusts Transfer Eligibility

Amendment Release 2025
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WIAA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY PASSES SEVEN AMENDMENTS; SANCTIONS GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL AND ADJUSTS TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY

RENTON, Wash. (April 21, 2025) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Representative Assembly voted to pass seven amendments—effective August 1, 2025—the Association announced Monday, April 21.

“I am incredibly thankful for the membership’s hard work throughout this amendment cycle, and the WIAA is excited to welcome a new activity to the Association. We’re thankful to the Seattle Seahawks and James Neil for their leadership in helping bring Girls Flag Football to this point, and we look forward to continuing that partnership as the sport grows statewide,” Executive Director Mick Hoffman said. “This process has highlighted the leadership and dedication of athletic administrators from across the state, who have spent months engaging in thoughtful discussions and collaboration. Their commitment ensured the amendment process was both inclusive and effective, and we’re proud to move forward with changes that reflect the voices of our member schools.”

ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY

The Representative Assembly is comprised of 53 school administrators—35 from high schools and 18 from middle-level schools—representing each of the six WIAA districts. The Assembly votes on proposed amendments, with voting delegates typically casting proxy votes aligned with the opinions of their league and WIAA District.

To pass, an amendment requires 60 percent approval from voting members. Specifically, 32 votes are needed for a high school/middle-level amendment to pass, 21 votes for a high school-only amendment, and 11 votes for a middle-level-only amendment.

VOTING RESULTS
A total of 16 amendments were proposed this year. Of those, seven were approved and will go into effect in the 2025–26 school year.

Additionally, two WIAA Executive Board positions were up for vote. Jeff Lowell (Bellevue School District, WIAA District 2) and Russ Waterman (Eastmont High School, WIAA District 5) were re-elected to their seats on the Executive Board.

For the first time since 1999, the WIAA has sanctioned a new sport: Girls Flag Football. With the sport officially sanctioned as of August 1, female student athletes will have a new opportunity, if their school offers the program, to take part in a healthy, organized activity and competition.

The membership also approved a significant change to transfer eligibility rules. After establishing initial eligibility at a high school, students may now transfer one time during their four-year high school career, but only within designated transfer windows. This is not a “transfer portal” and does not resemble the NCAA’s current model. Under the new rule, a student-athlete who transfers will be ineligible for varsity competition for 40% of the maximum number of allowable contests for sports played the previous year, as defined by each sport’s specific rules, in the school year following the transfer. This amendment is the result of a 22-person committee, established in January 2024, which evaluated how WIAA eligibility policies align with Washington State education goals and objectives, and whether existing policies disproportionately impact students.

Despite the failure of ML/HS #7 and ML/HS #8, the Association’s message remains clear: The WIAA remains committed to following Washington state law and will continue to do so moving forward. If state law changes in the future, the WIAA Executive Board holds the authority to revise policies accordingly—and now has input from the membership on how to proceed in that event, while remaining in compliance with state law.

To read the full language of each amendment, click the link below.

MEDIA CONTACT
Sean Bessette, Director of Communications

PASSED AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENTRULESUMMARYSO
ML/HS #38.11.0Would add an honorary board member position from the Rural Educators Center521
HS#618.12.0Adds an opportunity for students to transfer schools after initially establishing their athletic eligibility at the start of their ninth grade year296
HS #920.1.3Suspension following an ejection must be fulfilled at the same level as the contest in which the ejection occurred unless the final contest of that season341
ML #10All ML SportsPrecontest practice requirements for middle level would be the same as the number for high school153
HS #1339.0.0Would sanction girls flag football as a high school sport2213
ML/HS #1541.3.1 If at any point after 60 minutes of play in high school and 45 minutes at the middle level, the soccer match would be terminated if one team is ahead by eight goals467
ML #1641.64.0Middle level soccer players could participate in three contests per week162

 

FAILED AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENTRULESUMMARYSO
ML/HS #1N/AOnly the Representative Assembly could make editorial changes for typographical errors or changes in wording to reflect current interpretations1736
ML/HS #23.6.0Membership fees would increase by 25 percent in 2025-26 and in 2026-272825
HS #48.12.14Reduces the percentage of schools required to offer an activity/sport during the two-year trial2015
ML/HS #517.7.4Baseball/softball arm care: Throwing instructions/workouts may begin two weeks prior to the first practice date; workouts are limited to no more than four hours per week per team and per individual during this two-week period2132
ML/HS #718.16.0ADVISORY VOTE ONLY: If passed, amendment would not have been implemented under current State Law. Participation in girls’ sports would be limited to biological females3122
ML/HS #818.16.0ADVISORY VOTE ONLY: If passed, amendment would not have been implemented under current State Law. Athletic programs would be offered separately for boys, girls, and an open division for all students interested1340
HS #1132.0.0
42.0.0
Would increase the regular season contest limit from 20 to 22 games in baseball, slowpitch and fastpitch softball1025
ML/HS #1221.5.4.C
32.65.4.C
Violations of the baseball pitch count rule will cause the head coach to be suspended until after the next school contest at the same level of competition2627
HS #1441.0.0Would increase the regular season contest limit from 16 to 18 matches in soccer1322

Osborn & Tesfamichael Highlight 2025 Smart Choices Award Winners

Smart Choices

OSBORN & TESFAMICHAEL HIGHLIGHT 2025 SMART CHOICES AWARD WINNERS

RENTON, Wash. (April 11, 2025) – The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), Gesa Credit Union, and the Dairy Farmers of Washington announced Macy Osborn of West Valley (Spokane) High School and Rahwa Tesfamichael of Auburn High School as the $5,000 recipients of the 13th annual Smart Choices Scholarship, Friday.

In addition to the two $5,000 scholarships, Gesa Credit Union and the Dairy Farmers of Washington teamed up to provide eight $1,000 scholarships:

Bryn Beckman – Rainier
Dexter Delaney – Liberty Bell
Cameron Downing – Olympia
Nikolas Husarik – Emerald Ridge
James McAnally – Colfax
Aidan Nguyen – Mountain View
Nancy Ta – Lindbergh
Brynn Williams – Tenino

“Each year, we continue to be inspired by the remarkable students who are recognized through the Smart Choices Scholarship,” said WIAA Executive Director Mick Hoffman. “This year’s recipients exemplify what it means to lead with integrity, resilience, and a heart for service—both in competition and in their communities. We are proud to support their continued success as they take the next step in their academic and personal journeys.”

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