School pride. Competition. Opportunity.
Adapted athletics gives high school student-athletes with disabilities the opportunity to compete in varsity sports while representing their school. These interscholastic programs are sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL).
The MAAA’s goal is to provide meaningful school sports experiences and the same opportunities for competition, teamwork, and achievement offered to other high school athletes.
Explore the four sports
All four sports are played indoors. Select a sport to learn about its season, rules, and resources.
More than the game
Adapted athletics supports the education of the whole person. Students with varying types of disabilities compete co-educationally, representing their school district or a combination of districts. Participation helps athletes develop:
- Goal setting
- Confidence and pride
- Friendship and connection
- Leadership and teamwork
- Competitive spirit
- Sportsmanship
- Fitness and well-being
- Focus and determination
- Community and belonging
- Commitment and follow-through
The MAAA Board believes the mental and physical skills students acquire through participation can help them lead productive, well-rounded lives.
Competing and growing as a team
Adapted athletics gives students with disabilities the opportunity to compete in varsity sports and represent their schools. Athletes practice, develop their skills, and strengthen their understanding of the game to earn playing time and contribute to their team’s goals.
Like their peers in other varsity sports, adapted athletes have opportunities to earn school, conference, and state tournament awards that recognize their achievements.
Throughout the season, athletes work to:
- Develop skills through practice and effort
- Learn the rules of the game
- Understand strategy and work together as a team
- Build confidence through challenges and accomplishments
- Stay committed to their team and its goals
- Support teammates during competition and from the sidelines
- Take an active role in their school and community
Built from athletes’ desire to compete
Adapted athletics developed with input from coaches, educators, former players, and high school league officials. The athletes themselves wanted a sports experience like the programs offered to their classmates—competitive interscholastic sports alongside the other varsity programs at their schools.
Minnesota became the first state to have adapted sports officially sanctioned by a state high school league, creating opportunities where none had previously existed.
November 1992: “In an emotional and unanimous vote, the Minnesota State High School League welcomes athletics with disabilities into its family.”— StarTribune, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN