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.

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).

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.

In 1979, OHSAA adopted a bylaw prohibiting out-of-state students from competing in OHSAA-sponsored activities.