The Maryland Scholastic Association (MSA) was a high school sports league governing high school sports in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The MSA was established in 1919 and was initially led by Dr. Phillip H. Edwards, a former coach at and then-President of Baltimore City College. The league was established as a central coordinating entity to ensure fair competition and handle operational processes like scheduling games. The MSA was founded as two leagues of approximately six teams each "to allow the difference in strength among some of the teams." The winners from each league initially played to determine a city champion. Founding members of the MSA included Baltimore City College, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, The Donaldson School, Dunham's School, Friends School of Baltimore, Loyola Blakefield, Mount Saint Joseph High School, Park School of Baltimore, William S. Marston School. Ultimately, MSA membership included public high schools from Baltimore City and surrounding counties, as well as Roman Catholic, other religious, and independent private schools.