The IHSA Board of Directors met for their regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Tuesday, August 22, where the Board filled two vacancies by appointing Bloomington High School Principal Tim Moore
(above right) and Dunbar High School Principal Gerald Morrow
(below right) to the Board.
Moore will serve the role as the Board representative of Division 5, while Morrow will fill the At-Large minority seat. Both appointments last until 2018, at which point both will have the opportunity to run for re-election.
“We are very pleased to be able to welcome back Gerald, and have Tim join the IHSA Board of Directors,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Not only are they both respected principals and good people, but they also have experience with the IHSA that will benefit everyone involved during this time of transition.”
Morrow is beginning his
second term on the IHSA Board after being
appointed to fill a retirement vacancy in September, 2014. He was the principal at Robeson High School at the time of the appointment, but transitioned to Dunbar during his term. He ultimately lost his reelection bid to Leo High School’s Phil Mesina in October, 2015. Morrow replaces Mesina, who left Leo for a new position this fall. Morrow owns the
unique distinction of having played on an IHSA state championship basketball team at King High School in 1986, as well officiating the Boys Basketball State Finals in 2010 and 2011.
Moore joins the Board after serving on the IHSA’s Legislative Commission the past two years. Moore, who ascended to Bloomington’s principal post in 2007, replaces Maroa-Forsyth Principal Scott Adreon, who left Board Division 5 when he took the principal positon at Dunlap High School in August.
Morrow and Moore are expected to attend the Board’s next meeting on Monday, September 12, 2016.
ACTION ITEMS
1. The Board approved a recommendation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Special Olympics Illinois (SOLL) and the IHSA.
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson:
“This Memorandum of Understanding essentially just puts on paper the things we are already working with Special Olympics on, which includes identifying areas where we can work together to create participation opportunities in unified sports at our member schools.”
2. The Board approved a program for International Students at St. Patrick High School in Chicago.
3. The Board approved a contract with the
NFHS Network to collaborate in facilitating corporate partnerships.
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson:
“As a staff, our day-to-day focus is on the enforcement of rules and facilitation of tournaments. Corporate sponsorship is an area we simply don’t have a great deal expertise in or the time to pursue. The NFHS Network has a been an outstanding partner in our broadcasting efforts for several years, while adding quality corporate partners like Under Armour and Olive Garden along the way. The NFHS Network understands education-based athletics and activities, and we believe they can help us explore new partnerships with groups who share in the IHSA’s mission to support high school students in Illinois.”
4. The Board approved updates to the IHSA’s Document Retention Policy.
5. The Board approved the IHSA’s Personnel Policies for the 2016-17 school year.
APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Wheaton (Warrenville South). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.
2. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Columbia High School. The student was originally ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030. The student was granted partial eligibility and can begin to compete immediately, but further requirements must be met prior to being granted postseason eligibility.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the August 22, 2016, agenda:
1. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director Scott Johnson on the new free
IHSA mobile smartphone app, which is available on the
Apple iTunes,
Google Play/Android and Microsoft (link coming soon) app stores.
2. The Board heard a report from Board member Robert Nolting, principal at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, on the work of an ad hoc committee he chaired that has reviewed IHSA rules and compliance on items that include transferring and open gyms. Nolting summarized the committee’s work and the Board will continue to discuss formulating the committee’s ideas into by-law proposals.
3. The Board met with representatives from Dixon High School regarding the school’s swimming & diving cooperative agreements.
4. Representatives from Chicago (UNO/Soccer Academy) talked to the Board about obtaining full IHSA membership.
5. The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Sam Knox on the 2016 IHSA Officials Conference, which was attended by over 700 officials in East Peoria on July 22-23.
6. The Board heard a report from Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson on the 2016 IHSA All-School Mailing.
7. The Board heard a report on the IADA’s New Athletic Directors Workshop co-hosted by the IHSA in July.