IHSA Executive Director
canderson@ihsa.org
Craig Anderson became the 32nd individual to serve the IHSA as an Assistant Executive Director when he was named to the position by the IHSA Board of Directors on February 11, 2010. On June 9, 2015, Anderson was named to replace Marty Hickman as executive director of the IHSA, upon Hickman's retirement in January, 2016. This makes Anderson the seventh individual to serve as the organization's Executive Director.
A 1987 graduate of Cambridge High School, Anderson participated in football, basketball, track & field, chorus, band and was the lead in a school musical during his high school career. He moved on to Monmouth College, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education/Mathematics in 1991, after high school and enjoyed a standout career for the Fighting Scots on the football field and basketball court. Anderson went on to earn a Master's of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from Illinois State University in 1997.
Prior to starting at the IHSA, Anderson held the position of Athletic Director at Washington High School and also served as the Tournament Director for the nationally renowned State Farm Basketball Tournament of Champions. He began his teaching and coaching career at Morton High School, before moving on to Olympia High School, where he was the head football coach for two seasons. Anderson then moved into the role of Activities Director at Olympia, a position he held from 2002-05 before leaving for Washington in 2006.
Anderson has held a number of leadership positions during his career, including associations with the Illinois Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He also served on IHSA's Athletic Administrator Committee and Legislative Commission prior to his hiring.
Anderson and his wife Allie reside in Morton with their three sons Cooper, Tucker and Maguire.