The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce its 2016-17 Officials of the Year in 20 IHSA sports. To be considered for this honor, an official must first be nominated by an Officials Association recognized by the IHSA. IHSA staff members then vote on the winners based on factors such as character, skill as an official, and levels worked in the IHSA State Series. This year’s winners will be recognized at a banquet during the 2017 IHSA Officials Conference, which will be held on Saturday, July 22 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria.

“The IHSA Officials of the Year banquet is truly one of the highlights of the year for the Association,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “These individuals give back so much to high school athletics, so having the opportunity to see them recognized in front of their peers is very special. This year’s ceremony will take on an ever more special meaning as we posthumously recognize Dance Official of the Year Paula Hess.”

A native of Glenview, Hess

(right) passed on August 2, 2016, after a lengthy battle with cancer. A long-time fixture in the Illinois dance community, she served on the committee that helped formulate the IHSA’s Dance State Series and served as the Tournament Manager at the inaugural state final competition in 2013.

“Paula was an incredibly knowledge and respected dance official,” said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Tracie Henry. “But what made her so special was her ability to connect with people. Everyone loved her. She had a way of bringing people together and bringing calm to any situation. She was integral to Dance becoming an IHSA sport and we miss her every day.”

Sport	Official of the Year	Hometown
Boys Soccer	John Martelin	Rockford
Girls Soccer	Richard Geati	Arlington Heights
Football	Kevin McMurray	Willow Springs
Boys Basketball	William DePue	Palatine
Girls Basketball	Robert Brendel	Fairview Heights
Baseball	Keith Medema	Sterling
Softball	Rick Howarth	Pecatonica
Girls Volleyball	Ruth Holliday	Vandalia
Boys Volleyball	Stan Wiedeman	Morton Grove
Boys Swimming & Diving	John Mulsoff	Huntley
Girls Swimming & Diving	Bob Graf	Pekin
Water Polo	Patrick Bauer	Chicago
Cross Country	John Betteridge	Elmhurst
Boys Track & Field	Keith Jacobi	Batavia
Girls Track & Field	Don Hackler	Ridge Farm
Wrestling	Roy Snyder	Rochelle
Boys Gymnastics	Scott Hagel	Wauconda
Girls Gymnastics	Carol Myers	Lake Forest
Competitive Cheer	Tiffany Michaels	Bloomington
Competitive Dance	Paula Hess	Glenview