The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce its 2015-16 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. All of this year’s winners will be recognized at a banquet during the 2016 IHSA Officials Conference, which will be held on Saturday, July 23 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria.
“I have routinely said that one of the great highlights of my 25 years at the IHSA has been having the opportunity to work closely with officials,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “The IHSA Officials of the Year are some of the best officials we have to offer, yet, no matter how well they do their jobs, they will still be questioned by coaches, fans and players. It takes a special kind of dedication and personal integrity to excel in this vocation. Thank you to these individuals, as well as to all IHSA officials, for all that you do."
Sport
|
Official of the Year
|
Hometown
|
Boys Soccer
|
Larry Cooper
|
Collinsville
|
Girls Soccer
|
Michele Waldbeesser
|
West Peoria
|
| Football |
Jim Glueckert
|
Arlington Heights
|
Boys Basketball
|
Tom Huster
|
Elmhurst
|
Girls Basketball
|
Gail Huster
|
Elmhurst
|
| Baseball |
Steve Besse
|
Frankfort
|
| Softball |
Tom Starr
|
Rock Falls
|
Girls Volleyball
|
Augie Werner
|
Belleville
|
Boys Volleyball
|
Connie Scott
|
Winnebago
|
Boys Swimming & Diving
|
Ken Cherwin
|
Crystal Lake
|
Girls Swimming & Diving
|
Kathleen McWhorter
|
East Dundee
|
Water Polo
|
Nick Cargola
|
Elk Grove Village
|
Cross Country
|
Jim Rhode
|
Dwight
|
Boys Track & Field
|
Roger Brown
|
Chicago |
Girls Track & Field
|
Tim Cross
|
Metamora |
| Wrestling |
Don Mekeel
|
Sterling
|
Boys Gymnastics
|
Joseph Skowronski
|
St. John (IN)
|
Girls Gymnastics
|
Howie Sokol
|
Park Ridge
|
Competitive Cheer
|
Betty Moore
|
Taylorville
|
Competitive Dance
|
Cyndi Kraemer
|
Decatur |
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