The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce its 2018-19 Officials of the Year in 22 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 2019 IHSA Officials Conference, which will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria.
"Congratulations to all the individuals recognized as IHSA Officials of the Year, and a sincere thank you for giving back to the sports you love," said IHSA Assistant Executive Director and Officials Department administrator Sam Knox. "We are grateful for the efforts of all IHSA officials who commit their time and talents to our schools and our students. We are especially proud to honor these 22 officials who continually go above and beyond in their efforts to improve personally as officials, mentor their peers, and advocate for the officiating community at large."
IHSA OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR
Sport
|
Official of the Year
|
Hometown
|
Boys Soccer
|
Joseph Heyden |
Collinsville |
Girls Soccer
|
Gene Matlock |
St. Louis, MO |
Football |
Robert Smith |
Centralia |
Boys Basketball
|
Marc Parker |
Collinsville |
Girls Basketball
|
Ronald Ritter |
Westchester |
Boys Lacrosse |
David Krok |
Grayslake |
Girls Lacrosse |
Margaret Carlson |
Geneva |
Baseball |
William Mushrush |
St. Charles |
Softball |
Jay Miller |
Centralia |
Girls Volleyball
|
Crete LeFevre |
Mt. Morris |
Boys Volleyball
|
Krystian Krzyzak |
Arlington Heights |
Boys Swimming & Diving
|
Thomas Strunk |
Evanston |
Girls Swimming & Diving
|
Wendy Wozniak |
Darien |
Water Polo
|
Matthias Casey |
Chicago |
Cross Country
|
Richard Miller |
Naperville |
Boys Track & Field
|
William Drennan |
Schaumburg |
Girls Track & Field
|
Jay Marshall |
Richmond |
Wrestling |
Nathaniel Kessen |
Sugar Grove |
Boys Gymnastics
|
Lora Boehne Kalka |
Pingree Grove |
Girls Gymnastics
|
Robin Straus |
Deerfield |
Competitive Cheer
|
Cindy Rueter |
Columbia |
Competitive Dance
|
Courtney Vanderheiden |
Louisville, KY |
|
|
|
|
|