The IHSA Board of Directors met for their regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Monday, September 12, where the Board announced that the
Student Section Showdown will return for its third installment during the 2016-17 school year.
The inaugural contest took place in 2014-15, with
Central A&M High School and
Prospect High School being named the champions in Class 1A/2A and Class 3A/4A, respectively. Last year saw
Breese Central win Class 1A/2A, while
Ottawa Township claimed the Class 3A/4A crown
(click the school names to see their winning videos).
The IHSA Student Section Showdown was an idea born from the IHSA Student Advisory Committee (SAC) that pits student sections from the around the state against one another to see who has the best spirit and sportsmanship. Schools have until February 7, 2017 to submit a video (up to three minutes) that shows their student section in action during a game, as well as the impact the student section has on sportsmanship and school spirit.
“We are excited to see more great sportsmanship and school spirit in year three of the Student Section Showdown,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We have received incredible entries the past two years, but hope to get even more this year. We see amazing student sections at our events all the time, so we really hope they take the initiative, make a video, and enter the Showdown!”
The submissions will be judged by the SAC and representatives from the finalists will be invited to the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals, where the winners will be revealed.
For complete entry and contest details,
click here
ACTION ITEMS
1. The Board approved an annual waiver of IHSA By-laws 3.021 and 3.022 for Berwyn-Cicero (Morton). IHSA rules allow schools who only offer 20 credit hours (four classes) per semester, and on a weekly basis, the ability to apply for a waiver.
APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
1. The Board did not act on an appeal of the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Waukegan (H.S.). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.070 and the Board has asked that more information be submitted.
2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Champaign (Central). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.
3. The Board did not act on an appeal of the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Bloomington (Cornerstone Christian Academy). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030 and the Board has asked that more information be submitted.
4. The Board did not act on an appeal of the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Bloomington (Cornerstone Christian Academy). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030 and the Board has asked that more information be submitted.
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 September 12, 2016, agenda:
1. The Board recognized Urbana (University) Principal Jeanette Nuckolls and presented her with a plaque following her final Board meeting. Nuckolls reached her term-limitation after serving nine years on the Board
2. The Board welcomed Bloomington (H.S.) Principal Tim Moore and Chicago (Dunbar) Principal Gerald Morrow, who both attended their first meeting after being
appointed to the Board in September.
3. The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha on the
Team Up Speak Up To Fight Concussions campaign conducted by The Concussion Legacy Foundation on September 13, 2016 that the IHSA is supporting and encouraging all football coaches in the state to be a part of.
4. The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha on the upcoming national NFHS campaign #MyReasonWhy, which will help create awareness and support for the benefits of high school participation.
5. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on IHSA representation at the upcoming Illinois Principals Association (IPA) Conference in Springfield, as well as the New Administrators Workshop the IHSA will host on October 5.
6. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on new communication options for IHSA Board of Directors nominees to share their candidacy.
7. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on his attendance at the recent meeting of the Illinois Council of Private Schools.
8. The IHSA staff has published its first 2:00 Minute Drill, a series of video updates from IHSA staff members that provide information on topical items in 120 seconds or less.
9. The Board heard a report on schools who have filed waivers to play up a State Series classification. All waivers require a two-year commitment. The schools, sports, new class, and applicable years on each waiver are listed below:
| School |
Sport |
New Class
|
Years |
| Chicago (De LaSalle) |
Boys Basketball |
4A |
2015-16 & 2016-17 |
Chicago (Marshall)
|
Boys Basketball
|
3A
|
2015-16 & 2016-17
|
| Chicago (Marshall) |
Girls Basketball
|
3A |
2015-16 & 2016-17 |
| Chicago (St. Rita) |
Wrestling |
3A |
2015-16 & 2016-17 |
| East St. Louis (H.S.) |
Football |
7A |
2015-16 & 2016-17 |