The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met at its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, where the Board approved the hiring of Robert Gibson as the IHSA’s Director of Information Technology.
Gibson is slated to begin his time at the IHSA later this spring. He will work in tandem with current IHSA Assistant Executive Director and Director of Information Technology Scott Johnson until Johnson’s retirement.
“I am excited to join the IHSA family,” said Gibson. “The responsibilities that lie ahead of me seem to fit perfectly into my skill set, and I expect the role will be as rewarding as it is challenging.”
Gibson comes to the IHSA from Heartland Community College in Normal, where he has worked since 2010. He began with Heartland in a Web Programming role, before transitioning to become the school’s Website Manager in 2012. He has led many large-scale projects at Heartland, including a major website redesign and several College-wide initiatives.
“We are proud to be able to welcome Bob Gibson to the IHSA staff,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “His technical qualifications were evident throughout the process, while his creativity and enthusiasm helped to set him apart during interviews. His time working with Scott Johnson will be invaluable to better understanding the needs of the Association and allowing him to develop his vision for the future.”
Gibson was home-schooled through high school, and went on to earn his Associate Degree in Applied Science in Management Information Systems from Illinois Valley Community College. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Science in Information Technology while attending Heartland Community College and online at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, before completing his Master’s Degree in Information Science at Illinois State University.
“The IT field is constantly changing, and therefore, someone working in IT must keep changing too", said Gibson. “I plan to help the IHSA continue to provide excellent opportunities for our students while working to improve efficiency.”
Gibson, who also completed his Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, previously worked in diverse Information Technology roles for Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby, Illinois State University, and the American Rabbit Breeders Association in Bloomington where he has been involved in automating nation-wide systems.
He resides in Bloomington with his wife, Melissa, and their four children. Gibson’s start date and Johnson’s retirement date will be announced in the near future.
ACTION
1. The Board approved the annual audit performed by Striegel Knobloch & Company LLC. To view the audit, click
here.
APPEALS & HEARINGS
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Decatur (D. Lutheran). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.
2. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Woodstock (H.S.). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030, but will have continued eligibility at the school.
3. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Woodstock (H.S.). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030, but will have continued eligibility at the school.
4. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Woodstock (H.S.). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030, but will have continued eligibility at the school.
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 January 9, 2019, agenda:
1. The Board heard a report on the Athletes With Disabilities Training they are scheduled to take part in.
2. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the NFHS Winter Meeting held in New York City from January 3-6.