December 3, 2001
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors received reports and discussed a number of ongoing projects and acted on four eligibility appeals at its regular December meeting Monday in the IHSA Office.
The Board heard reports and discussed the following:
Annual Audit: Accepted the 2000-01 fiscal year audit report from Clifton, Gunderson.
National Leadership Conference: IHSA will send an equal number of representatives from each Board of Directors division to the 2002 National Federation (NFHS) Leadership Conference in Indianapolis next summer. It will be the second such student leadership conference sponsored by the NFHS and it will be conducted July 11-14 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Theme for the 2002 event is "Making a Difference". Last summer IHSA sponsored 20 attendees. Applications will be sent to the membership shortly after the first of the year.
Wrestling Weight Control Ad Hoc Committee: The Board reviewed the minutes of the group’s Oct. 16 meeting, which included lengthy discussion of potential plan elements with Dr. Robert Opplinger of the University of Iowa. The committee’s discussion outline now includes these components: a) education of wrestlers and their parents regarding nutrition and hydration; b) body fat relating to minimum weight; c) appeal process for minimum weight; d) method for halting weight fluctuation throughout the season. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5.
Principal’s Rules Meetings: A total of 239 of IHSA’s 760 member schools were represented at the 2001-02 Principals Rules Meetings conducted as part of the annual Illinois Principals Association (IPA) Fall Conference in Peoria and at seven regional meetings statewide. Included in the agenda for the meetings this year were discussions regarding: interscholastic events during a national emergency (and resultant security procedures), future state series structure, conduct requirements, IHSA’s second round of Strategic Planning, electronic communication within the Association, a review of foreign exchange and international student participation, IHSA Television Network plans for the school term, and sport specific reports regarding eight-class football, boys gymnastics, water polo, debate and boys bowling.
Legislative Commission: A total of 365 of IHSA’s 760 member schools were represented at this year’s series of Town Meetings at 19 sites throughout the state. Total attendance at the meetings was 508. Eleven of 17 proposals submitted to the Legislative Commission appear on this year’s ballot. Member schools were mailed the ballot on Nov. 26 and have until Dec. 17 to return it to the IHSA Office. The ballots will be counted and the results announced Dec. 18.
Emerging Sports Policy: The Board received a report of plans for a proposed policy statement to govern member school participation in sports for which the IHSA does not sponsor a state series.
NFHS Swimming Rule Change: The Board heard a report of the immediate change in National Federation Swimming and Diving Rules. The change terminates the option in the rules to use 18-inch starting platforms in pools with water depth 3 ½ to 4 feet. The NFHS has announced that, as a safety precaution, it is considering further changes in the rules for next year that could require virtually all schools to change their use of starting platforms.
Action Items
Journalism Education: The Board approved a request by the Illinois Journalism Education Association (IJEA) for a representative from it to serve on the IHSA News Media Advisory Committee. In addition, the Board approved adding the names of the advisors for the school newspaper and school yearbook advisors to the listing in the Activity Section in the IHSA on-line school directory.
Eligibility Rulings