IHSA Announcements

September 13, 2004

Activities Week Set for October 17-23; IHSA Board of Directors Approves Basketball Safety Recommendation

The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors set October 17-23, 2004, as Activities Week in member high schools and approved a recommendation from the its Basketball Advisory Committee to create a "safe zone" along the baselines for boys' and girls' interscholastic contests at its regular meeting in the IHSA Office Monday. (Sept. 13). 

“It is the mission of the Illinois High School Association to provide leadership for member schools in order that they may enrich the educational experience for their students.  As a result, Activities Week provides schools and the association the opportunity to recognize young people, their coaches and sponsors, and their communities for all their efforts in helping students become better citizens,” said IHSA Executive Director Dr. Martin Hickman.

Member schools received information from the IHSA Office earlier this month detailing the "spotlighted" group, program, or topic for each day of the week.

The basketball safety recommendation, which applies to post-season play and will be in effect for the 2004-05 basketball state tournament series, will require schools to create a three foot (3') safe zone along both baselines that will be devoid of any persons or obstructions.

“Concern for the safety of players and officials alike continues to be an area of primary importance to our association.  This recommendation, which keeps with NFHS rules, reinforces the need for member schools to maintain the integrity of the playing surface in basketball,” said IHSA Executive Director Dr. Martin Hickman. 

Member schools will receive formal notice of the recommendation with a court diagram detailing the safety zone prior to the start of the basketball season.

Other Action

1. The board approved a Terms and Conditions recommendation in Cross Country aimed at clarifying the use of video review during the state finals.  Video review will be used only as necessary in scoring the state finals.

2. The board approved a sponsorship agreement with First To The Finish of Carlinville, Illinois, for Cross Country and Track and Field.  The agreement is for a three year period, beginning with the 2004-05 school year.

3. The board approved a one year agreement with Visual Image Photography, Inc., of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, to serve as the official state finals photographer for the IHSA.

4. The board approved a resolution authorizing the opening of an account at Commerce Bank in Bloomington, Illinois.

5. The board approved a resolution authorizing the opening of an account at A.G. Edwards in Bloomington, Illinois.

6. The board approved the financial arrangements for officials and hosting allowances for the 2004-05 school year.

Eligibility Rulings

1. The board sustained the Executive Director's ruling that a student is ineligible at River Grove (Guerin) until June 12, 2005, for non-compliance with by-law 3.043 and its sub-sections.  The student had attended Oak Park-River Forest High School at the start of the 2003-04 school year before transferring to St. John's Military Academy, where he played baseball during the later part of the 2003-04 school year.  There has been no move by his family during this period.

2. The board sustained the Executive Director's ruling that a student is ineligible at Champaign (St. Thomas More) until March 20, 2005, for non-compliance with by-law 3.043 and its sub-sections.  The student transferred from Tolono (Unity), where she participated in basketball during the 2003-04 school term.  There has been no move by her family to a new public school district in conjunction with her transfer.

3. The board modified the Executive Director's ruling that a student is ineligible at Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South) for the 2004-05 school term.  The student is a student from Nigeria attending Glenbard South while living with a family in the district.  The student is not part of a foreign exchange program nor is he related to the family with whom he is living.  The board modified the Executive Director's ruling, granting the student eligibility upon receipt of documentation from Glenbard South indicating that Akogwu's legal adoption by his host family is under way.

Discussion Items

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain agenda items that the Board discusses, but upon which it takes no action.  Following is a report of those on the September 13, 2004, agenda:

New Principals' Workshop:  The Board heard a report regarding last week's New Principals' Workshop held at the IHSA Office.  39 new principals attended the meeting, which focused on a number of topics aimed at easing the transition into the principalship.

IHSA/CPS Meeting:  The board heard a report regarding an upcoming meeting between the IHSA Administrative Staff and members of the Chicago Public Schools Sports Administration Office.  The meeting is scheduled to take place at the IHSA Office on October 5.

Foreign Exchange Programs:  The Board heard a report on the status of approval for foreign exchange programs in Illinois for the current school year.  The Board approved a recommendation at their April 2004 meeting to require foreign exchange programs apply for program approval with the IHSA, effective with the start of the 2004-05 school year.  As of September 13, 2004, some 18 programs had been approved by the IHSA Office.

Board of Directors Hearing Report:  The Board reviewed a report which outlined the results of hearings conducted by the Board from 1991-92 through the 2003-04 school term.

No Child Left Behind:  The Board heard a report regarding eligibility questions that have arisen from member schools in light of the No Child Left Behind legislation.

2004-05 By-Law Proposals:  The Board reviewed proposals already received by the IHSA Office for the 2004-05 Legislative Session and discussed potential proposals that they might submit for consideration this year.

NFHS Participation Survey:  The Board heard a report regarding the participation levels for boys and girls in interscholastic athletics for the 2003-04.  The report is produced annually by the NFHS and allows state associations to monitor participation trends.  A complete copy of the NFHS Participation Survey is available at nfhs.org.