IHSA Announcements

December 6, 2004

Girls' Volleyball and Boys' Golf State Finals to Remain in Bloomington-Normal

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors announced today that the girls' volleyball state finals and boys' golf finals will remain in Bloomington-Normal.  The girls' volleyball state finals, which have been played on the campus of Illinois State University since 1990, will be played at Redbird Arena through the 2009-10 school year.  Meanwhile, the boys' golf tournament will continue to be played at Prairie Vista (Class A) and the Den at Fox Creek (Class AA) through the 2010-11 school year.

“We are pleased to make this announcement concerning our girls' volleyball and boys' golf state final tournaments.  The Bloomington-Normal area, Illinois State University, and the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau continue to be great partners for us to work with,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman.  “Our membership, and the communities they represent, enjoy the facilities and amenities Bloomington-Normal has to offer, and we look forward to creating many more positive memories in the Twin Cities.”

The Board continues to accept applications for hosting boys' and girls' basketball, girls' softball, boys' Class A baseball, and individual wrestling.  Announcements concerning the assignment of those state finals venues will be made later on during the 2004-05 school year.  The IHSA web site contains more information regarding the selection process and timelines.

Other Action

  1. The board rescinded its action from their October meeting concerning not carrying over preliminary throws and marks to final day of competition at the boys' and girls' state track finals in the Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, and Discus.  In October, the board approved a recommendation from the Track and Field Advisory Committee to have the finalists in those events compete in a “true finals” format that would not have any results from the first day of competition carry over to the finals.  Since the October meeting, IHSA Assistant Executive Director Ron McGraw has had some dialogue with the NFHS concerning Illinois' adoption of this recommendation.  Although the initial reaction from the NFHS was that this would be acceptable, further review of the NFHS track and field rules indicated that this approach would be in conflict with NFHS track and field rules, thereby necessitating the rescinding of the board's original action.
  1. The board approved a list of meeting dates for the 2005-06 school term.  The list includes nine (9) meetings, including one on April 25, one day after the IHSA/Caterpillar All-State Banquet.
  1. The board found Cissna Park High School in violation of IHSA By-Law 6.040 (Breach of Contract).  Cissna Park High School, who co-ops with Crescent-Iroquois in boys' basketball, had agreed to participate in the Williamsville Holiday Tournament.  CPCI had informed Williamsville that it would not participate, however, in this year's event, instead opting to participate in the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington-Normal.  No mutual agreement to vacate the contract had been reached between the involved parties.  The board found Cissna Park in breach of contract with Williamsville High School and assessed the penalty of $100, per IHSA By-Law 6.040, placed Cissna Park and Crescent-Iroquois High Schools on probation for the remainder of the 2004-05 school term, and required CPCI to pay Williamsville High School to cover the financial loss which will be sustained by Williamsville High School as a result of the breach.
  1. The board found Chicago (John Hope) High School in violation of IHSA By-Law 6.040 (Breach of Contract).  Chicago Hope High School had agreed to participate in the Naperville (Neuqua Valley) Thanksgiving Tournament.  Chicago Hope participated instead at a tournament in Oswego.  No mutual agreement to vacate the contract had been reached between the involved parties.  The board found Chicago Hope High School in breach of contract with Neuqua Valley High School and assessed the penalty of $100, per IHSA By-Law 6.040, placed by Chicago Hope High School on probation for the remainder of the 2004-05 school term, and required Chicago Hope to pay Neuqua Valley High School to cover the financial loss which will be sustained by Neuqua Valley High School as a result of the breach.

Eligibility Rulings

  1. The board modified the Executive Director's ruling that Springfield High School boys' basketball coach is ineligible to coach at Springfield High School for the 2004-05 season for non-compliance with IHSA By-Laws 3.071, 3.072, and 3.073.   The Board concurred with the Executive Director's finding that Coach McGuire had violated IHSA recruiting rules.  However, based on information received today, the Board modified the penalty, reinstating Coach McGuire as of December 17, 2004.  Additionally, Springfield High School was placed on probation for one calendar year and is required to submit a plan to the IHSA Office no later than December 17, 2004, detailing what measures it will implement to prevent future violations of IHSA By-Laws from occurring.
  1. The board sustained the Executive Director's ruling that a student is ineligible at Pittsfield High School for the first semester of the 2004-05 school term for non-compliance with IHSA By-Laws 3.047 and 3.022.  The student is a senior transfer student from Clifton (Central) High School, where he participated in golf and basketball during the 2003-04 school term.  The student was academically ineligible at Central High School for not completing the required courses prior to the beginning of the 2004-05 school term.
  1. The board sustained the Executive Director's ruling that a student is ineligible at Chicago (Waldorf) High School for the first semester of the 2004-05 school term for non-compliance with IHSA By-Law 3.047.  The student is a junior transfer from Evanston Twp. High School, where he did not participate in interscholastic athletics.  The student was academically ineligible at Evanston since he did not meet the required grade point average.

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 December 6, 2004, agenda:

Wheelchair Basketball:  The Board heard a report from IHSA Assistant Executive Director Dave Gannaway concerning plans for this year's wheelchair basketball event in Peoria.  This year's event will be held on the weekend of March 11-12 2005, during the boys' basketball Class A State Finals.

Elimination of  Entry Fees:  The Board heard a preliminary draft of a plan from the Executive Director concerning the elimination of entry fees for member schools effective with the start of the 2005-06 school year.  A final draft of the plan will be acted upon later in the current school term.

Town/Principals' Rules /A.D. Division Meetings:  The Board heard a report on the attendance and key items of discussion from this fall's meetings across the state.  28 meetings were held in November across the state, each meeting reviewing the amendment proposals for consideration by the Legislative Commission and providing attendees with an up-date of the IHSA Public-Private Task Force.

2004-05 Amendment Proposals:  The Board heard a report on the action taken by the Legislative Commission concerning this year's amendment proposals.  Member schools have until December 15, 2005, to vote on the proposals.  As of today, nearly 400 member schools had done so.

Recognitions:  The Board learned that former District 211 athletic administrator Don Crandall and current Homewood-Flossmoor Athletic Director Ken Shultz will be recognized for their service and accomplishments at the 35th National Conference of High School Directors of Athletics in New Orleans later this month.  Also, the Board learned that Rex Benson, Mendota High School music educator, has been selected to receive the NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Award for Section 4.