August 8, 2005
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors announced Silver Cross Field in Joliet as the Class A state final baseball site and EastSide Centre in East Peoria as the Class A and AA state final softball site at its board meeting today. The agreement with each facility begins with the 2005-06 school year and runs through the 2009-10 school year.
O'Brien Field in Peoria, Lanphier Park in Springfield, the University of Illinois, and GMC Stadium in Sauget bid on the Class A baseball tournament, while Graham Stadium in Mattoon, Champion Field in Normal, and the University of Illinois bid on the softball tournaments.
"We are very pleased with today's announcements," said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. "These were both very difficult decisions. All the communities and facilities that bid on these tournaments made the selection process a challenging one. Each community should be proud of its presentation. While we would not have gone wrong with any decision our board could have made, we're confident that our membership will be impressed with the reception and treatment they will receive in Joliet and East Peoria."
1. The Board denied a request from Chicago (St. Rita) High School and New Lenox (Providence Catholic) High School to waive the travel portion of the Sanction Policy so that the schools could participate in a boys' basketball tournament in December of 2006 in San Diego, Cal.
2. At its June meeting, the Board heard some concern from non-public schools about the possible ramifications for those schools to market themselves with prospective students with the revised by-law. The new by-law would prohibit coaches at member schools from presenting or distributing information to prospective students at any place other than an Open House conducted at the member school. Many non-public schools use coaches in this kind of capacity, and the concern of non-public schools is that the late change in the by-law would hamper their marketing efforts during the current school term. In determining that there would be no penalty for non-compliance, the Board will allow schools to utilize any school personnel as a recruiter at Open Houses held at middle schools or junior high schools during the fall to present information and materials about their school. It is expected that some kind of proposal will be made as a part of this fall's legislative session that will further address this situation.
No appeals regarding eligibility rulings were considered by the board.
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 August 8, 2005, agenda:
Suspended Schools: The Board heard a report from the Executive Director that the following schools are suspended for the 2005-06 school year for their non-compliance with Article 1.250 of the IHSA Constitution: Chicago (Academy of Scholastic Achievement), Chicago (St. Gregory), and Skokie (Yeshiva). The schools have not provided the association with the required financial aid information per the Constitution.
Classification Appeals: The Board heard a report from the Executive Director concerning the classification appeals process. Schools that are affected by the enrollment multiplier had until August 1, 2005, to appeal its adjusted enrollment, which will be used for classification in all sports and activities except football. Twenty schools filed appeals by the deadline. It is anticipated that rulings on the appeals will be issued by August 15.
Official's Conference: The Board heard a report on this summer's Official's Conference. This year was the 6th year the association has brought together officials from around the state for training and recognition, and this year over 600 officials took part in the festivities.
Steroid Initiative: The Board heard a report concerning the association's new steroid initiative. The Board reviewed the materials member schools will be receiving in their All-School Mailing later this week and heard about the anticipated work of the IHSA Sports Medicine advisory Committee in working on the development of a drug testing program that could be used during state final competitions.
Royalty Policy: The Board heard a report concerning changes to be brought forward this year to the IHSA Royalty Policy. The most significant part of the changes to be brought forward is the requirement that vendors will be required to pay a fee for the right to be a licensed vendor with the association. The policy will be considered for action at the September meeting.
IADA/Town Meetings: The Board heard a report regarding upcoming meetings with athletic directors and principals. In addition to reviewing proposals from member schools, the meetings will focus on potential revisions to the Association's travel policy and the expansion of classes in selected IHSA activities.