IHSA Announcement

January 11, 2006

Board Approves Class Expansion in 2007-08, Penalizes Hales Franciscan

The Illinois High School Association’s Board of Directors at its regularly scheduled Jan. 11 meeting, voted to adopt a three- and four-class system for eight sports effective with the start of the 2007-08 school year.  In 2007-08, boys golf, boys track and field, and girls track and field will expand from two to three classes, while girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys baseball, and girls softball will expand from two to four classes.

“Class expansion has been one of those issues over the past decade that has repeatedly been brought to the forefront by member schools.  However, until the membership was polled in the recent Advisory Referendum, there hadn’t been the kind of support to warrant such an expansion as was approved by our Board today.  We look forward to responding to the wishes of our membership with the advent of additional classes in 2007-08,” said IHSA Executive Director Dr. Marty Hickman.

While final details concerning the implementation of 3- and 4-class systems still need to be completed, the basic tournament structure was presented to member schools during this fall’s IHSA Principals Rules Meetings.  An overview of that structure can be found by clicking here.

The Board also announced that Chicago (Hales Franciscan) High School will be required to forfeit all contests it played from June 10, 2003, through December 1, 2005, and all state series championships won during that time, including the 2005 Class A Boys Basketball title.  Additionally, the school will be subject to a compliance review by the IHSA Administrative Staff.  Upon completion of the review, a determination will be made as to whether additional sanctions against the school are necessary.  Chicago (Hales Franciscan) High School had been suspended by the IHSA on November 23, 2005, after it was discovered that the school had not been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education since the 2002-03 school term.  Recognition by the ISBE is a requirement of IHSA membership. At its December meeting, the Board directed the Hales Franciscan administration to appear at today’s meeting to discuss this matter.  Representatives from the school were present to discuss their situation with the Board as scheduled.

Other Action

  1. The Board approved modifying the Travel Policy to allow schools to travel to any location to participate in an interscholastic competition provided that no more than one day of school in traveling to and from and participating in the contest will be missed by any member school’s program.  The new policy will take effect immediately.  However, member schools that have made plans under the old policy may still follow through with those plans for the rest of the current school term.

  2. The Board approved the following locations as state final sites through the dates listed after each:
    1. Girls Badminton: Eastern Illinois University (2005-06)
    2. Boys Football: University of Illinois (2006-07 through 2010-11)
    3. Boys Soccer: North Central College (2006-07 through 2010-11)
  3. The Board approved a recommendation from the Executive Director to enter into a corporate sponsorship with defibrillator supplier Medtronic.

Hearings

  1. The Board modified the suspension of IHSA official Richard Mercardo for failing to show for an assigned post-season volleyball contest earlier this school term.  Mercardo had been suspended by IHSA Assistant Executive Director Dave Gannaway for his breach of contract on October 29, 2005, at Downers Grove (North) High School.

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 January 11, agenda:

Suspension of Schools:  The Board heard a report from the Executive Director that identified two schools that are suspended for the remainder of the 2005-06 school term for failing to attend an IHSA Principals Rules Meeting for the past two years.  The two schools are Chicago (Our Lady of Tepeyac) and Skokie (Yeshiva)

Meetings:  The Board heard a report from the Executive Director concerning attendance at  various NFHS-related meetings in the past month by IHSA staff members.

Recognition:  The Board heard a report from the Executive Director that volleyball official Nancy Nester has been selected as the NFHS Officials Association’s National Distinguished Active Contributor for 2005.

Liaisons:  The Board welcomed three new liaisons today.  Former IHSA Board Member Cathy Finch is representing the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, Peter Geddeis is representing the Illinois Director of Student Activities, and Paul Swanstrom is representing the Illinois Association of School Administrators.