August 6, 2007
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors approved changes in the structure of the girls volleyball tournament at its regular meeting Monday (August 6). Beginning with the upcoming tournament, semifinals and finals in both the regional and sectional tournaments will be played on a single day at the host site. Regional preliminary (quarterfinal) matches will be hosted by the higher seed. The IHSA reserves the right to determine an alternate host site for the preliminary match if the travel time is unreasonable.
The schedule is as follows: In Class 1A and 2A, regional preliminaries will be played on Tuesday, October 23 with semifinals and finals on Thursday, October 25. In Class 3A and 4A, regional preliminaries will be played on Wednesday, October 24 with semifinals and finals on Saturday, October 27. Sectional semifinals and finals in all four classes will be held on Thursday, November 1.
In most cases, the semifinals will be scheduled for 5 pm and 6 pm with the finals scheduled for 7:15 pm. A mimimum 15-minute rest period will follow the conclusion of the second semifinal. For the Saturday matches in Class 3A and 4A, host schools will have the option of arranging different start times.
The Board also authorized a change in the ticket prices for the volleyball state series to offset the reduced number of dates. A ticket to the semifinal/final session of the regional tournament will cost $5 (previously the price was $4 per session). The sectional semifinal/final session will cost $6 (previously $5 per session). The super-sectional match will also cost $6 (up from $5). The guaranteed allowance for host schools was also increased.
Finally, the Board authorized the IHSA staff to require that seeding meetings be conducted online in regionals or sectionals where excessive travel is a concern.
Two New High School Promotions
High School Game Night: Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 will present High School Game Night, a weekly radio program dedicated to high school sports. The show will air Friday evenings from the site of one of the week's top games. The program will also be available on the Web at espn1000preps.com. The first show is set for August 24 at Frankfort, Ill., where Lincoln-Way East will entertain Providence Catholic. Veteran reporter Jonathan Hood will host the show.
"This partnership is a wonderful opportunity to help showcase the talents of students in our member schools," said Dr. Marty Hickman, IHSA executive director. "Fans who tune in to ESPN 1000 will hear not only about exciting high school events, but also about how interscholastic programs sponsored by the IHSA help enrich the high school experience."
FoxHiLites "Video of the Year" Contest: In partnership with the IHSA and Chevy, FoxHiLites.com will award a total of $12,000 in scholarships this school term to three "Videos of the Year" submitted by qualified students or teams of students. These scholarships will be awarded through the Illinois High School Activities Foundation, whose purpose is to promote, encourage, and recognize academic and interscholastic achievements by the young people who participate in IHSA interscholastic programs.
The IHSA and FoxHiLites.com will also sponsor a $5,000 "Prep Star of the Year" scholarship. This scholarshp will be awarded to a premier Illinois student-athlete. The award will be based on athletic ability, academics and public service and will be chosen by the Fox Chicago sports department.
Rules and requirements for the "Video of the Year" contest are available at FoxHiLites.com.
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, 2007, agenda:
Upcoming Meetings: The Board heard a report on upcoming division meetings of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and discussed topics for IHSA Town Meetings/Principals Rules Meetings to be held in November.
Financial Aid Suspensions: The Board heard that Chicago (Waldorf) and Plainfield (Christ Lutheran) high schools had been suspended from membership for failing to provide the required Financial Aid information by the deadline date of May 1, 2007.
New IHSA Representatives in National Leadership: The Board heard a report than two members of the Association’s administrative staff had recently been chosen to fill new roles in national positions relative to interscholastic programs:
IHSA Officials Conference: The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Dave Gannaway on the recent IHSA Officials Conference at the Pere Marquette Hotel in Peoria.
Technology Update: The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Scott Johnson on upgrades and improvements to the IHSA's network infrastructure and the online Schools and Officals Centers.
NASO Update: The Board heard a report from Executive Director Marty Hickman and Assistant Executive Director Dave Gannaway on the recent NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) conference in Denver. The IHSA is working with several other states in the Officials Education Consortium to develop online training for officials