IHSA Announcements

September 14, 2009

IHSA & ISU Extend Girls Volleyball State Final Contract; New Board Member Appointed

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors approved a recommendation to extend the Girls Volleyball State Final hosting contract at Illinois State University’s (ISU) Redbird Arena through the 2014-15 school year at their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 14. The current contract was set to expire following this year’s state final.

“The Girls Volleyball State Finals have found a home at Illinois State University and that made securing this contract renewal a major priority,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “The electric atmosphere inside Redbird Arena for this event is a big part of the State Final experience for the girl’s volleyball student-athletes, coaches and fans each November.”

The contract proposal members included Illinois State University, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission.

“We enjoy a tremendous partnership with Illinois State University and the Bloomington-Normal area,” added Hickman. “Illinois State University, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission all have quality individuals and resources that make IHSA state finals events in this area first-class.”

Redbird Arena will host the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals for the 20th time in 2009. ISU hosted the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals at Horton Fieldhouse from 1976-1980, before the event returned indefinitely to ISU in 1990.

“We are excited to extend our agreement to host the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals,” said ISU Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger. “Illinois State University is committed to this mutually beneficial partnership and we appreciate the opportunity to host it well into the future.”

Redbird Arena has also served as the host for the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals since 1992.

OTHER ACTION ITEMS                                                                             

  1. The Board approved a recommendation to appoint Chicago (St. Patrick) Principal Dr. Joe Schmidt to the IHSA Board of Directors, filling the vacant At-Large Private School position.
  2. The Board approved a recommendation to approve the proposed budget for the 2009-10 school year.
  3. The Board approved a recommendation to adopt the revised Royalty Policy.
  4. The Board approved a recommendation to sign a contract with Wilson Sporting Goods Company to serve as the official IHSA shuttlecock and tennis ball supplier from January 2010 through December 2012.
  5. The Board approved a recommendation to hold rules meetings for bowling and badminton. The first-ever rules meetings in both sports will be held online.
  6. The Board approved a Chess Terms & Conditions recommendation to eliminate the use of Bronstein clocks.

ELIGIBILITY RULINGS

  1. The ruling on a student from Geneva was referred back to the Executive Director by the Board until more information can be made available. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.051.
  2. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Hinsdale (Central). The student is eligible immediately after originally being ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.034.3.
  3. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Chicago (Brother Rice). The student is eligible immediately after originally being ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.041.
  4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Wheaton (W. Warrenville South). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.046.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the September 14, 2009, agenda:

  1. The Executive Director reviewed the proposals submitted by member schools and other potential by-law amendments to be presented to the Legislative Commission.
  2. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the Action Team to Review Structure, Governance and Operational Procedures of the Association. The committee will be chaired by Assistant Executive Director Kurt Gibson and will meet for the first time on September 16. The committee includes:

                        Calvin Davis, Chicago Public Schools
                        Tom Schergen Chicago (Marist)
                        Chris Livatino, Evanston (Twp.)
                        Briant Kelly, Libertyville
                        Lisa Wunar, Country Club Hills (Hillcrest)
                        Steve McInerney, Oswego (H.S.)
                        Paul Heitkamp, Rockford (Boylan)
                        Brady Stromquist, Sherrard
                        Tim Moore, Bloomington (H.S.)
                        Marianne Larimer, Effingham (St. Anthony)
                        Sam Knox, Lincoln
                        Eric Flohr, Collinsville
                        Scott Steward, Salem
                        One member TBD

  1. The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha on the upcoming NFHS National Activities Week, which will take place from Sunday, October 11 through Saturday, October 17. The theme of each day are as follows:

                        Sunday, October 11                Be A Sport Day
                        Monday, October 12               Fine Arts Activities Day
                        Tuesday, October 13               Officials Day
                        Wednesday, October 14         Youth Health Awareness Day
                        Thursday, October 15             Coaches/Sponsors/Advisors Day       
                        Friday, October 16                  Fan Appreciation Day
                        Saturday, October 17              Community Service/Participation Day

  1. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the upcoming IADA Division Meetings and the Town Meetings/Principals Rules Meetings.
  2. The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Beth Sauser on the Leadership Conference held at Central Catholic High School on July 21.
  3. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on the schools who submitted and were approved to play up in classifications in various IHSA State Series sports. The following schools will play up during 2009-10 and 2010-11:

                  Arlington Heights (St. Viator)            Boys Golf       3A
                  Arlington Heights (St. Viator)            Cheerleading   Large
                  East St. Louis (Sr.)                            Football           7A
                  Palos Hts. (Chicago Christian)           Boys Golf       2A

  1. The Board heard a report from Assistant Executive Director Sue Hinrichsen on activities involving high school students at the 2009 Solheim Cup.
  2. Board President Jim Woodward discussed the idea of Pack the Pantry basketball games that allow admission with a donated can good to be collected for the host school’s local pantry. Some conferences are already doing one game per year under this format and a statewide initiative would be of value to IHSA schools and communities.