http://www.ihsa.org RSS feeds for IHSA 60 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/116/IHSA-Opposes-Potentially-Dangerous-Legislation-In-Senate-Bill-2550.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=93&ModuleID=479&ArticleID=116 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=116&PortalID=0&TabID=93 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/116/IHSA-Opposes-Potentially-Dangerous-Legislation-In-Senate-Bill-2550.aspx The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has come out in strong opposition of Illinois Senate Bill 2550 and is urging its member schools and the communities they reside in to speak out against this potentially dangerous legislation. Senate Bill 2550, which was filed by 53rd District Senator Shane Cultra (R) on January 11, would allow for a local school board to provide a waiver for a student-athlete to participate in a high school football contest, even if that the student-athlete has failed to meet the IHSA mandated 12 practices prior to the first contest due to involvement in military training. Football is the only IHSA sport that has a minimum number of practices required before game participation. “This is very dangerous and counterproductive legislation,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “First and foremost, this is an issue of student health and safety, not an issue of patriotism. We all applaud and support young people who choose to serve our country. However, deferring this decision to a school board, which, generally speaking, has no medical training, is irresponsible at best. While students who receive military training will have some level of conditioning, they are not in football playing condition as defined by medical professionals. Our Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has consistently maintained that all students need to have 12 days of football practice prior to participating in an interscholastic football game.” According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research, 38 high school football players in the United States have died from heat related illnesses since 2000, including five in 2011. There were 29 total deaths from 1980-1999. “You could make the case that the practice requirements to compete in a football game should be more stringent,” said Hickman. “And I believe the sentiment nationally is trending toward creating more restrictions in this area. Allowing a school board to completely disregard the advice of trained medical professionals who are immersed in this field really just defies logic.” Senate Bill 2550 was brought forward after a student-athlete in Senator Cultra’s district returned home from basic training in late August and was unable to meet the minimum practice requirement. The student-athlete appealed to the IHSA Board of Directors and that appeal was denied, resulting in the student-athlete sitting out the first contest of the year. The IHSA Board has received a handful of similar waiver requests in the past and all have been denied, based on the recommendation of the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. “Our committee (primarily physicians and certified athletic trainers) has the training and background to make that judgment,” said Hickman. “Their decision is supported by research and not fueled by emotion. More importantly, research tells us that heat illnesses are preventable. When you take into account all the positive steps forward that sports organizations around the world have made for athlete safety over the past decade, this bill would be a significant step backward for high school students in Illinois.” In addition, the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association (IATC), the Illinois Athletic Directors Association (IADA) and the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee have joined the IHSA in opposing Senate Bill 2550. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In 2009, the June edition of the Journal of Athletic Training (Volume 44, Number 3) published the medical journal report entitled Preseason Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for Secondary School Athletics, which was the culmination of a report prepared by 24 medical professionals, including co-chairs Douglas J. Casa (PhD, ATC, FNATA, FACSM) and David Csillan (MS, LAT, ATC). The excerpt below from that report defines the heat-acclimatization period and spells out that other activities that occur prior to preseason football practice should not be counted toward student-athlete acclimatization: “The heat-acclimatization period is defined as the initial 14 consecutive days of preseason practice for all student-athletes. The goal of the acclimatization period is to enhance exercise heat tolerance and the ability to exercise safely and effectively in warm to hot conditions. This period should begin on the first day of practice or conditioning before the regular season. Any practices or conditioning conducted before this time should not be considered a part of the heat-acclimatization period. Regardless of the conditioning program and conditioning status leading up to the first formal practice, all student-athletes (including those who arrive at preseason practice after the first day of practice) should follow the 14-day heat-acclimatization plan. During the preseason heat-acclimatization period, if practice occurs on 6 consecutive days, student-athletes should have 1 day of complete rest (no conditioning, walk-throughs, practices, etc).” matt Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:116 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/117/STATE-CENTRAL-Boys-Bowling.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=93&ModuleID=479&ArticleID=117 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=117&PortalID=0&TabID=93 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/117/STATE-CENTRAL-Boys-Bowling.aspx Ten-pin bowling takes on a whole new meaning at the 2012 IHSA Boys Bowling State Finals, as the tenth edition of the event unfolds on Friday   and Saturday, January 27 and 28 at St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights. St. Clair’s 50-lane layout has been the only home the IHSA Boys Bowling State Finals have ever known and O’Fallon High School will once again be serving as the tournament host. IHSA.tv will be there to document all the action and will have highlights posted on the website in the days that follow. Guilford High School became the second team from the city of Rockford to hoist the team state title a year ago (Jefferson in 2003), but did not qualify for the field in 2012, leaving Andrew as the only school to win back-to-back crowns (2004, 2005) in the first decade of the state meet. A host of usual suspects, including Vernon Hills (2nd in 2011), Lake Zurich (3rd) and Lake Park (7th) all return to the team field, but the literal host also needs to be seen as a top contender. No team in the state produced a higher team score (6,591) than O’Fallon during Sectionals this year and the Panthers will have the comfort of their home lanes for the state tourney, as sophomore Billy Goodman (1,379) and company look to ride the momentum from Sectionals to the school’s first state crown in the sport. Lake Zurich and Vernon Hills both lost several key contributors from a year ago to graduation, but the 2012 editions reloaded to post the fourth- and fifth-best Sectional totals (LZ-6,423, VH-6,391), respectively, in the state this season. Lake Zurich is paced by junior Mike Schmitt, who is a top individual title contender after placing second a year ago with a two-day total pinfall of 2,772, while Vernon Hills junior Eric Swanson earned a Top 30 individual finish in 2011. Lake Park is in search of its second team state title (2009) and despite graduating all of its participants from the 2011 state meet, the Lancers were second only to O’Fallon in team Sectional scores this year (6,575) behind the play of senior Zach McLaughlin (1,383 in Sectionals). Three other Top 10 teams from a year ago return to the field in 2012, including two-time state champ Andrew, Romeoville and a Plainfield Central club looking to follow the lead of fellow district school and 2010 state champ Plainfield South. Lake Zurich’s Schmitt posted the state’s top individual Sectional score (1,469) this season, but Rockford Christian junior Jonathan Melton (1,446) and Centralia sophomore Justin Sligar (1,433) weren’t far off his pacesetting total. Sandburg senior Joey Kopera (1,402, 2012 Andrew Sectional champ) will likely be a top individual contender as well, as he looks to build off of last year’s two-day state total of 2,705 that gave him fifth-place individual honors. Deerfield senior Zach Cole also returns after placing seventh individually with a total pinfall of 2,634 a year ago at St. Clair. SITE St. Clair Bowl (Fairview Heights) Host: O'Fallon High School Directions SCHEDULE Friday, January 27 9:00 AM Opening Ceremonies 9:45 AM Start Round One 1:00 PM Start Round Two Saturday, January 28 9:15 AM Introductions 9:45 AM Start Round Three 1:00 PM Start Round Four QUALIFIERS Qualifers & Lane Assignments WATCH A highlight package from the tournament will be posted on www.IHSA.tv in the days that follow the tournament. LISTEN No audio broadcasts currently scheduled for this event RESULTS & LIVE STATS Friday Prelim Results Saturday Finals Results TICKETS Day Pass-$10 INTERACT Chat Photos Video HISTORY & RECORDS 2011 State Series Results Past Team Champions Past Individual Champions Record Book   matt Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:117 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/115/IHSA-Accepting-Hosting-Bids-For-Dance-Football-State-Finals.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=93&ModuleID=479&ArticleID=115 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=115&PortalID=0&TabID=93 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/115/IHSA-Accepting-Hosting-Bids-For-Dance-Football-State-Finals.aspx The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has officially begun accepting State Final Hosting Bids for its Football State Finals and Dance State Finals, respectively, as the IHSA released the Site Proposal Specifications for both events to interested venues on January 18. The IHSA Football State Finals annually play out each November with eight championship games on the Friday (1A-4A) and Saturday (5A-8A) of Thanksgiving weekend. The University of Illinois has hosted the games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign since 1999, but a change in the Big 10 schedule has prompted the IHSA to find a host for its title games in odd years beginning in 2013. The Site Proposal Specifications seek a host for five seasons (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021). Memorial Stadium will continue to host the games in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. The IHSA will hold its inaugural Dance State Final on Friday and Saturday, January 25-26, 2013. The IHSA is seeking a five-year hosting contract for Dance as well, spanning from 2013 through 2017. “It is always an exciting and interesting process when we seek new hosts for state final events,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “The most important part of this process is finding a venue that allows us to host a first-class tournament that the student-athletes, coaches and fans will never forget. We feel like our events bring a lot of positives to the communities who embrace them and are confident that we will have several parties interesting in hosting both the football and dance state finals.” The IHSA plans to announce the hosts for both events in June. Dance Team Site Proposal Specifications Football Site Proposal Specifications   matt Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:115 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/114/Chicago-Concussion-Coalition-Offers-Free-Concussion-Seminars.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=93&ModuleID=479&ArticleID=114 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=114&PortalID=0&TabID=93 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/114/Chicago-Concussion-Coalition-Offers-Free-Concussion-Seminars.aspx The IHSA is pleased to announce a special opportunity for teachers, coaches, and administrators to attend advanced concussion training in 2012. These programs, offered thru the Chicago Concussion Coalition, are free and contain the most up-to-date information on research, education, prevention, and identification available for sports-related concussions. These programs will benefit all attendees and help their respective schools have a better understanding of concussions and help create a safer environment for student-athletes. The next available program is January 28, 2012. Information on that particular program can be found by clicking on this link . For a complete list of other training sessions and how to sign up, click on this link. craig Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:114 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/113/January-2012-Board-Meeting-Recap.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=93&ModuleID=479&ArticleID=113 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=113&PortalID=0&TabID=93 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/113/January-2012-Board-Meeting-Recap.aspx The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for their regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA offices in Bloomington on Monday, January 9, 2012. There were no action items at the meeting, but a list of Discussion Items and Eligibility Rulings from the meeting are listed below. ELIGIBILITY RULINGS 1. The ruling on a student from New Lenox (Providence Catholic) 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 3.043.4. 2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Streator (Woodland). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.042 and 3.047. 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 January 9, 2012, agenda: 1. The Executive Director provided the Board with a report on the 14 by-law proposals that were approved by the member schools via Amendment Ballot voting. 2. The following schools have been suspended from IHSA membership for not attending an IHSA Principals Rules Meeting for two consecutive 2 years: Brussels, Chicago (Academy of Scholastic Achievement), Chicago (ACE Tech Charter), Chicago (C. Math and Science Charter), Chicago (C. Talent Development Charter), Chicago (CICS/Larry Hawkins Charter), Chicago (Clemente), Chicago (Dunbar), Chicago (EPIC Academy Charter), Chicago (Fenger), Chicago (Hirsch), Chicago (Julian), Chicago (Kenwood), Chicago (Las Casas), Chicago (Morgan Park), Chicago (North Lawndale Charter), Chicago (Orr), Chicago (Robeson), Chicago (Schurz), Chicago (Senn), Chicago (South Shore), Chicago (St. Francis de Sales), Chicago (UCCS/Woodlawn), Chicago (Westinghouse College Prep), Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy), Grayville, Hardin (Calhoun), Norridge (Ridgewood), Orangeville, Plainfield (Christ Lutheran Academy), Rockford (Lutheran), Virginia. All suspended schools have been invited to attend a make-up meeting at the IHSA Office on January 12, 2012. The Board penalizes the second consecutive violation by a school by suspending the school from participation in the state series for a period of one year beginning on January 13. 3. The Board heard an update from IHSA Coordinator of Special Programs Tracie Henry on the upcoming Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, which is held in conjunction with the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals at the Peoria Civic on Friday and Saturday, March 9-10. 4. The Board heard an update from IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson on the IHSA Performance-Enhancing Drug Testing Program. 278 student-athletes from 26 member schools have been tested thus far in the 2011-12 school year, with zero positive tests reported. 5. The Executive Director provided the Board with a report on the NFHS Winter Meeting. 6. The Board heard a report from Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson and Assistant Executive Director Ron McGraw on participation opportunities for disabled student-athletes inside and outside of the IHSA. matt Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:113 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/112/IHSA-Schools-Approve-All-14-Proposals-on-Amendment-Ballot.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=93&ModuleID=479&ArticleID=112 http://www.ihsa.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=112&PortalID=0&TabID=93 http://www.ihsa.org/NewsMedia/Announcements/tabid/93/ID/112/IHSA-Schools-Approve-All-14-Proposals-on-Amendment-Ballot.aspx All 14 proposals on the ballot in the annual Illinois High School Association (IHSA) member school referendum were approved in voting by the membership last month. The online ballots were tabulated and certified in the IHSA Office Thursday (Jan. 5).  All the by-law changes take effect on July 1, 2012. CORRECTION: Proposal 11 takes effect 30 days after passage (February 4, 2012). Here is a summary of the successful proposals and the vote totals: Proposal 1 (passed 261-239) allows private schools with enrollments of 200 or less (before the 1.65 multiplier is applied) to be part of cooperative teams. Proposal 2 (passed 496-3) allows the Illinois School for the Deaf to compete against other schools for the deaf, even if they are not a member of their state’s high school association, with the permission of the Executive Director. Proposal 3 (passed 422-77) simplifies the language of the by-law regarding the qualifications needed to serve as a head or assistant coach. Proposal 4 (passed 447-51) requires any school entering a state tournament to have a member of its coaching staff watch the required rules interpretation presentation, even if the school has only an individual entry or entries. Proposal 6 (passed 400-99) allows a certificate of physical fitness to be valid for 395 days from the date it was issued (the current limit is 365 days). Proposal 7 (passed 309-189) requires students to be doing passing work in 25 credit hours of high school work per week (the current requirement is 20 hours.) A physical education class may be counted as one of the five courses used to earn 25 credit hours, even if the school does not give credit for P.E. Proposal 8 (passed 304-195) requires students, except for incoming freshmen, to have received credit for passing work in 25 credit hours of high school work during the previous semester (the current requirement is 20 hours.) A physical education class may be counted as one of the five courses used to earn 25 credit hours, even if the school does not give credit for P.E. Proposal 10 (passed 334-161) expands the exception to non-school participation to include competitions sanctioned by, but not necessarily sponsored or conducted by, the National Governing Body or its official Illinois affiliate, and approved by the IHSA Board of Directors. Proposal 11 (passed 302-187) creates the following new rules for summer football drills: (a) Before full pads are allowed during summer camp, teams must practice 2 days with helmet only and 2 days with helmet and shoulder pads only, and (b) Helmets, mouthpieces, and appropriate footwear may be worn during 7-on-7 scrimmages. Proposal 12 (passed 428-55) allows a wrestling team to compete in more than five contests in a tournament if that tournament takes place over two consecutive days. Proposal 13 (passed 424-75) removes the restriction on the number of quarters a basketball player can participate in during the course of the regular season. Proposal 14 (passed 335-138) moves the date of the first contest in boys bowling three days earlier, from Monday of Week 19 to Friday of Week 18. Proposal 20 (passed 431-48) adds a limitation on practice in Competitive Dance, running from Monday of Week 18 to Saturday of Week 39. Proposal 21 (passed 436-42) restricts Competitive Dance squads to no more than seven competitions, excluding the IHSA state series. A total of 500 of 794 member schools (63.0%) participated in the amendment vote, the highest turnout since 2005-06.  The 14 by-law amendments passed by the membership were the most since 22 were passed in 1999-2000. Following is a summary of member school participation in the amendment process since 1996-97. Year Type of Ballot Proposals on Ballot Schools Voting Percentage Voting 1996-97 mail-in 3 ≥541 ~72% 1997-98 mail-in 5 ≥526 ~70% 1998-99 mail-in data missing 1999-2000 mail-in 22 ≥517 ~68% 2000-01 mail-in 3 ≥547 ~73% 2001-02 mail-in 11 (1 rejected) ≥417 of 755 ~55% 2002-03 mail-in 7 ≥493 of 766 ~64% 2003-04 mail-in 9 ≥541 ~71% 2004-05 electronic 5 ≥475 ~62% 2005-06 electronic 5 ≥593 ~78% 2006-07 electronic 6 438 of 764 57.3% 2007-08 electronic 4 473 of 756 62.0% 2008-09 electronic 4 (1 rejected) 415 of 777 53.4% 2009-10 electronic 8 430 of 785 54.8% 2010-11 electronic 13 416 of 786 52.9% 2011-12 electronic 14 500 of 794 63.0% scott Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:112