IHSA Announcements

June 14, 2004

3 New Board Members, 9th Administrative Staff Position Approved

Three vacancies were filled on the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors Monday (June 14) at the regular monthly meeting, and the Board approved Susan M. Knoblauch as an eighth assistant executive director. Dr. Martin L. Hickman is Executive Director.

Named to the Board to serve until the annual election this fall were Dr. John McGraw of Tinley Park (H.S.) representing Division 3; Mike Kelly of Carlinville representing Division 6 and Melver Scott of Chicago (Crane) at-large representing minorities. McGraw replaces Board President Dr. Frank Stout of Summit (Argo) who will become the district's superintendent. Kelly replaces Jeff Whitsitt of Alexis who will become the district's superintendent. Scott replaces Dr. Diane Dyer-Dawson of Chicago (Collins) who is retiring.

Susan Knoblauch will join the administrative staff August 1, where she will be responsible for Music, Speech and Cheerleading among other duties. (See related story here.)

The Board also acted upon recommendations from 14 advisory committees, and tied up several loose ends.

Other Action

Budget: The Board approved the budget for the 2004-05 fiscal year. The budget reflects retirement of the mortgage on the IHSA Office expansion. It projects income of $6.5 million and expenses of $6.1 million.

Public/Private Task Force: The Board heard a progress report from Board member and task force chairman Joe Schlender. Members of the Task Force will be available to attend conference meetings to discuss the work of the Task Force. Conferences can request that members attend their meeting through either Mr. Schlender at Hoffman Estates (Conant) High School or through the IHSA Office.

Financial Aid Criteria Committee: The Board heard a progress report from Board member and committee chairman Dr. James Quaid.

Town Meeting Attendance: After receiving a report that 73 of the Association's 757 member schools were not represented at the required annual Town Meetings/Principals Rules Meetings and were now on probation, the Board voted to suspend from membership in IHSA any school not in compliance after a second straight absence. The suspension would begin Jan. 1 following the respective second missed meeting.

Golf Spectator Access: The Board voted to establish a busing system to transport spectators about the state final golf courses, and to allow managers of the regionals and sectionals to develop a similar system for their venues.

Non-Athletic Trophies: The Board voted to change the type of trophies used in the non-athletic events to the same trophy used in the athletic events effective with the 2004-05 (next) school term. The change will increase the trophy budget by approximately $6,000. The state series affected are Speech, Music, Chess and Scholastic Bowl.

Class AA Baseball Site: The Board voted to extend the contract for Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva one year. Because of a scheduling difficulty for the 2003 state final, Elfstrom Stadium was not the site of the Class AA Tournament. The extension gives the site the full five-year tenure that was awarded when it won the bid to serve as site for the large school tournament.

Administrative Staff Contracts: The Board approved a plan to provide three-year contracts to administrative staff members who have completed five or more years of employment. Previously, only the Executive Director received a multiple-year contract. Administrative staff members employed less than five years will receive one-year contracts until they have served five years.

NFHS Summer Meeting Attendance Policy: The Board approved a policy establishing guidelines for attendance by members of the Administrative Staff and Board of Directors at the annual National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Summer Meeting. Board members who are returning and Staff members who have served the previous school term will be eligible to attend the Summer Meeting. The Board will determine on an annual basis which staff and board members will attend the meeting.

Coop Term Limit Interpretation: The Board approved the following interpretation regarding the term limit of Cooperative Teams involving consolidation, etc.: “In the event of consolidation, annexation, or deactivation, a coop agreement among schools will cease to exist. In such an event the consolidation, annexation, or deactivation will supersede the coop agreement. The remaining school(s) will be allowed to enter into a new coop agreement with a new district, even if their former agreement had not expired.”

Policy for Girls on Boys Teams: The Board approved revisions in the IHSA Policy for Girls on Boys Teams (see below)

Journalism Advisory Committee: The Board authorized the staff to appoint a Journalism Advisory Committee for the 2004-05 school term.

Advisory Committee Recommendations

The Board acted on recommendations from 14 Advisory Committees at its regular meeting Monday.

“Our advisory committees meet on an annual basis, usually soon after the completion of the state series in that sport or activity,” said IHSA Executive Director Dr. Martin L. Hickman. “Each advisory committee assesses the terms and conditions for its state tournament series, and all other facets of the sport or activity which may apply to the site of its state final event, and which may apply during the regular season. The advisory committees that address areas of IHSA operation other than a respective state series also meet annually to make recommendations regarding their specific charge.”

Following is a recap of Board action regarding each of the committee reports and Terms and Conditions recommendations:

Athletic Administrators

1. Received the report of its meeting and approved several recommendations the committee made regarding proposals from the sport/activity advisory committees. The recommendations are reflected in Board action regarding the sports/activity advisory committees.

Boys/Girls Basketball

1. Approved a recommendation in girls basketball that Class A and AA Regional games shall be held on Monday through Friday nights. This will provide that no team will be required to play on three (3) successive nights. It will allow the Regional championship games to be played on Thursday or Friday nights.
    
2. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls basketball that stipulates it is the responsibility of each competing school in the state series to complete a season results form prior to its seeding meeting. The school must fax the form to their sectional manager no later than 10 a.m. on the Thursday prior to their scheduled seeding meeting.
    
3. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls basketball that a maximum of 12 cheerleaders and one (1) mascot in costume may be on the floor at any state series contest.
    
4. Tabled a recommendation in boys/girls basketball that in order to maintain the integrity of the playing surface and protect competitors, local managers of the state series contests will create a safe zone along each baseline that will be devoid of any persons (such as cheerleaders or media personnel) or other obstructions. This safe area will extend three (3) feet from the baseline towards the facility's back wall, stage, or bleachers and shall include the 12 foot area located across the free throw lane extended plus seven (7) additional feet on each side of the lane extended. This 26-foot area shall also extend back a minimum of three feet from the baseline towards the facility's back wall, stage, or bleachers. 
    
5. Approved a recommendation in boys basketball that will allow the coaches at the seeding meetings to nominate the Slam Dunk competitors from their respective sub-sectional. The top two (2) ranked nominees will represent the sub-sectional complex, and the next two (2) in ranked order will be eligible to be named as alternates. Each sub-sectional will supply the IHSA Office with the names of the two (2) nominees to represent the sub-sectional, and in ranked order the two (2) others eligible to be named as alternates.
    
6. Approved a recommendation for boys/girls basketball that the Mercy Rule employed in Illinois during the 2003-04 season be extended to include any regular season contest or regular season tournament in 2004-05.

Boys/Girls Bowling

1. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling for team's lane rotations during the boys and girls state finals. Teams will be assigned their first round lanes based on their season seeds. Following the first game and every game thereafter, teams will rotate within a block of 6 lanes. Teams assigned to the even numbered lanes will move one pair (2 lanes), in the same block, to the right. Teams assigned to the odd numbered lanes will move one pair (2 lanes), in the same block, to the left. In the Friday afternoon session, teams will not be reseeded and will bowl on the same pair (2 lanes) they bowled on for game 1 in the morning with their 4th game beginning on the opposite lane they started on in the morning. On Saturday for the morning and afternoon sessions, teams will be placed in lanes based on their state final scores. The same rotation in a block of 6 will be used.
    
2. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling for an individual's lane rotation during the boys and girls state finals. Individuals will be assigned their first round lanes based on the luck of the draw. Following the first game, individuals will alternate one pair (2 lanes) within their block of 4.In the Friday afternoon session, individuals will not be reseeded and will bowl on the same pair (2 lanes) they bowled on for game 1 in the morning with their 4th game beginning on the opposite lane they started on in the morning. On Saturday's morning session, the 20 individual bowlers will be placed in their lanes based on their state final scores and continue to alternate within their block. On Saturday afternoon session, 10 individual bowlers will remain on the same pair of lanes they bowled on in the morning session.
    
3. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling for team sectional lane rotation. At the sectional, teams will be assigned lanes for round 1 based on the team seed score. After each game teams on odd numbered lanes will move one pair (two lanes) left and teams on the even numbered lanes will move right one pair (2 lanes). After lunch teams will continue to move in this fashion for three more games starting on the lane they would move to after the third game.

Example: At a twelve-lane house with 12 teams the number 1 seed will start on lane 7. Game two that team will go to lane 5, game three to lane 3. After lunch that team will continue on lane 1, game five on lane 11, game 6 on lane 9. For uneven sectionals this works the same way. The "blind" team will advance in the same fashion as the others. Below is a sample twelve-team sectional rotation schedule:

12 Team Lane Rotations

16 Team Lane Rotations

If there are only 11/15 teams replace the 12th/16th seed with the blind team.

3. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling for ball certification. All bowling balls must meet ABC/WIBC specifications. Bowling balls must be certified by each school program and have on hand the certification document during the state final competition. Additional bowling balls may be certified and added to the form during the state final competition. Any bowling ball that does not meet the specifications will be removed from the competition and impounded for the remainder of the tournament. If it is to be shown that the bowler had prior knowledge of not meeting the specifications, the bowler will be subject to forfeiting.
    
4. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling that between games or during competition, altering the surface of the bowling ball by the use of abrasives be prohibited. Scuff pads, sandpaper or comet based cleansers are considered abrasive agents. Between any round (after 3 games) the surface of the bowling ball may be altered using abrasive agents or polishing products. Approved cleaning products may be used at any time. Cleaning products include ball polishing machines, Luster King, ball spinners and/or isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
    
5. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling to reduce the time for warm-up periods at the sectional and state final in the following format: 15 minutes be allowed for practice balls at the sectional and state final tournaments with seven and one half minutes on one lane and seven and one half minutes on the other lane will be allowed.
    
6. Approved recommendations in boys/girls bowling to open the doors Saturday of the state final 15 minutes earlier. Introductions will begin at 8:20 a.m. and the warm-ups for the Third Round will begin at 8:30 a.m. Fourth Round warm-ups will start at 12:30 p.m. the Saturday State Final Time Schedule.
    
7. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling that the rules of play be those of the ABC/WIBC/YABA.
    
8. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling that at the Sectionals, the lanes are oiled with a house league /house shot condition.
    
9. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls bowling that in addition to the $100.00 penalty for by-law 6.041, breach of contract, that lane fees be included as part of the financial loss of the host site.

Boys/Girls Soccer

1. Tabled a recommendation to change the Classification System Policy for soccer to provide a system that puts schools with both a boys and girls program in the same class.
    
2. Approved a change in the boys/girls soccer state final quarterfinal time schedule to have the games at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6p.m.
    
3. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls soccer that allows a school to designate its 22 players for each game instead of for each level in the state series.
    
4. Approved a recommendation in boys/girls soccer that allows schools to substitute persons on their team rosters for any reason and at any time between games throughout the state series provided all substitutes meet IHSA eligibility requirements.
    
5. Approved a recommendation that a maximum of 12 cheerleaders and one (1) mascot in costume may be on the sideline at any state series contest.
    

Boys/Girls Swimming and Diving

1. Approved recommendations in boys/girls swimming to have two different Relay Cards for the coaches to fill out, one with 6 spaces and one with 8 spaces. Only the 200-medley relay allows four (4) alternates.
    
2. Approved a recommendation in boys swimming qualifying standard in the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay to 3:19.99
    
3. Approved recommend changes in the girls swimming qualifying standards as follows: 200-Yard Individual Medley to 2:13.99; 200-Yard Medley Relay to 1:52.69; 50-Yard Freestyle change to :24.99
    
4. Approved a recommendation to modify the ticket purchasing procedure for the state final in boys/girls swimming. Schools will not fax the special ticket order form to the host site and bring payment to pick up the tickets.
    
5. Did not approve a recommendation to bring at large swimmers to fill the empty lanes at the state final with the next fastest times from all sectionals.

Boys Wrestling

1. Did not approve a recommendation that the Bod-Pod be approved as a method for appealing body fat test results.
    
2. Approved a recommendation that the Refractometer be allowed to determine if a wrestler passes the hydration test.
    
3. Approved a recommendation that the certified body fat testers be re-certified yearly, and that a re-certification process be developed.
    
4. Approved a recommendation that skin fold testing must occur immediately following the Urine Specific Gravity Test without delay and without working out.
    
5. Approved a recommendation that the IHSA Board of Directors review the Classification Policy.The Wrestling Advisory Committee would like to look at three classes, but the existing policy does not allow for this.
    
6. Approved a recommendation that an extra coach's pass be given to schools that qualify five or more wrestlers.
    
7. Did not approve a recommendation that that fourth place finisher in the sectional advance to the state final.
    
8. Did not approve a recommendation that the wrestling state series be conducted under the sectional complex format.

Chess 

1. Approved a recommendation that starting with the 2005-06 season, in order to participate in the IHSA Chess Team State Tournament, a team must have participated in at least one team tournament involving at least four teams. 
    
2. Approved a recommendation to pair the teams at the state final by dividing the top 48 ranked teams into 8 groups of six, rank-ordering the first group of six, and drawing by lot for a pairing number in the remaining groups. 
    
3. Approved a recommendation that in the event that more than 128 teams are to be paired, the Sixths Acceleration Method will be used. 
    
4. Approved a recommendation for breaking ties as follows: For each team played, multiply a team's match points plus ten (10) points, by the square of the match points received in the tournament plus one (1) point, divided by one hundred (100); then add these points for each round played in the tournament. 
    
5. Approved a recommendation that individual awards will be presented to players on Boards 2 through 8 who have a score at least six points and are undefeated. This change rewards players on lower boards who make it through the tournament without a loss. 
    
6. Approved a recommendation that ties for individual places will be broken according to the following tie-breakers, applied in this order: modified median, Solkoff, cumulative, and opponents' cumulative. 
    
7. Approved a recommendation that food or drink will not be permitted in the playing area, except for bottled water, which may be consumed, but not placed on the playing table. 
    
8. Approved a recommendation to limit the use of cell phones and headphones in the following manner: A cell phone that goes off in the playing area will result in the loss of team tie-break points. A cell phone that appears to be in use may result in forfeiture of the game. No headphones of any type may be worn in the playing area. 

Equity

1. Approved a recommendation that the affirmative action policy for boys on girls' teams be reviewed to reflect a format that has a distinct Rationale section, Policy section, Procedures section, Penalties section, Illustration section, and Historical Perspective section. It is further recommended that the policy include language that is more usable. It is also recommended that the ISBE forms be provided online through the IHSA for ease of processing the request.
    
2. Approved a recommendation that as part of the Challenge Yourself Campaign, the IHSA develop standards for the use of images and words in media and publications. The Equity committee was authorized by the Board to develop standards.
    
3. Approved a recommendation that IHSA develop a media recognition program. The Board referred the recommendation to the News Media Advisory Committee.
    
4. Tabled a recommendation that the Women of the Federation (WOF) Equity Recognition Program be extended to the member schools.
    
5. Approved a recommendation that an activity assessment instrument be approved. The Board previously authorized that the non-athletic activity programs be assessed.

Music Solo/Ensemble

1. Approved Chamber Choir as a vocal event with the following criteria: a. Chamber Choir music must be presented; b. Music may be performed either unaccompanied or with up to eight (8) instrumentalists. Instrumental support must be students with the exception of the keyboard player who may be an adult.
    
2. Approved a recommendation to change the due date for the entries and fees to January 31, 2005.
    
3. Tabled a recommended changes in the judging fees as follows: Judges for the Solo/Ensemble contest shall be compensated on the following scale: Base Fee-$150 for 5 hours of actual judging; Secondary Fee- $30 per hour for each hour of judging beyond 5 at any given contest; Per Diem-$30 for meals and transportation.
    
4. Approved a recommendation to allow Junior High students to participate in vocal ensembles as well as instrumental ensembles for Class B, C or D member schools.
    
5. Approved a recommendation that clarifies the role of the site advisory committees by requiring that the local committee assist the contest manager in the selection of adjudicators for the contest. This is a requirement of the Advisory Committee.

Music Organization

1. Approved a recommendation to allow Junior High students to participate in vocal organizations as well as instrumental organizations for Class B, C or D member schools.
    
2. Tabled a recommendation to change the judges fees as follows: Base Fee-$150 for 5 hours of actual judging; Secondary Fee- $30 per hour for each hour of judging beyond 5 at any given contest; Per Diem- $30 for meals and transportation.
    
3. Approved a recommendation to eliminate sections that require scores for jazz bands, jazz choirs and show choirs.
    
4. Approved a recommendation that clarifies the role of the site advisory committees by requiring that the local committee assist the contest manager in the selection of adjudicators for the contest.

Officials

1. Approved a recommendation that the Grant Program to Recognized Officials Associations to be continued for the 2004-05 school year. The Illinois High School Association has made available $5,000 to recognized associations to apply for to help with mentoring, education and recruiting programs. The IESA has made available $2,000 to go with this program.
    
2. Approved a recommendation that IHSA provide an information sheet for the Adopt-A-College program that details how an officials association would set up this program along with the application for the Adopt-A-College for recruiting officials. IHSA will send the initial letter to all the colleges to inform them about the program and request a contact person for the Recognized Official Association to follow up with.
    
3. Approved a recommendation that IHSA send a letter to all colleges to find out how many have officiating classes as part of their college curriculum. IHSA will request a contact person if the college has a class or would be interested in starting an officiating class.
    
4. Did not approve a recommendation to alter the system used to rate officials that would limit the level of ratings to Registered and Recognized officials.
    
5. Approved a recommendation to change the definitions used in rating officials. The definitions are:

State Final Official - Must be good enough to be assigned to the State Final Tournament. Must be an official in the top 10% of all officials in the following categories: rule knowledge, physical appearance, mechanics and signals, positioning, game management, attitude/professionalism, consistency, judgment and reaction to pressure. (#1 Rating)

Sectional Level Official - Must be good enough to be assigned to a Sectional tournament. Must be an official in the top 25% of all officials in the following categories: rule knowledge, physical appearance, mechanics and signals, positioning, game management, attitude/professionalism, consistency, judgment and reaction to pressure. (#2 Rating)

Regional Level Official - Must be good enough to be assigned to a Regional tournament. Must be in the top 50% of all officials in the following categories: rule knowledge, physical appearance, mechanics and signals, positioning, game management, attitude/professionalism, consistency, judgment and reaction to pressure. (#3 Rating)

Varsity Level Official - This official is good enough to be assigned to varsity contests but needs more game experience to become a Regional level official. (#4 Rating)

Lower Level Contest Only - This official should be assigned to lower level contests to gain more game experience to become a Varsity level official. (#5 Rating)

Rule Knowledge - This official knows the rules as evidenced by discussion and/or application.

Physical Appearance - The uniform, equipment, general appearance and physical conditioning of the official are appropriate for the contest. Patches are worn properly.

Mechanics and Signals - The official uses proper signaling and floor/field mechanics. The call is made clear with proper mechanics.

Positioning - The official is in proper position to make the call.

Game Management - The official manages the contest and its situations in a manner in which the game is the main focus and the official is unnoticed. The official prevents or mitigates situations that could endanger participants or spectators.

Attitude/Professionalism - The official exhibits professionalism in personal attitude and his/her behavior. Communication with officials, coaches, players and other game/site personnel is professional and respectful.

Consistency - The official calls the contest consistently and applies all rules consistently.

Judgment - The official uses good judgment in applying the rules.

Reaction to Pressure - The official remains poised, calm and under control throughout the contest, regardless of situations that occur during the contest.

6. Tabled a pair of recommendations regarding fees paid to officials who work the different levels of competition in the respective IHSA state series.
    
7. Approved a recommendation that each state final administrator secure rooms at a single property in the area where the respective state final event is being held for the officials assigned by the IHSA Office. IHSA will approve the number of nights lodging for each official. IHSA will be direct billed for the officials lodging.
    
8. Approved a recommendation the each Sport Administrator work with the State Final officials to secure rooms needed to house the officials that are staying overnight. The IHSA would approve the number of nights the officials would stay and pay for the housing. This would be a direct bill to the IHSA. The State Final officials would not get a lodging reimbursement.
    
9. Did not approve a recommendation that Certified Officials who rate another official with a one (1) rating provide a written explanation as to why the rated official should be a State Final official.

Scholastic Bowl

1. 1. Approved a recommendation to include the following points of emphasis for regional managers to review at the coaches meeting: 
   1. Matching Tops (Required) 
   2. Name Plates (No nicknames) 
   3. Sportsmanship (At all times) 
   4. Reminder to review T & C's and Rule Book 
   5. Five players required to start each match
    
2. Did not approve a recommendation to use a calculated weighted winning percentage in seeding teams.
    
3. Did not approve a recommendation to access a 30-point penalty at every round of the Regional for any team that does not attend the seeding meeting or submit the Team Information Report Form. Instead, the Board mandated that all schools entered in the series must either attend the seeding meeting or submit the Team Information Report Form.
    
4. Approved a recommendation that if two teams have a tie score at the end of a match the moderator shall randomly select a toss-up and randomly select a bonus question to use as the tiebreaker.
    
5. Approved a recommendation to modify the penalty process that if after triggering the lockout system and gaining possession, but before being recognized a player blurts out the answer; the only penalty is that a correct answer will be worth 5 points instead of 10 points. An incorrect answer will be simply ruled as incorrect with no penalty.
    
6. Approved a recommendation to change the appeal time from two (2) minutes to three (3) minutes.
    
7. Approved a recommendation that no one other than the moderator or his/her designee may leave the room to do research or to consult with anyone outside the room.
    
8. Approved a recommendation that an appeal shall not be charged as a time out.
    
9. Approved a recommendation that the moderator has the discretion to accept variations provided the moderator is consistent with both teams in accepting or rejecting variations.
    
10. Approved a recommendation to increase the maximum team roster size to 15 members throughout the state series.
     
11. Approved a recommendation to increase the number of medallions awarded to the first, second, third, and fourth place teams at the State Final to 18.
     
12. Approved a recommendation that Regional & Sectional Managers may allow the moderators to view the questions starting one week prior to the round of competition, and to bring their findings to the Moderators' Meeting. There should be a sign-out sheet to secure the chain of possession.
     
13. Approved a recommendation to designate "Major" and "Minor" sub-categories in which written questions will be selected. The BOLD, CAPALTILIZED, UNDERLINED sub-categories are the major areas that the majority of the questions from that category will be selected.

Speech Debate

1. Approved a recommendation that Schools withdrawing teams (entire entry) after February 25, 2005, will be assessed a $100 penalty in addition to forfeiting entry fees paid from withdrawn teams.
    
2. Approved a recommendation that Individual entry withdrawal will be assessed a $25 penalty per entry dropped.
    
3. Approved a recommendation that the use of electronic retrieval devices will not be permitted. Internet access during a round of Debate is strictly prohibited.
    
4. Approved a recommendation to change the date of the 2005 Debate Tournament to March 17-19, 2005.
    
5. Approved a recommendation to add Public Forum Debate as an experimental event to the Debate series.
    
6. Approved a recommendation regarding participation limits as follows: Policy Debaters may participate in only one (1) debate event at the State Finals. Congressional Debaters may double enter in either Lincoln-Douglas or Public Forum Debate. Debaters may also participate in Drama, Group Interpretation and no more than two (2) Individual Events.

Speech Drama/Group Interpretation

1. Approved a recommendation clarifying the Drama/Group Interpretation section of the policy for assignment of judges in the state series showing the assignment committee will maintain a geographic distribution of judges to secure judges who represent various philosophies. Judges for the State Finals cannot judge at the Sectionals in the same event.
    
2. Approved a penalty procedure as follows: General Penalty for Violations by Contestants: Unless otherwise specified in the rules, the penalty for rules violations in any round of competition throughout the entire contest series shall be that the contestant's ranking in the round where the violation occurs be changed to last and the ranks of other contestants will be adjusted as necessary.
    
3. Approved a recommendation that if both timers watches confirm that a performance ran more than 40:00:00 minutes form the initial cue to the final performance element, the play shall be penalized one (1) rank per judge for each full thirty (30) seconds of overtime.
    
4. Approved a recommendation for withdrawing from the series that withdrawal after December 1 but before January 22, 2005, will result in a $100 penalty. Withdrawal after January 22, 2005, will result in a $100 penalty plus forfeiture of the event fees listed on the assignment sheet.
    
5. Approved a recommendation that drawing for performance order in Dramatics shall be made by the IHSA office as follows: Six (6) numbers shall be placed in a receptacle and mixed. Adjustments for double entries will be made as necessary.
    
6. Approved a recommendation that drawing for performance order in Group Interpretation shall be made by the IHSA office as follows: Six (6) numbers shall be place in a receptacle and mixed. Adjustments for double entries will be made as necessary.
    
7. Approved a recommendation that substitutions and/or additions for personnel in Dramatics and Group Interpretation at any contest may be made provided the local contest manager and the IHSA office are notified at least one (1) day prior to the contest.
    
8. Approved a recommendation that stipulates Dramatics is an event in which students perform in and run (with adult supervision as necessary) an actual dramatic production, cut to fit within the time limits if necessary.

Speech Individual Events

1. Approved a recommendation to change the late withdrawal penalty from $50 to $100.
    
2. Approved a recommendation that if a school withdraws one or more contestants after the Regional Entry Meeting, it shall be liable for all entry fees and shall be assessed additional penalty fees in the amount of $25 per entry withdrawn.
    
3. Approved a recommendation that each school shall post a final entry form online by the Monday of the Regional Entry Meeting, containing the names of students who will participate along with other pertinent information.
    
4. Approved a recommendation that clarifies the penalty for not providing proof of publication. The rules will provide that a copy of proof of publication, original source, copy of copyright page or internet validity (see Article III-A-5) must be presented at the Regional meeting for all interpretive events, Dramatic Duet Acting, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Duet Acting, Humorous Interpretation, Prose, Verse and Oratorical Declamation. The Regional Committee will review proof of publication. Without proof the contestant will not be allowed to compete.
    
5. Approved a recommendation that establishes a procedure to be used by timers to designate when time has expired. The procedure applies to all events except Radio Speaking, and will be that both timers designated by the manager shall raise their hands above their heads upon expiration of the allotted time, to let the performer know the time limit has been reached. Both timers shall keep the hands raised above their heads until the performer concludes.
    
6. Did not approve a recommendation that would not allow judges to stop a performance or disqualify contestants for actions or performance that is inappropriate.
    
7. Approved a recommendation in Radio Speaking that stipulates no new articles or items may be added except transition sentences, introductions and conclusions. However, the use of creative transitions, commentary and colorful verbs in sports, weather and the commercial is allowed to enhance the performance.
    
8. Approved a recommendation in Dramatic Duet Acting/Humorous Duet Acting that plays written for two (2) actors playing multiple characters will be acceptable.

Speech Performance in the Round

1. Approved a recommendation to establish a penalty for contestant violations that reads: General Penalty for Violations by Contestants: Unless otherwise specified in the rules, the penalty for rules violations in any round of competition throughout the entire contest series shall be that the contestant's ranking in the round where the violation occurs be changed to last and the ranks of other contestants will be adjusted as necessary.
    
2. Approved a recommendation for judging the event that stipulates entries in each section will perform once and be ranked by a panel of five judges. With five judges being used, the highest and lowest rankings for each performance shall not be considered.
    
3. Approved a recommendation that individuals in Performance in Round may not be entered in any other event at the same tournament. A substitution procedure was also approved.
    
4. Approved a recommendation that at Regionals and Sectionals, the first place team will receive a plaque. At the State Final, medallions will be awarded to the team members of the first place team with trophies awarded for first, second and third place teams.
    
5. Approved a recommendation that performance groups will be limited to 10 chairs (not folding ones) and 2 tables which will be provided by the host school.

Sportsmanship

1. Did not approve a recommendation for a suggested pre-game handshake procedure. It would allow that prior to the start of competition in all IHSA sports, participating teams shake hands as a sign of good sportsmanship. This pre-game practice would take place before the National Anthem and introductions occur. Teams wishing each other good luck prior to the competition enhances the promotion of sportsmanship amongst the competitors. Officials and fans may be more cognizant of the pre-game handshake than the post game handshake since emotions between competitors tend to run high after the game, officials are leaving the playing area and fans are preparing to leave the facility. The pre-game handshake is not meant to replace the post game handshake rather it may alleviate some issues after the game.

Sports Medicine

1. Approved a recommendation regarding wrestling weight management. Effective with the 2004-05 school year, schools can use either test strips or refractometers to conduct the hydration portion of the IHSA wrestling weight management plan.
    
2. Approved a recommendation to provide a state final event pass to properly licensed medical personnel for each team participating in the state final. The pass would be available for either a trainer or physician. The school must submit a written request to the IHSA Office prior to the respective state final event.

Boys/Girls Gymnastics

1. Tabled a recommendation in boys/girls gymnastics to award medallions to all finalists in the individual events.

Eligibility Decisions

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director's decision that a student is ineligible at Mundelein (Carmel) until Nov. 27, 2004 for noncompliance with transfer by-law 3.043 and its sub-sections. The student is a freshman transfer from Libertyville High School where he participated in football this school term. There has been no move by his family to a new public school district in conjunction with the transfer. He did not previously attend private schools.
    
2. The Board sustained the Executive Director's ruling that Peoria (Woodruff) must forfeit the contests in which a senior transfer student participated while ineligible at Woodruff. In addition, Woodruff has been placed on probation for the 2004-05 school term and was required to submit a written plan detailing corrective measures it will take to insure compliance with the transfer by-laws. The student transferred from Peoria (Richwoods) to Woodruff and participated in athletics prior to the Principals' Concurrence Regarding Transfer Form being completed. Richwoods did not concur with the transfer. 
   

Discussion Items

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain agenda items the Board discusses, but upon which it takes no action. Following is a report of those on the June, 2004, agenda:

CPL Contact Day Request: The Board discussed a request from the Chicago Public League to allow the schools in the Chicago Public League to begin the use of Contact Days as allowed in By-law 3.150 (inclusive) as early as June 7. The schools in the CPL are in session until June 22. The by-law stipulates that member schools may use 25 allowable contact days "during the period between the last day of classes in the spring each year and Saturday of Week 4 in the IHSA Standardized Calendar." The Board discussed several options that could be included in a proposal to change the by-law in the upcoming annual referendum process.

School Name Policy: The Board discussed how member schools that are created by consolidation name themselves for purposes of IHSA identification and mailings. Since the formation of the Association 104 years ago, member schools were listed by the town in which the school was located and received its mail. Member schools will make decisions regarding their school name based on where the school is located of where the school receives its mail and must communicate that information to the IHSA Office once the decision has been made.

IHSA Policy for Girls on Boys Teams

I. Rationale

This Affirmative Action Policy addresses the issue of girls participating on boys' teams and boys participating on girls' teams during the IHSA state series. The overall philosophy is that schools should provide separate but comparable athletic opportunities for each sex. There are circumstances however, when an opportunity to compete at a school is not provided a girl or a boy. This policy protects the existing participation opportunities for the underrepresented gender (girls) and also allows that gender additional participation opportunities when they are not provided to them at their school.

The position of the association is that a girl may participate on a boys' teams but a boy may not participate on a girls' teams. The foundation for this rationale is that by allowing a boy to compete on a girls' team, he most likely would replace a girl on that team thus taking away another opportunity. This situation not only adds to the difference in participation opportunities but also hurts the growth of the girls program.

IHSA is not the enforcement agency. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) monitors the Federal law and the Illinois Sex Equity Rules that require school districts to offer athletic programs that accommodate the interest and abilities of both sexes to a comparable degree. It is their agency that the IHSA member schools must work through in regards to compliance. Therefore, procedures established in this policy are in keeping with the ISBE's role.

II. Policy for a Girl Entering an IHSA Boys Tournament Series.

This policy applies only to the IHSA state series. During the regular season, schools and conferences will have local control. When a school wants to enter a girl in an IHSA boys state series tournament, the following policy applies.

A member school may enter a girl in the IHSA boys athletic state tournament series when:

1. The only team in the sport offered at the school is a boys' team;
    
2. The girl(s) has participated on that particular boys team during the regular season and; 3. The member school has secured a "Letter of Verification" from the Illinois State Board of Education indicating that the school is in compliance with the Illinois Sex Equity Rules.

III. Process

A school must request a letter of verification from the ISBE in order for a girl to participate on a boys team in the IHSA State Series.

To obtain a letter of verification from ISBE, the official school representative must complete a 3-step process. The ISBE is the controlling agency for this process, therefore the request forms are accessed through the ISBE website. A school can access their link through the equity center at www.ihsa.org/equity.

The self-assessment is good for 4 school years. If your school has NOT completed the assessment within that time, then the following process must be followed.

1. Complete Form B, Step 1of the" Request for a Girl to Participate on a Boys Team"; 

2. Complete Form B Step 2 of the "Request for a Girl to Participate on a Boys Team"; this form includes the actual self-assessment criteria. 

3. Complete the Form B step 3 of the "Request for a Girl to Participate on a Boys Team". 

4. Send all forms to the ISBE. 

5. The ISBE will act on your request and subsequently they will acknowledge your schools compliance status with the Illinois Sex Equity Rules (23 Illinois Administrative Code 200) Section 200.80 Extracurricular Program and Activities. This letter will make eligible the girl for participation in the IHSA state series on the boy's team. 

6. A copy of that letter will also be sent to the IHSA by the ISBE.

The self-assessment is good for 4 school years. If your school has been granted permission for a girl to participate on a boys team within the last 4 years, then your past self-assessment may be used. The following process for a school that has completed a self-assessment within 4 school years is as follows:

1. Complete Form A, Step 1of the" Request for a Girl to Participate on a Boys Team"; 

2. Complete Form A Step 2 of the "Request for a Girl to Participate on a Boys Team"; this form includes the actual self-assessment criteria. 

3. Complete the Form A step 3 of the "Request for a Girl to Participate on a Boys Team". 

4. Send all forms to the ISBE. 

5. The ISBE will act on your request and subsequently they will acknowledge your schools compliance status with the Illinois Sex Equity Rules (23 Illinois Administrative Code 200) Section 200.80 Extracurricular Program and Activities. This letter will make eligible the girl for participation in the IHSA state series on the boy's team. 

6. A copy of that letter will also be sent to the IHSA by the ISBE.

Late Request Conditions

 If a request is late and the report cannot be filed prior to the start of the state series, the state Board of Education will conditionally allow participation provided the school agrees to submit the report within the school year. If the report is not submitted by the next school year, then the school will not be granted permission for any girl to compete in any IHSA boys state tournament series.

Where To Send Your Request For Permission: Eric Thatcher Illinois State Board of Education Accountability Division 100 North First Street Springfield, Illinois 62777 Phone: (217) 782-2948 Fax: (217) 524-8750

IV. Penalty

If a school does not request permission through the ISBE for a girl to participate on a boy's team, then the girl(s) is excluded from the IHSA boys tournament state series.

Illustrations of Policy

Boys on Girls Team 

1.Q. Is there any state series in which a boy may compete in the girl's tournament?  A. No. A member school will not be permitted to enter a boy in an IHSA girls state tournament series in any sport.

Girls on Boys Team 

2. Q. Can a girl participate on a boys' team if she was not a member of the boy's team during the school year?  A. No.

3. Q. Can a girl, who has participated on the boys' team during the regular season, compete in the boys state series instead of the girls state series.  A.Yes. If a member school offers a boys' team but no girls team in a sport in which the IHSA sponsors both a boys and a girls state tournament series, and in which students may compete for individual honors, the school will be permitted to enter a girl in the boys state tournament series provided she has participated on the boys team in that sport during the regular season

4. Q. Can a girl who has participated on the boys team during the regular season, opt to compete in the girls state series instead?  A.Yes. The school may elect to enter the girl to compete for individual honors in the IHSA girls state tournament series in that sport. However, a school will not be permitted to enter a girl in both the IHSA boys and girls state tournament series in that sport.

Split Seasons 

5. Q. Can a girl who is participating on the boys team during the season also compete in a girl meet or contests? A. No. By competing in a girl's meet or contest, that school has established a girl's season and therefore she would not longer be eligible to compete for the boy's team.

6. Q. If a member school offers both a boy's team and a girl's team in the same sport but in different seasons, can the girl participate on the boy's team? A. No, that school will be permitted to enter a girl in the IHSA girls state tournament series only in that sport, even though the boys and girls tournaments may occur in different seasons.

Lack of Either Program 

7. Q. If a member school does not offer a boys team or a girls team in a sport in which the IHSA sponsors both a boys and a girls state tournament series, and if there is an option to compete for individual honors, can a girl enter the boys state series?  A. No, the school will be permitted to enter a girl in the girls state tournament series only.

8. Q. If a member school offers a girls team but no boys team in a sport in which the IHSA sponsors both a boys and a girls state tournament series, can the school enter a girl in the boys state series. A.  No, the school will be permitted to enter a girl in the girls state tournament series only.

Single Sport Programs 

9.Q. Can a girl participate on the baseball team if a softball team is offered at the school?  A.Yes.

10.Q. If a member school does not offer a boys team in a sport in which the IHSA sponsors only a boys state tournament series and in which students may compete for individual honors, will the school be permitted to enter a girl in the IHSA boys state tournament series in that sport.  A.Yes.

Regular Season Participation Limitation 

11.Q. During the regular season, does this policy apply?  A. During the regular season, local school districts will need to make that determination based on the Illinois Sex Equity Policy and Title IX. Our policy applies to the IHSA state series only.

12.Q. Can a girl who has entered the girls state series but is participating on the boy's team during the regular season; play in the girl's conference championship?  A. Maybe. Once a girl participates in a girls contest, the school has established a girls season and therefore she must cease participation with the boys team. If the conference meet is the last meet she will play in before the girls state series, then she could participate in the conference meet and any other girls contests before the state series.

13. Q. Can a girl who competes in the girls season, participate in a practice with the boys team if both the boys and girls seasons are the same? A. Yes, provided both programs are in the same season.  No, if the programs are in different seasons as is the case for example, in tennis, swimming, soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics.

Historical Perspective

Since the 1974-75 school year, when Dixon High School won the IHSA Girls State Bowling Tournament with a team composed of four boys and one girl, the IHSA in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Office of Civil Rights develop the affirmative action policy. To date, the IHSA Terms and Conditions for all athletic state tournament series include a provision that only girls may participate in the girls state series.

The affirmative action policy was established in 1987 from the encouragement of the Joint Committee of the General Assembly. Subsequently in 1988 a special Blue Ribbon Committee addressed the issue of affirmative action. The committee based the IHSA affirmative action policy on the following eighteen beliefs. The policy throughout the years has been legally challenged and upheld.

IHSA believes: 

1. In the overall philosophy and goal to provide separate but comparable athletic opportunities for girls.

2. That in some instances, we must recognize the small school's problems in trying to furnish two teams, one for girls and one for boys, in a sport.

3. That there should be specific provisions by which the immediate needs of an individual girl, lacking available opportunities to participate in given sports, may be accommodated.

4. Because the Affirmative Action Policy will achieve more and sacrifice less in the process it will be more effective and will accomplish vastly more on behalf of female student-athletes in the schools of Illinois than any remedies litigation and/or additional legislation can offer.

5. Separate but comparable programs of athletic competition for high school girls and boys are beneficial to both sexes.

6. That many female student-athletes who have the ability and are willing to pay the price in terms of long hours of practice and adherence to academic eligibility standards have not been able to participate on an athletic team representing their school.

7. That schools that fail to initiate or expand girls athletic programs prevent equitable and comparable athletic opportunities for girls.

8. That if girls competed against boys in athletic competition, some girls might be able to beat some boys some of the time, but most boys will be able to beat most girls most of the time. Therefore, girls generally would be eliminated from a school sports program if competition for team membership were open to both boys and girls. The exceptionally talented girl could perhaps survive - and may even surpass some boys in isolated cases. But the physical and competitive needs of the vast majority of girls could not be satisfied by joint membership of boys and girls on the same team.

9. It is important that educators and school administrators have the freedom to prescribe the policies that best serve the needs of some boys and girls in the IHSA member high schools of Illinois. State laws and litigation, which may be well meaning but perhaps focused on a special vested interest or an isolated instance, should be last resort measures to rectify a problem caused by an inappropriate rule or policy.

10. Parameters to permit boys to compete on girls interscholastic athletic teams as well as to permit girls to participate on boys teams would cause irreparable harm to existing and future girls athletic programs in IHSA member schools by allowing boys to replace girls on school athletic teams, especially those in sports in which boys teams are not regularly maintained (i.e., badminton, softball, volleyball, etc.). Further, schools would not be motivated to provide equal and comparable interscholastic athletic programs for girls as well as boys if they could simply accommodate an occasional girl who was sufficiently skilled in a sport to qualify as a member of a boy's team. Participation opportunities for girls would suffer greatly under such circumstances. We are committed, instead, to promoting and fostering equitable and comparable opportunities for girls in interscholastic athletics and we are convinced the provisions of the IHSA Affirmative Action Policy effectively accomplish this goal.

11. To permit participation on a team by only a given percentage of student-athletes of the opposite sex of students for which the school team is intended would still be a discriminating factor. One boy, as a pitcher on a girl's softball team, for example, could readily dominate and change the outcome of a girl's softball game.

12. Being named in the School Code of the State of Illinois as an organization to be specifically consulted, the Illinois High School Association has worked very closely with the Illinois State Board of Education and the General Assembly in the promulgation and implementation of the initial Sex Equity Guidelines and the current Illinois Sex Equity Rules. We believe this specifically appointed role for the Illinois High School Association presents the Association with a compelling governmental interest in making sure that girls have equal access to the athletic state tournament series sponsored by the IHSA.

13. The Illinois Sex Equity Rules, as well as Title IX, require each school to have a written sex equity policy and a written grievance procedure whereby a female student-athlete may pursue complaints of discrimination on the basis of sex in the interscholastic athletic programs offered by a school system. The required grievance procedure must be reasonably communicated to the students and parents in a school system and must provide for an appeal process through the Regional Superintendent to the State Superintendent of Education. We are convinced that if Title IX, the Illinois Sex Equity Rules and the administrative remedies they prescribe are properly implemented and administered; costly and unnecessary litigation on behalf of a female student-athlete in the area of sex discrimination would be virtually eliminated.

14. We believe separate but comparable programs of athletic competition for high school girls and boys are beneficial to both sexes. In the context of this philosophy IHSA has established thirteen athletic state tournaments for girls to provide parity with the fourteen state tournaments the Association currently offers for boys. In addition, IHSA policy provides that when adding or deleting a new state series, equity will be part of the consideration.

15. We believe that unfortunately many female student-athletes who have the ability and are willing to pay the price in terms of long hours of practice and adherence to academic eligibility standards may not be able to participate on an athletic team representing their school. Many schools have been unduly slow to initiate or expand girls athletic programs and thereby might not be complying with the mandates put forth in federal and state laws, specifically Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Illinois Sex Equity Rules of the School Code of the State of Illinois. Even greater denial of equal and comparable opportunities to female athletes may be caused by participation by girls on boys teams where the school does not offer a girls team in a sport. This practice could curtail the establishment of overall equitable and comparable athletic opportunities for girls to participate in school athletic programs.

16. On the basis of the results of their student athletic interest surveys required by both Title IX and the Illinois Sex Equity Rules, schools must allocate funds, facilities, equipment and personnel to girl's athletics on the basis of the number of participants, squads and contests. Schools should be encouraging the growth of an emerging girls program while striving for the continued good health of the boys program. Girl's athletic teams should be given no more or no less consideration than boy's teams.

17. It cannot be denied that if girls competed against boys in athletic competition, some girls might be able to beat some boys some of the time, but most boys will be able to beat most girls most of the time. It must then follow that girls generally would be eliminated from a school sports program if competition for team membership were open to both boys and girls. The exceptionally talented girl could perhaps survive - and may even surpass some boys in isolated cases. But the physical and competitive needs of the vast majority of girls could not be satisfied by joint membership of boys and girls on the same team.

18. The IHSA has cooperated fully with the Office for Civil Rights in making sure the sports season limitations and the rules and regulations governing interscholastic athletic competition for boys and girls in IHSA member schools are in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

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