"Do What's Right!"
2008-09 Student Advisory Committee

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce the members of its inaugural Student Advisory Committee (SAC). The formation of a SAC committee was approved by the IHSA Board of Directors in June, 2007 and is a component of the IHSA’s Do What’s Right! Sportsmanship Program.

"We are excited to have a group of students who have displayed exemplary leadership skills as a part of the SAC," said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Beth Sauser. "They will have the opportunity to voice the perspectives of students on many of the important issues we face."

The SAC is made up of 21 students from around the state, as the group was selected under a criterion set to form a committee with a group of students diversified by gender, ethnicity and school size. The group features 12 female students, nine male students and provides representation from each of the IHSA’s 21 legislative districts. The 13 juniors who were selected will serve two-year terms on the committee, while the eight sophomores will serve three-year terms.

"Illinois is a large, diverse state," added Sauser. "It was very important to have a representative from each district on the SAC since these student not only represent their schools, they represent their entire regions."

Every IHSA member school was eligible to nominate one sophomore or junior male student and one sophomore or junior female student. The 21 students were selected by a six-person panel that was made up of three Principals and three Athletic Directors from around the state. Demonstrating leadership, commitment to sportsmanship and involvement in at least two IHSA sports or activities were a few of the qualities sought out by the selection team.

"We had a very impressive pool of applicants that came from small, medium and large schools," said SAC selection committee member and Oswego (East) Principal Dr. Jeff Craig. "We wanted to find kids who were taking advantage of the whole high school experience. Not only filling their time by being involved, but by taking an active leadership role within their sports and activities."

The SAC will serve as a liaison between students, administrators, the IHSA Staff and the IHSA Board of Directors. The SAC promotes the ideals of the IHSA, including leadership, sportsmanship and integrity. The SAC is held its first meeting at the IHSA Office in Bloomington on Sunday, February 8 and will tentatively hold three more meetings during the school year, with a culminating Student Leadership Conference slated for July.

Alyssa Baumann, a Granite City High School junior who participates on her school’s Scholastic Bowl team in addition to playing four sports (basketball, soccer, swimming, volleyball), talked about being selected to the SAC, "I’m excited and honored to be chosen to the IHSA Student Advisory Committee. I am looking forward to working with other members of the committee and looking at issues that impact students around the state today. I hope my opinions and input will make a difference."

A complete list of the IHSA Student Advisory Committee is listed below: