IHSA

How the IHSA is Organized

Last updated: September 22, 2005

Any public or private school in Illinois, recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, may become a member of IHSA. Membership is voluntary and renewable annually. Upon establishing membership, each school adopts and agrees to abide by the IHSA Constitution and By-laws, which have been approved by majority vote of the membership.

The IHSA promotes and supervises interscholastic athletic and activities programs and provides service to the students of Illinois and the member schools they attend through the following administrative structure:

The Board of Directors consists of ten (10) principals elected to three-year terms from seven (7) geographic divisions. The three at-large seats will also be occupied by high school principals, one of which will be a member of a racial minority, one a member of the underrepresented gender (female) and one representing private member schools. The Board of Directors also has a Treasurer who is a non-voting member appointed by the Board from time to time.

The Board of Directors determines IHSA policy, interprets the rules and employs an Executive Director and staff to aid in administering the programs of IHSA.

Providing official liaison representatives to the Board of Directors are the following organizations:
- Illinois General Assembly
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB)
- Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA)
- Illinois Athletic Directors Association (IADA)
The Legislative Commission is a 35-member body, consisting of twenty-one (21) principals, seven (7) athletic directors elected to three-year terms from geographic areas of the state and seven (7) at-large seats occupied by racial minorities and females who are either principals, official representatives, athletic administrators or activity directors at member schools.

The Legislative Commission functions as the IHSA's screening committee for proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws. Meeting annually (or when called into special session), the Legislative Commission considers each and every proposed change in the Constitution and By-laws. Proposals receiving majority support in the Commission are then submitted to all member schools in a referendum. Regular annual voting takes place in the fall. Each member school has one vote. Proposals are adopted if approved by a simple majority of votes cast.
Athletic Advisory Committees play a vital role in the development of each of the 41 athletic state tournament series conducted by the IHSA, as well as in the relationship of all the programs to the total structure of IHSA. The advisory committees are composed of principals, athletic directors, activity directors, coaches and officials. These committees meet with administrative staff yearly to review and recommend changes in each of their respective athletic activities.

Advisory Committees are organized for the following sports:
Activity Advisory Committees are also maintained to provide advice and guidance to the IHSA for the nine non-athletic state tournament series conducted by IHSA. These Committees involve coaches or directors in the respective activities, along with principals and activities directors.

Advisory Committees are organized for the following activities:
The Athletic Administrators Advisory Committee, which meets several times a year, reviews all recommendations from the different sport advisory committees and, in turn, reviews and makes recommendations concerning the relationship of the athletic activities to the total interscholastic program.
The News Media Advisory Committee, composed of school personnel and representatives from the various communications media also functions regarding the total interscholastic program. Its goal is to guide the IHSA in communicating the story of interscholastic athletics and activities to the public through the public media, and to advise the IHSA in aspects of marketing and merchandising.
The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee is composed of physicians, trainers and school personnel. It functions as a resource relative to issues of health and safety to interscholastic participants, both in IHSA-sponsored state series events and throughout the regular sports seasons in the member schools.
The Sportsmanship Advisory Committee, is composed of educators, students, athletic officials and representatives from Illinois school organizations. Its function is to set both short and long term plans to make sportsmanship and ethical behavior in interscholastics recognized, rewarded and encouraged.
The Athletic Officials Advisory Committee is composed of people who officiate the different athletic contests and meets. It is the vehicle through which sports playing rules changes, training and recruitment of officials and game/meet procedures are reviewed.
Equity Advisory Committee