The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for their regularly scheduled
meeting at the IHSA offices in Bloomington on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, where they approved the promotion of Tracie (Brown) Henry from her current role as Coordinator of Special Programs to the position of Assistant Executive Director, effective on July 1.
“I am humbled and incredibly appreciative to Dr. Hickman and the IHSA Board of Directors for allowing me this opportunity,” said Henry. “I am a part of a great team here at the IHSA and will continue to work hard on behalf of our member school administrators, coaches and students.”
Henry joined the IHSA staff as the Coordinator of Special Programs in August, 2010 and her current responsibilities include Sanctioning, Online Rules Presentations, Wheelchair Basketball, Three-Point Showdown and the March Madness Experience. She has also been actively involved in the inaugural IHSA Dance State Series and will serve as the administrator of the event when it debuts in the winter 2013.
“We knew we were fortunate to add someone of Tracie’s talents to our staff in 2010,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “She has met and exceeded our expectations thus far and earned her new title. The leadership she has shown in navigating the inaugural Dance State Series has been exemplary, and I look forward to seeing all of the positive contributions she will make in her new role.”
A 2001 graduate of Stillman Valley High School, Henry was a three-sport athlete lettering in volleyball, basketball and soccer. The 2001 Stillman Valley Female Athlete of the year graduated from Illinois State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education and then earned her Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Illinois State University in 2008.
“I have come full circle from a student-athlete at a member school to working as an administrator at the IHSA,” added Henry. “The experiences and life lessons from my time participating at Stillman Valley are on display every day in my work. I am proud to now be in a position to try and help other students enjoy the same types of positive experiences I was so fortunate to have.”
Henry came to the IHSA staff from the Illinois State University Athletic Department. She was the Director of Events and Game Operations from 2005-2008 where she served as the IHSA Tournament Manager for the Girls Basketball and Girls Volleyball State Finals. In 2005, she was the Tournament Site Manager for the inaugural IHSA Cheerleading State Finals. In 2008, Henry was promoted to the Director of Special Events/Development for Redbird Athletics and she worked in that capacity until she joined the IHSA staff in 2010.
Henry currently serves on the Parks and Recreation Administration Advisory Council for Illinois State University, is on the planning committee for the Baby Fold Festival of Trees Opening Night Committee, volunteers for the Miracle League and teaches Leisure & Recreation at Heartland Community College.
ACTION ITEMS
1. The Board granted permission for Atwood (A.-Hammond) and Bement to dissolve its Cooperative Teams in Girls Basketball, Boys Track & Field and Girls Track & Field after one year due to a potential reorganization between Atwood (A.-Hammond) and Arthur (H.S) that will be voted on later this year.
2. The Board approved a recommendation to authorize the Executive Director to appoint member school Athletic Directors to serve as Tellers for IHSA Nominations, Elections and Proposals during the 2012-13 school year.
3. The Board approved a recommendation to reemploy the Associate Executive Director and Assistant Executive Directors.
ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Hinsdale (Central). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 2.041 and 3.101.
2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Lake Forest (H.S.). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040.
3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from LaGrange (Lyons). The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-laws 3.030 and 3.040.
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 April 17, 2012, agenda:
1. Wauconda High School principal and IHSA Board member Dan Klett provided an update on the first meeting of the IHSA’s Ad Hoc Committee that is convening to evaluate opportunities for student-athletes with disabilities. Klett is the chair of the committee, which includes seven other administrators from high schools around the state.
2. The Executive Director discussed the State Final bids for the football and dance state finals. The Board will be asked to accept a bid for each at its meeting on June 11. Bids have been submitted for the following sites:
Dance
BMO Harris Bank Center (Rockford)
i Wireless Center (Moline)
Prairie Capital Convention Center (Springfield)
Sears Centre (Hoffman Estates)
U.S. Cellular Coliseum (Bloomington)
Football
Illinois State University (Normal)
Northern Illinois University (DeKalb)
Southern Illinois University (Carbondale)
3. Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson presented the winter results for the IHSA Performance-Enhancing Substance Testing Program. From December 1 through April 1, 182 student-athletes from 18 member schools were tested, with zero positive test results. A total of 468 student-athletes from 45 member schools have been tested this school year, with zero positive test results.
4. The Executive Director provided an update on the 2012 NFHS Summer Meeting.
5. The Executive Director will represent the IHSA at the upcoming NFHS Legal Meeting and the CSIET Board of Directors Meeting. The IHSA will also be represented by staff members at the upcoming IASA and IADA conferences.