IHSA Invites Pritzker, IDPH To Talk Hoops At Next Meeting

BLOOMINGTON, IL — Last month, the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors voted to proceed with a high school basketball season despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker saying it was on hold due to a rising number of coronavirus cases in the state. With practices scheduled to start Monday and coronavirus cases reaching record numbers, only a handful of schools in the state have indicated they'll be playing basketball without the blessing of Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In an effort to "create dialogue" between the various entities, the IHSA announced Wednesday it has invited Pritzker and representatives from the IDPH to its next board meeting on Nov. 19. The IHSA said it will also be seeking representation at the meeting from the Illinois Principals Association, Illinois Association of School Administrators, Illinois State Board of Education and a coalition of nearly 200 school superintendents who recently contacted the Governor regarding school sports during the 2020-21 school year.

"The Board's decision to move forward with the IHSA basketball season was not meant to be adversarial. It was rooted in a desire to receive more direct communication and data from our state partners," IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement. "They hope all the groups will see the mutual benefit of increased discourse and be represented at the meeting on Nov. 19."

IHSA Defies Pritzker, Basketball Set To Start On Time

Last week, the Chicago Sun-Times reported less than 10 schools in the state have indicated they will be playing basketball and the entire Chicago Public High School League has opted out.

The IHSA Board held a virtual update session Wednesday to review any developments regarding basketball. The IHSA said schools who plan to begin basketball practice on Monday should adhere to the Level 1 mitigations from the IDPH All Sports Policy until at least Nov. 19. The board cited rising coronavirus cases in the state and a recent membership survey for this recommendation in making its decision.

The board also revealed that among the 546 schools who responded to the survey (IHSA has 813 member schools), nearly 300 schools do not plan to start basketball on Monday and another 212 schools remain unsure of their status.

"The Board recognizes the difficult decisions they have placed on member schools regarding basketball," Anderson said. "With a limited number of schools set to begin their season on November 16, they believe it is prudent to adhere to IDPH guidance as they work with state officials to gain greater clarity on the metrics and mitigations required to conduct certain high school sports throughout the remainder of the 2020-21 school year."

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