Postseason Plan For Fall Sports Finalized: IHSA

BLOOMINGTON, IL — With the fall high school sports season in full swing, it was important for the Illinois High School Association to solidify plans for an abbreviated postseason in October. The IHSA Board of Directors met virtually Monday to do just that. Modified postseason state series tournaments in boys and girls golf, boys and girls cross-country, girls swimming and diving, and girls tennis were all approved.

The approved plan will allow for a single round of regional geographic competition to be conducted the week of Oct. 19-25, with the majority of the events expected to be held on Saturday, Oct. 24.

"The health and safety of the student-athletes, their coaches, and their school communities has been our priority from the start of the pandemic," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson in a statement. "Throughout the spring and summer, we looked for ways to reengage student-athletes with their peers and coaches, and our membership has shared countless positive experiences from that initial 'return to play' period. We have found similar value in being able to conduct fall sports, and believe the participants deserve a culminating experience if we can offer it safely."

The IHSA State Series tournaments will meet all Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines as it relates to COVID-19, according to a release. The IHSA will be finalizing and releasing details for each fall state series tournament in the coming weeks, including dates, schedules, awards, structure, and additional safety precautions.

In conjunction with the modified fall state series, the Board also approved a $100 state series entry fee for any school entering a team or individual in any of the fall sports.

"The IHSA office is charged with the responsibility of being a good steward of the Association’s finances," Anderson said. "The past few months have seen a significant reduction in the IHSA's income, given the cancellation of the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals and the entire spring season. Financial challenges remain on the horizon in 2020-21 due to the limited number of sports currently classified as 'low risk' by the state, making the chances of conducting full state series tournaments unlikely at this time. "

The IHSA By-laws allow the Board of Directors the discretion to implement entry fees into IHSA State Series tournaments. The IHSA last charged a tournament entry fees in 2004-05.

"An overwhelming number of school administrators supported the fees in recent surveys," Anderson said. "Not charging entry fees has been a point of pride for the IHSA. We are humbled by the support of our member schools during this difficult time, and appreciative of their support."

The Board will continue to look at the postseason options by sport and season as the school year progresses, so they can accurately gauge the allowable IDPH options and most current COVID-19 data, according to the release.

"Interscholastic sports, like the IHSA and IESA, have rightfully followed stricter return to play guidance than non-school events since the start of the summer," Anderson said. "While we understand and appreciate the frustration felt by high school coaches due to the stricter guidance, we also recognize the need for that added guidance, even though it may create more challenges for us. There is a responsibility that exists within the school setting to create a safer environment for the community as a whole, while non-school competitions are often conducted without any standardized safety protocols."

Related:
IDPH Approves IHSA Modified Sports Plan
IHSA Releases Sport-Specific Guidelines For Fall Athletics
Pritzker Places Restrictions On Youth Sports, IHSA Responds