Darren Kinnard
Section618.com
There figured to be several updates about the state series as well as financials from Monday’s IHSA Board of Directors meeting. Updated guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for sports added even more.
The IDPH has updated its All Sports Policy that those competing in low-risk outdoor sports and activities do not have to wear masks while competing. Baseball, softball, tennis, track and field and bass fishing are currently in-season. Those on the bench or not actively competing still must wear masks.
The IDPH is also recommending COVID-19 testing for athletes in high risk sports. The State of Illinois fill fund the optional testing for any schools that want to test their high-risk teams. The IHSA will provide member schools with state testing contacts when that information is available from IDPH. Current high-risk IHSA sports include football, boys lacrosse, and wrestling.
The Board finalized dates and locations for state series in several sports. Here is the current list:
Baseball
June 17: 1A at Illinois State University
June 17: 3A at Schaumburg Boomers
June 18: 2A at Illinois State University
June 18: 4A at Joliet Slammers
Softball
June 16: 1A/2A at Louisville Slugger in Peoria
June 17: 3A/4A at Louisville Slugger in Peoria
Track and Field (likely at Eastern Illinois University, but not official)
June 10: 1A Girls
June 11: 2A Girls
June 12: 3A Girls
June 17: 1A Boys
June 18: 2A Boys
June 19: 3A Boys
State finals in girls soccer, boys tennis, and bass fishing have not been finalized.
COVID-19 has hit the IHSA hard financially, with the organization saying it is facing a deficit of more than a million dollars. Much of the IHSA’s revenue comes from the gate receipts from postseason tournaments, which have been canceled or without fans for the past year. To help offset that deficit, the Board approved starting a three year, graduated fee schedule for schools based on enrollment.
“We have been open and transparent with our member schools about our financial standing and the cuts and freezes we have and continue to make in order to be as fiscally responsible as possible,” IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said via a release. “Our financial ad hoc committee was representative of a diverse group of schools from around the state, and they discussed a number of different budgetary options. They were unanimous in their decision that they believed the best option was the membership assessment fee structure approved today by our Board. It is important to note that the IHSA Recovery Plan will be reevaluated over the next three years. If we are able to reduce or eliminate future assessments, then we will look to do so. We remain grateful and appreciative of all the support our member schools have provided us as we have navigated the uncertainty of the past year.”
The Board also approved a recommendation from its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to reduce summer contact days from 25 to 20 for summer of 2021 only.
“Given the unusual nature of the school year, the IHSA Board and Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) felt like a modest reduction in contact days would be in the best interest of the student-athletes’ and coaches’ mental, physical, and emotional well-being,” Anders said. “With so many sports seasons being moved to the spring and summer this year, and with several overlapping, SMAC believes it is vital that we attempt to reduce the wear and tear on our athletes to reduce overuse injuries and allow them more time to recover. Many coaches have also been forced to coach multiple overlapping sports with no time off, so it is our hope that this contact day reduction will allow them to recharge as well.”