IHSA Announces 2020-21 Officials of the Year

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce its 2020-21 Officials of the Year in 22 IHSA sports.

To be considered for this honor, an official must first be nominated by an Officials Association recognized by the IHSA. IHSA staff members then vote on the winners based on factors such as character, skill as an official, and levels worked in the IHSA State Series.
The IHSA Officials of the Year are traditionally honored at a banquet during the IHSA Officials Conference each July. The 2020 IHSA Officials Conference was moved to a virtual format due to the pandemic. The IHSA will announce its plans for the 2021 conference format in the near future.

"There was never a question of whether or not we would continue awarding this honor in 2020-21 despite the impact that the pandemic has had on IHSA sports and officiating," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "Our officials give back so much to our student-athletes and there are so many individuals deserving of this honor, we could not be prouder to recognize these amazing officials. We know that they miss officiating just as much as the students and coaches miss participating.

"We are optimistic that we will have an abundance of opportunities for IHSA officials to work contests and meets in the very near future, and we will need them all now more than ever. Each IHSA official will need to make personal decisions that are best for them and their families. We look forward to welcoming them back when they are ready to officiate, and hope in the meantime, some new individuals might step out of the stands and try their hand at this fulfilling vocation.”

                         IHSA OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR

Sport                                  Official of the Year        Hometown

Boys Soccer                          John Vargo                   Belleville

Girls Soccer                           Jay Weis                       Deerfield

Football                                  Tom Hug                        Joliet

Boys Basketball                     Kevin Senor                   Plainfield

Girls Basketball                      Kim Poulter                    Chicago

Boys Lacrosse                       John Vetter                    Carpentersville

Girls Lacrosse                        Rogelio Ranay               Bolingbrook

Baseball                                  Michael Wiley                Williamsville

Softball                                    Travis Pate                    Greenville

Girls Volleyball                        William Beaty Sr.           Divernon

Boys Volleyball                       Jonathan Heldmann       Bolingbrook

Boys Swimming & Diving        Mike Howard                 Beach Park

Girls Swimming & Diving         Gwen Van Steen           Woodstock

Water Polo                               Matthew Hochstein        Barrington

Cross Country                         Scott Erwin                     DeKalb

Boys Track & Field                  Steven Kessler               Vernon Hills

Girls Track & Field                   Ben Guyot                      Sullivan

Wrestling                                 Shane Morgan               Oswego

Boys Gymnastics                    Keith Mukai                    Des Plaines

Girls Gymnastics                     Jackie Moravik              Somonauk

Competitive Cheer                    Ashley Schwenk           Gibson City

Competitive Dance                   Linnea Mason               Chicago