IHSA Board Selects Illinois St. As Football State Final Host

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, where the Board approved a State Final hosting contract with Illinois State University (ISU) and the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (BNACVB) to host the IHSA Football State Finals at ISU’s Hancock Stadium from 2023 to 2027.

“We appreciate all of the hosting bids that we received for the IHSA Football State Finals,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Seeing the passion that these university communities have for hosting the State Finals and the amazing stadiums that each campus offers didn’t make for an easy decision. Ultimately, the first-class facilities, amazing support from Illinois State University and the Bloomington-Normal communities, and the central location proved to be the biggest factors in returning to ISU for the next five years.”

Hancock Stadium hosted the inaugural IHSA Football State Finals in 1974 and hosted over 100 IHSA Football State Championship games from 1974 to 1998 (1976 game right, 1998 below right).

"The entire Illinois State University community is ecstatic to have the IHSA Football State Finals returning to Bloomington-Normal," ISU Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said.

"Illinois State University and Illinois State Athletics have long valued their great partnership with the IHSA and take pride in our duties hosting IHSA events at our facilities. It will be a pleasure for us to welcome the student-athletes, their families and spectators to campus and the Bloomington-Normal community each year and provide them with a top-notch experience at Hancock Stadium."

Hancock Stadium underwent a $23 million dollar renovation in 2013 that included a new press box, a transformation of the east side of the stadium, new chair back seating, suites, and more stadium-wide upgrades. ISU broke ground on an indoor football practice facility adjacent to Hancock Stadium in April of 2022 that will be completed when the 2023 IHSA Football State Finals are held there on Friday and Saturday, November 24-25, 2023.

“We are delighted to be awarded the IHSA Football State Finals,” says Crystal Howard, President/CEO for the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BNACVB). “Our relationship with the IHSA continues to grow, and we appreciate the faith they have in our organization and our community as an ideal host for their events.

Thank you to the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal for their support that allows us to pursue these types of events, and to Illinois State University for partnership and enthusiasm to host this event.”

Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale each submitted bids to host the IHSA State Finals from 2023-2027. The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana submitted a bid to host in 2024, 2026, and 2028.

“This decision wasn’t made lightly, as Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois have been incredible hosts for us through the years,” said Anderson. “We have a tremendous relationship with Champaign-Urbana and look forward to returning there in a few short months for State Wrestling and Boys Basketball. Northern Illinois did an exemplary job, stepping up to host beginning in 2013 when the Big Ten schedule necessitated a hosting change in the midst of the contract with the University of Illinois.

Southern Illinois University’s facility stacks up with any other in the state as well and the area is well-known for having a deeply-rooted high school sports fanbase. The IHSA deeply values its relationships with all of these institutions and their communities.”

Only four venues have ever hosted the IHSA Football State Finals, which debuted in 1974. Hancock Stadium hosted the first six years of championship games. In 1980, the I

HSA expanded from five classes to six classes, at which point the IHSA opted to keep the 1A through 3A games at Hancock Stadium, while moving the Class 5A and Class 6A contests to Dyche Stadium on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston. This arrangement lasted from 1980 to 1984. All six classes returned to Hancock in 1985 and remained there through the 1998 state championships. The University of Illinois has hosted the State Finals since 1999, with the exception of odds years from 2013 through 2021, when the games shifted to Northern Illinois University’s campus in Dekalb.

Illinois State University currently hosts the IHSA Girls Basketball and Girls Volleyball State Finals, while the IHSA Boys Golf, Dance, Cheerleading, Journalism, Scholastic Bowl, Dual Team Wrestling, and Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals are all held in Bloomington-Normal.

ACTION ITEMS

1. The Board approved a recommendation to offer a Provisional License for IHSA Officiating. A Provisional License will be available to 15- and 16-year olds and allow them to officiate IHSA contests through the freshman (9th grade) level. The Provisional License will cost $20 or less and entry into the Provisional License program will provide a discount for the user if they choose to obtain full licensure when they turn 17 years old. More information on the Provisional License can be found by clicking here.IHSA Associate Executive Director Kurt Gibson:“The shortage of officials, both nationally and here in Illinois, has been well-chronicled. We have seen an uptick in registered officials so far in 2022-23 and hope this new Provisional License helps create even more momentum. The opportunity to get 15- and 16-year olds working lower level high school games will broaden the pool of officials in what we hope is a supportive environment that enables younger officials to build the necessary confidence to have success while wearing the stripes.”

2. The Board of Directors approved a recommendation for multiple Terms & Conditions recommendations for Esports. See all the approved items by clicking here.

3. The Board approved a recommendation to approve a program at the Illinois Math & Science Academy (IMSA) in Aurora that allows out-of-state students to enroll at the school and have immediate IHSA eligibility.

APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Urban Prep Academy/Bronzeville in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Walther Christian in Melrose Park. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Wheaton Academy in West Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Alleman High School in Rock Island. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.043.3.

5. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Benet Academy in Lisle. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040 and its sub-sections.

6. The Board overturned the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Aurora Christian. The student was initially ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040. The student has full eligibility immediately.

7. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Tremont. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.045.

8. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Tremont. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.045.

9. The Board overturned the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Rochelle Zell in Deerfield upon the review of further information. The student was initially ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.043.3. The student has full eligibility immediately.

10. The Board overturned the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Alton High School upon the review of further information. The student was initially ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030. The student has full eligibility immediately.

11. The Board overturned the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Montini Catholic High School in Lombard upon the review of additionally submitted information. The student was initially ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040. The student has full eligibility immediately.

12. The Board overturned the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Metro-East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville upon a verified change in residence by the family. The student was initially ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-laws 3.030 and 3.040. The student has full eligibility immediately.

DISCUSSION

1. Representatives from the accounting firm, Striegel Knobloch & Co LLC, presented the annual audit to the Board. The audit can be reviewed by clicking here.

2. The Board heard a report on the eight proposals moved forward to the All-School Ballot by the Legislative Commission at their second meeting on November 28. Member schools have from December 5 to December 18 to vote online. To see the eight proposals, click here.

3. The Board reviewed a letter from the administration at Richmond-Burton High School on the IHSA classification policy and multiplier. The Board held additional discussion on the topic.

4. The Board heard an update from the Executive Director on PlayVS and discussed its potential applications for the IHSA Esports State Series.  

5. The Board heard an update on future potential fundraising efforts by the Illinois High School Activities Foundation (IHSAF) in conjunction with upcoming IHSA State Final tournaments.

6. The Board heard an update on the Country Financial Teacher Spotlight program. The IHSA is seeking to recognize additional educators and IHSA coaches/advisors through this program.