IHSA Mourns The Loss of Former Administrator Ron McGraw

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Published on October 16 2023 12:36 pm
Last Updated on October 16 2023 12:36 pm
Written by Millie Lange


Ron McGraw, who dedicated his life to enriching young people, first as a high school teacher, coach, and administrator before spending 12 years on the IHSA staff, passed away on October 13, 2023, at the age of 66 following a courageous battle with cancer.

McGraw retired from the IHSA staff after the 2015-16 year.McGraw retired from the IHSA staff after the 2015-16 year.

He was a member of the IHSA Board of Directors (2001-2004) during his time as the principal at Knoxville High School, before being hired to join the IHSA staff at the beginning of the 2004-05 school year. McGraw has served as the administrator for Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Swimming & Diving, Boys and Girls Track & Field and Scholastic Bowl for the entirety of his tenure.

McGraw was the administrator charged with facilitating three of the IHSA’s largest state final events in cross country, swimming & diving and track & field. Over 8,000 student-athletes participated in those three state final events alone last year. In 2007, he helped to develop the competition schedule when the IHSA Cross Country State Series expanded from two classes to three classes, and repeated that task when track followed suit in 2009. Additionally, McGraw spearheaded the scheduling integration efforts for the IHSA’s Athletes With Disabilities programs at the state swimming and track & field finals when those programs began in 2012. He remains proud of several changes that occurred under his direction, including Fully Automated Timing usage at all Sectional track meets, the development of a State Series hosting rotation in his sports, and the systems developed to determine state final qualifying standards for both swimming & diving and track & field.

McGraw began his career in education as a teacher and coach at Sherrard High School, where he coached golf, football, and wrestling during a seven-year tenure. He then moved on to become the Athletic Director and Dean of Students at Monmouth High School. Three years later he was hired as the principal at Knoxville High School, a title he held for a decade before joining the IHSA.

A native of Oneida, Illinois, McGraw graduated from ROWVA High School before earning his associate degree from Morrison Institute of Technology. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree and two Master’s Degrees from Western Illinois University.

Ron was hopelessly devoted to his family and leaves behind his wife Rosemary, daughter Mallory and son-in-law Mark, son Mike and daughter-in-law Jenny, and three grandchildren Laney, Callum, and Oliver along with so many other family and friends who mourn his loss.

Information on any public remembrance will be shared by the IHSA when known. If you knew or worked with Ron and would like to add a tribute, please send to mtroha@ihsa.org