IHSA Approves Swimming State Final At FMC Natatorium

The three-year extension will encompass the state final meets during the 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 school terms.

“FMC Natatorium is a first-class facility that has elevated the experience of the student-athletes, coaches, and fans participating in the IHSA Boys and Girls Swimming & Diving State Finals,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We are thrilled to extend this relationship and look forward to continuing to work together to create lifelong memories for the participants.”

Featuring an Olympic-size competition pool, FMC Natatorium opened in 2020 and is one of the premier facilities of its kind in the Midwest. The venue first hosted the IHSA State Finals during the 2021-22 school term, with Hinsdale Central High School and Hinsdale South High School continuing to serve as co-hosts.

FMC Natatorium is a state-of-the-art venue that features spectator seating for 1,400, a deck capacity of 800, warm-up and cool down pools, and a video scoreboard with an integrated timing system.

ACTION

1. The Board approved an amendment to the contract of the IHSA’s digital ticketing partner, GoFan, to extend the partnership for five years.

2. The Board approved a recommendation to approve the adoption of a new pricing structure for IHSA schools using TrackWrestling.

3. The Board approved a recommendation to change the IHSA Fall Sports entry deadline to the Monday of Week 8 in the standard IHSA calendar (August 26 in 2024).

4. The Board approved a dissolution of coops for the following schools/sports:
       -Joliet Central High School and Joliet West High School| Girls Wrestling
       -Eldorado High School and Galatia High School | Boys Track & Field   
       -Monmouth-Roseville High School and West Central High School | Girls Swimming & Diving

7. The Board approved language updates to IHSA Policy 33 – IHSA Member School Publicity Policy.

8. The Board approved a recommendation to provide an eligibility accommodation for a student transferring from Aquin High School to another high school that was a part of a coop with Aquin, as a tuition paying student, following the closing of Aquin at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

9. The Board approved a recommendation to raise the pay of individuals serving in Coordinator of Officials roles at IHSA State Finals to $175 per day.

APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a former student from Highland Park High School. The student was seeking an exemption to participate in practice while completing a transition program at True North Educational Cooperative 804. 

2. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Charles North High School. The student was granted limited (non-varsity) eligibility.

3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Loyola Academy in Wilmette. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Benet Academy in Lisle. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

5. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Chicago International Charter School-Northtown Academy in Chicago. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

6. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Francis High School in Wheaton. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action was taken or action may not be required. The following is a report of those items from the August 26, 2024, agenda:

1. The Board discussed the openings on the IHSA Board of Directors entering the election cycle this fall. The IHSA will have five total Board seats up for election, including two At-Large seats, as well as the seats in Division 1, Division 5, and Division 7.

2. IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacey Lambert provided an update on concussion reporting numbers for the 2023-24 school year.

3. IHSA Coordinator of Officials Kurt Gibson provided a report on the 25th Annual Officials Conference that was held in Normal in July.

4. The Board heard a report on the IHSA extending its partnership with Officially Human.

5. The Board reviewed and discussed a letter from the Superintendents in the South Suburban Conference related to by-law violation penalties during the 2023-24 school year.

6. The Board reviewed and discussed a request from Englewood STEM High School to review its IHSA classification.

7. The Board heard a report on the InSideOut Coaching initiative sessions that will be held in Bloomington and Chicago on September 10-11, thanks in part to support from the NFL and Chicago Bears. 

8. The Board heard a report on the 2024 IHSA All-School Mailing. If any member school has not received their mailing, they should contact the IHSA office.

9. The Board heard a report on the IHSA Girls Tennis State Finals. Due to construction at Buffalo Grove High School, Hersey High School will serve as the host site of the 2024 Girls Tennis State Finals.