IHSA hopeful of spring season despite extension of coronavirus stay-at-home order
Illinois High School Association Executive Director Craig Anderson said Wednesday he is still optimistic a spring season that culminates with IHSA State Series tournaments in June can still take place.
Anderson’s announcement comes one day after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker extended the state’s stay-at-home order and that schools will remain closed through April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“First and foremost, the IHSA continues to encourage all Illinois residents to heed the recommendations of state officials and medical experts. These quarantine and social distancing measures have been put in place not only for your own safety, but also for those around you,” Anderson said.
“By adhering to them, we ensure the shortest path to returning to normalcy, including physical school attendance and participation in high school sports and activities.
“Even though Illinois schools will remain closed through April 30th following the March 31st announcement by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, we remain optimistic that a May 1 return to school, followed by a to-be-determined acclimatization practice period, can still result in a truncated spring season that culminates with IHSA State Series tournaments and the crowning of state champions in June.”
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, IHSA officials canceled the remainder of the boys basketball playoffs March 12. The decision ended the state championship dreams of Madison (Class 1A), Mater Dei (2A), East St. Louis (3A) and Collinsville (4A).
East St. Louis was the defending Class 3A state champions.
IHSA state finals were held in boys and girls bowling and wrestling in February with the Class 1A-2A (Feb. 28-29) and Class 3A-4A (March 6-7) girls state basketball tournaments taking place at Redbird Arena in Normal.
Anderson’s statement of hope that part of the spring season could still happen is good news for high school athletes, coaches and administrators around the state.
“I am entirely supportive of the IHSA and their continued efforts to provide some sort of season to our spring athletes. So many people have begun to close doors and I sincerely appreciate the IHSA continuing to prepare to salvage a season if at all possible,” Mascoutah Athletic Director Scott Battas said. “There are a number of scenarios at this point, but whatever the realm of possibilities that exist, I think we owe it to our seniors to find a way to allow them to go out with some sort of season.
“I understand we are in unprecedented times, and that sports aren’t life or death, but as we navigate through this together, it’s my hope that before we tell our coaches and athletes that we are finished, that we turn over every stone and search every avenue possible to make something happen. If at the end of the day, it’s not possible, so be it, but let’s do everything in our power to provide a platform for competition in some regard.”
Anderson also said discussions have begun involving the possibility of extending the IHSA seasons into mid-to-late June if needed.
“In its discussions thus far, the IHSA Board of Directors has been highly supportive of creating an exemption to the IHSA Season Limitation By-law to allow spring sports to play into late June, but competing into or beyond July is not being considered at this time,” Anderson said.
“We are also realistic in recognizing that any further school postponements, or the cessation of physical school attendance for the remainder of the year, will almost certainly result in the cancellation of all remaining IHSA sports and activities this school year.”
Should the situation improve enough so state tournaments can take place this spring, three local teams will have the opportunity to defend state championships.
The Edwardsville Tigers won the Class 4A state baseball championship while the East St. Louis Flyers boys and girls track and field teams won Class 2A championships last spring at O’Brien Stadium in Charleston.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 5:03 PM.
