IHSA boys basketball state tournament will have new home in 2021. It’s a familiar spot
A new era in Illinois high school boys basketball’s version of March Madness is returning to its roots.
The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors announced Monday the boys state basketball tournament is heading back to the University of Illinois in Champaign beginning with the 2021 state finals, March 11-13.
The event was previously held in Champaign-Urbana from 1919-1995. The Peoria Civic Center, which has hosted the boys state tournament since 1996, also submitted a bid to continue hosting.
The event, which will be held at State Farm Center, is also scheduled for March 10-12, 2022, and March 9-11, 2023. Beginning in 2021, all four classes will conduct their state championships on the same weekend.
“We see this as the passing of the torch from Peoria to Champaign-Urbana,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “It is bittersweet because there is incredible passion for high school basketball within these two communities, and both have done so much to elevate the state final experience as hosts.
“The State Farm Center is one of the best arenas in the country, and we are excited to crown state champions there once again. The timing simply felt right to make a change as the tournament format shifts in 2021.”
The decision to leave Peoria may be also be bittersweet for metro-east communities who have watched their teams flourish at the Civic Center in recent years. On the Carver Arena floor, Althoff (3A) won the state title in 2016, Okawville won the Class 1A title in 2018, Belleville West won back-to-back Class 4A state championships in 2018 and 2019 and East St. Louis won the Class 3A crown in 2019.
Althoff, Okawville and Nashville have had second place finishes since 2015.
“One of the best things about Peoria was being able to walk to the Arena from your hotel,’’ Althoff coach Greg Leib said. “They have been concerned about (attendance) numbers, but if the move benefits Illinois high school basketball, then I’m all for it.’’
The IHSA Board also announced the girls state tournaments will remain at Redbird Arena in Normal for the next three years. The ‘21 girls state finals are set for March 4-6.
Illinois Athletic Director thrilled with decision
The state final hosting bid was a joint proposal from the University of Illinois, the Fighting Illini Athletic Department, State Farm Center, Visit Champaign County, and the Champaign-Urbana communities.
“We are thrilled with today’s news that the Illinois High School Boys Basketball State Finals will return home to the campus of the University of Illinois,” said Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. “We are grateful to the IHSA and its leadership for choosing State Farm Center and Champaign-Urbana to host the state finals.
“We are humbled by their confidence in our community, which I know will come together to provide the players, families, and fans of the state’s best teams a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My thanks to the many people and organizations locally who collaborated on a compelling bid and proposal.’’
Among the many highlights, the bid includes interactive fan elements around the arena, city and campus marketing initiatives, a special in-arena area for parents with children, and 13 local hotels locking in three-year prices for fans below rack rate. The IHSA’s Wheelchair Basketball State Tournament and Special Olympics Illinois Unified Basketball Tournament will continue to be held in conjunction with the state tournament in Champaign-Urbana as well.
The State Farm Center is fresh off a $170 million dollar state-of-the-art renovation completed in 2016. The building has also been home to IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals each winter since 1973.
Muniz, former Maroons coach, weighs in
Former Belleville West coach Joe Muniz also has mixed feelings about the move. But he does feel, in the long run, it will be a good one for high school basketball in Illinois.
“We have a lot of great memories and we were treated exceptionally well by the people of Peoria,’’ Muniz said. “I do know from experience as a player there is not a better feeling than to walk out and play on the University of Illinois floor. There is just that special feeling because you see that floor all the time on television growing up watching Illinois basketball as a kid.
“I think it will end up being a good move for the IHSA. I hope this brings more people back to the finals. I think this is a great time to make the change as next year the IHSA will have all classes playing on the same weekend.”
IHSA basketball has ‘deep roots’ at Illinois
The IHSA will be contacting current state final season ticket holders in the near future to work with them on seating at the State Farm Center. Individuals interested in becoming new state final season ticket holders can submit their info online at https://fightingillini.com/ihsabb. The University of Illinois ticket office will follow-up with anyone who submits a season ticket inquiry form in the near future to let them know available seating, pricing and more.
“IHSA basketball has deep roots and a celebrated history on the University of Illinois campus and within the Champaign-Urbana community,” said Anderson. “It’s almost indescribable when you think of all the iconic players and coaches who were a part of the state tournament here.
“Names like Johnny Orr, Quinn Buckner, Jack Sikma, Isiah Thomas, The Three Amigos (Donnie Boyce, Sherell Ford, Michael Finley), Deon Thomas, Dick Corn, Bruce Douglas, Sonny Cox, Gordie Kerkman, Ronnie Fields, Gene Pingatore, Jay Shidler and Flying Illini like Kendall Gill, Nick Anderson and Marcus Liberty.
“I could probably name 100 more. We look forward to celebrating that history, and making new memories as America’s Original March Madness returns to Champaign-Urbana and the University of Illinois.”
IHSA Girls State Tournament to stay at Illinois State
The IHSA girls basketball state finals will remain at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal for the next three seasons.
“We are excited to continue to serve as the host for the IHSA Girls Basketball State Championships,” said ISU Director of Athletics Larry Lyons said. “Illinois State University and Illinois State Athletics have long valued their great partnership with the IHSA, and we take great pride in hosting this championship.
“It’s an honor for us to welcome the athletes, their families and spectators to campus and the Bloomington-Normal community each year and provide them with a first-class championship experience at Redbird Arena.”
The state final bid, which encompasses three seasons at the newly refurbished arena, was a joint proposal by Illinois State University, Redbird Athletics, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Bloomington-Normal communities.
“We’re honored to be awarded the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals,” said Crystal Howard, president/CEO for the BNACVB. “We are thankful for the relationship we have with the IHSA, and are appreciative of the faith they have in our organization and our community as an ideal host for their events.”
Redbird Arena has served as the host of the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals since 1992, and has also hosted the IHSA Girls Volleyball State Finals since 1990.
Director of Sports and Market Development for the BNACVB Matt Hawkins adds, “Bloomington-Normal is very experienced in hosting IHSA state finals events, and we recognize the prestige in hosting the girls basketball state finals through a competitive bid process. You will not find a better venue in the state of Illinois to host this tournament, and we look forward to welcoming the teams and their fans to our community.”
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 4:06 PM.
