The schedule for high school sports in Illinois continues to get smaller. The IHSA yesterday said it is canceling the remaining fall sports championships. That means there will be no state champs in golf, cross country, girls swimming and diving, and girls tennis. IHSA executive director Craig Anderson says there will be regional champs, but nothing beyond that. Earlier this month, the IHSA pushed other sports, including football, back to the spring.
The approved plan will allow for a single round of regional competition to be conducted the week of October 19-25, with the majority of the events expected to be held on Saturday, October 24. “The health and safety of the student-athletes, their coaches, and their school communities has been our priority from the start of the pandemic,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Throughout the spring and summer, we looked for ways to reengage student-athletes with their peers and coaches, and our membership has shared countless positive experiences from that initial ‘return to play’ period. We have found similar value in being able to conduct fall sports, and believe the participants deserve a culminating experience if we can offer it safely.” The IHSA State Series tournaments will meet all Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines as it relates to COVID-19.
Also decided at the board was moving of the IHSA Girls Softball State Finals from the Eastside Centre in East Peoria to the Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria starting this coming summer. The contract is good through 2025. The Eastside Centre in East Peoria, who has hosted the state finals since 2001, also submitted a hosting proposal along with Chicago Bandits Stadium in Rosemont, the Rantoul Family Sports Complex, and Southern Illinois University.
