IHSA cancels spring tournaments

Mantra Dave and Olivia Plangger • Apr 21, 2020

Four-year Lady Iron soccer player Courtney Dage (’20) plays during the 2018-2019 campaign.

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors announced its decision Tuesday, April 21 to “cancel all IHSA spring state tournaments” in a statement released at noon.

Though the IHSA has made efforts to keep the slim possibility of a spring season alive, Governor J.B. Pritzker’s decision to suspend in-person schooling forced their hand, with IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson saying that the IHSA “simply felt that [they] could not conduct state tournaments that met the expectations of member schools.”

All spring state tournaments have been canceled, which include “girls badminton, boys gymnastics, bass fishing, boys and girls track and field, boys and girls water polo, girls soccer, boys tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, boys volleyball, baseball, and softball.”

“As disappointing as it may be for students, it is the right decision for their health and safety, as well as for the health and safety of the general public,” Anderson said. The IHSA was also quick to realize the impact on student-athletes, especially seniors who will not get to experience their final high school season.

In addition to spring tournaments, the IHSA also indicated that all summer contact days are canceled until further notice. When it is safe to do so, schools will receive detailed instructions on when and how many contact days will be allowed.

Communication will continue to be open and fluid, providing updates to schools as new information from the state-government is released and decisions are made.

Depending on advice from medical professionals and government leaders, the IHSA is holding out hope for spring sports teams to have the opportunity to play some regular-season matchups. However, Anderson reiterated that “is dependent on [being given] the go-ahead for such.”

“If we are able to offer this opportunity, no student-athlete would be restricted by having already practiced or competed with a nonschool team,” Anderson said, adding that “the possibility of playing a spring sport game this summer is about closure.”

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About the Contributors

Mantra Dave, Staff Writer

Mantra Dave is a senior at Normal Community High School and the captain of the varsity speech and scholastic bowl teams, as well as a four-year member of the varsity Ironmen tennis program. This is his first year working as a staff reporter for the Inkspot. My guilty pleasures include The Bachelorette and The Good Place. A book that moved me was Dr. Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air. I love to watch Tottenham Hotspur FC and listen to Hozier.

Olivia Plangger, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Olivia Plangger is a senior at Normal Community and a second-year Inkspot reporter. Throughout her time in high school, she has competed on the Lady Iron basketball team, performed with the NCHS Chamber Orchestra, and formed bonds while in Generation Connect club. A favorite film of mine is the Sandlot. The best advice I could give to an underclassman is to take advantage of every opportunity, stay involved, and enjoy your time.