Published on September 17, 2025 12:23 pm
Last Updated on September 17, 2025 12:23 pm
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting at Illinois State University on Monday, September 15, 2025, where the Board approved a new home for the IHSA Boys Volleyball State Finals for the first time since 1995.
The IHSA Boys Volleyball State Finals will move to Bolingbrook High School for a three-year term (2026, 2027, 2028) beginning this spring with the 2026 state tournament.
“We are humbled by the amount of interest we received to host the IHSA Boys Volleyball State Finals in Chicagoland, as well as in Central Illinois,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We had several strong hosting candidates, but are thrilled for the IHSA Boys Volleyball State Finals to begin its next chapter at Bolingbrook High School, which offers an outstanding venue, ideal location, and features a dedicated group of administrators and coaches who are excited to take on the hosting responsibility.”
Hoffman Estates High School has hosted the IHSA Boys Volleyball State Finals since 1995, which was the fourth year of the state tourney. The school decided not to extend its hosting duties beyond 2025 amidst athletic renovations and turnover on its staff.
“We can’t thank Hoffman Estates High School and its staff enough for their efforts in being amazing hosts for the IHSA Boys Volleyball State Finals,” said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacey Lambert. “Hoffman Estates put on a first-class experience for the student-athletes, coaches, and fans in the Illinois boys volleyball community for nearly three decades. Between their construction and long-time athletic director Steve Lacni’s plan to retire at year’s end, we understand and respect their decision to step aside after so many years of service.”
Bolingbrook High School’s athletic facilities have undergone significant upgrades in recent months, including a new floor and video board in the main competition gym, as well as upgrades to the fieldhouse, which will serve as the warm-up area for teams competing in the state finals. Further design enhancements are scheduled for the gym over the next year as well.
“We are excited to partner with the IHSA to host the Boys Volleyball State Finals, one of the fastest growing sports in Illinois,” said Bolingbrook Athletic Director Patrick Woods. “Coach Molly Deserf has done an outstanding job promoting the sport of volleyball, and Bolingbrook High School is proud to play a role in elevating the State Series. We’re committed to making it a fun, competitive and memorable experience for all involved.”
Niles West High School in Skokie hosted the first two years of the state tournament in 1992 and 1993, while Fremd High School in Palatine hosted in 1994, serving as the bridge to Hoffman Estates taking over hosting duties the following year.
Two State Finals Extended At Heartland Community College
The Board also announced that it had renewed the respective state final hosting contracts for two IHSA activities at Heartland Community College in Normal.
The IHSA Scholastic Bowl State Finals will be held at Heartland Community College in Normal for the next five years (2026-2030), while the IHSA Journalism State Finals will remain there for the next three years (2026-2028).
“Heartland Community College has proven to be a wonderful state final host and a great partner of the IHSA,” said Anderson. “The entire Heartland campus and community has welcomed these IHSA events and worked tirelessly to create positive experiences for our competing students.”
Heartland has hosted the IHSA Journalism State Finals since 2019, while the campus first hosted the Scholastic Bowl State Finals in 2022.
“I am very pleased to welcome the IHSA Journalism State Series Competition to our Heartland Community College campus for three more years and the IHSA Scholastic Bowl State Tournament for another five years,” said Heartland President Keith Cornille. “The competitors bringing their talents and tenacity to these events exhibit a commitment to curiosity, scholarship, critical thinking, and a thirst for learning. These are traits that not only will help these students succeed but will also drive our communities forward. It is a pleasure to host these exceptional young people on our campus.”
ACTION
1. The Board approved multiplier waiver requests for spring sports. The IHSA will be posting the spring sport classification data on the IHSA website later this week.
2. The Board approved a recommendation to increase the pay of Chess officials by $10 per round.
3. The Board approved a recommendation to update the Definition of a “Student-Athlete” in the IHSA handbook to the following verbiage:
“Student-athlete – Any prospective student-athlete (as defined above), as well as any student who has participated in one or more practices and/or athletic contests in any sport offered by or under the auspices of a high school.”
4. The Board approved the budget for the 2025-26 school year.
APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS
Appeals were held with the IHSA Hearing Board, a subset of the IHSA Board of Directors, virtually on September 8, 2025:
1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Resurrection High School 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.
2. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Aurora Central Catholic High School in Chicago. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.047.
3. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Montini Catholic High School in Lombard. 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 Peoria High School. 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 North Chicago High School. The student was ineligible until September 15, 2025, due to non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.047 and was seeking full eligibility prior to that date.
6. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Harvest-Westminster Academy in Elgin. The student was seeking an exception to IHSA By-law 3.061, which sets the age limit for participation within IHSA sports.
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 September 15, 2025, agenda:
1. The Board heard a report on the schools who have elected to play up in classification in the State Series in 2025-26 and 2026-27. Any school electing to play up in classification must commit to doing so for a two-year term:
| School | Sport | New Class | Term Years | ||||
| Antioch | Football | 6A | 2024-25 & 2025-26 | ||||
| Glenbard South (Glen Ellyn) | Football | 6A | 2024-25 & 2025-26 | ||||
| East St. Louis | Football | 6A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 | ||||
| Batavia | Football | 7A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 | ||||
| St. Rita (Chicago) | Football | 7A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 | ||||
| Richards (Oak Lawn) | Football | 7A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 | ||||
| Civic Memorial (Bethalto) | Boys Wrestling | 2A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 | ||||
| IC Catholic (Elmhurst) | Boys Wrestling | 2A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 | ||||
| Marmion Academy (Aurora) | Boys Wrestling | 3A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 | ||||
| Horizon Science/McKinley Park (Chicago) | Softball | 2A | 2025-26 & 2026-27 |
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The Board heard a report that the IHSA staff will have a presence at the upcoming Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) Conference on September 24-26, and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) Conference on October 19-21.
3. The Board heard a report on nominations for the IHSA Board of Directors and Legislative Commission seats. The deadline for nominations was September 15. Election ballots will open to member schools on September 20.
4. The Board heard a report on the by-law proposals that have been submitted so far for the upcoming IHSA Legislative Process that will occur in November and December. The deadline for submitting by-law proposals is October 14, 2025.
5. The Board heard a report on the NFHS Section IV and V Meeting held in Chicago in early September.
6. The Board heard a report on the number of eligibility rulings that have occurred thus far this fall and the Clear software that the IHSA staff has begun utilizing in conjunction with transfer and residence rulings.
7. The Board heard a report on the IHSA New Administrator Workshop that the IHSA will hold in Bloomington on September 24.
8. The Board welcomed Metamora High School Principal Charlie Zimmerman to his first meeting since being appointed to the Treasurer role.