IHSA Board Recognizes Outgoing President Dan Tully of Notre Dame College Prep in Niles 

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The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Monday, September 14, 2026, where the Board approved two action items and recognized outgoing Board President, Dan Tully.

Tully, who serves as the Principal at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, reached his term-limit after serving a trio of three-year terms on the Board. He became the 19th board member to serve the term-maximum of nine years on the Board since the limitation was introduced in the early 1970’s.

“I cannot thank Dan enough for his service to the Association over the past nine years. His perspective and leadership will be missed tremendously,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “The IHSA was fortunate to have his steady presence guiding its mission for nearly a decade, and he will be remembered fondly for the thoughtful nature he brought to every topic and task.”

Tully was first elected to the Board in 2017 and went on to serve as the Secretary during the 2021-22 school year. He became the first individual from a non-boundaried school to be elected as the IHSA Board President in 2023, a position he was still serving in through his final meeting on Monday.

“It has been a privilege to serve as a part of the IHSA Board of Directors for nearly ten years,” said Tully. “As interscholastic athletics and activities evolve over time, one thing stays the same – the enthusiasm and excitement of the young people who are competing. While being a part of the decisions and discussions in the boardroom has been valuable, the best part of my time with the IHSA has been helping students create unforgettable moments. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the IHSA in other ways going forward.”

The IHSA seated its first Board members in 1903.

ACTION 

1. The Board approved a recommendation to approve the budget for the 2026-27 school year.
2. The Board approved a recommendation to approve a contract extension to make GoFan the official digital ticketing partner of the IHSA through 2031.

APPEALS & ELIGIBILITY RULINGS

Appeals 1-18 were held with the IHSA Hearing Board, a subset of the IHSA Board of Directors, virtually on September 8 and 9, 2026. Appeal 19 was conducted with the entire Board on September 14, 2026.

1. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Schlarman Academy in Danville. 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 Grant High School in Fox Lake. 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 Central Catholic High School in Woodstock. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.047.
4. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from East St. Louis Senior High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040.
5. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Chicago Hope Academy. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040.
6. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040.
7. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Belleville East High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040.
8. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Limestone High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.043.3.
9. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Carmel Catholic in Mundelein. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.
10. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Francis High School in Wheaton. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.
11. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Althoff Catholic in Belleville. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.
12. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Notre Dame College in Niles. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040.
13. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from University High School in Normal. The student was ruled ineligible in soccer due to IHSA By-law 3.042, but was granted limited eligibility in soccer.
14. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Vernon Hills High School. The student was ruled ineligible in football due to participating in the sport at the previous high school per IHSA By-law 3.042.
15. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Aurora Christian High School. The student was ruled ineligible in volleyball due to participating in the sport at the previous high school per IHSA By-law 3.042.
16. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Francis High School in Wheaton. The student was granted limited eligibility in accordance with the provisions of IHSA By-law 3.043.3 and was seeking full eligibility.
17. The Board modified the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Oswego High School. The student was initially ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.040, but will gain full varsity eligibility on September 30 (30 days after enrolling at Oswego).
18. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from St. Charles East High School. The student was ruled ineligible for non-compliance with IHSA By-law 3.030.
19. The Board sustained the Executive Director’s ruling on a student from Oak Park-River Forest High School. The student was seeking an exemption to IHSA by-law 3.051 to participate beyond eight semesters.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

At each meeting of the Board of Directors, there are certain items the Board discusses, but upon which no action is taken. The following is a report of those items from the meeting on September 14, 2026, agenda:

1. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director and held a discussion on a pair of incidents that occurred recently between two member high schools and the status of the IHSA’s investigation, as well a timeline on the resolution of the matters.
2. The Board heard a report from the Executive Director on his attendance at the annual Interscholastic Council of Private Schools (ICOPS) meeting at Benet Academy on September 10.
3. The Board reviewed the Drone Policy for the Michigan High School Athletic Association. The Board recommended modifications and the IHSA staff will bring a revised version of the policy in October.
4. The Board heard a report on state final hosting bids for the 2027 IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals.
5. The Board discussed the IHSA Managing Heat and Heat Illness Policy and potential changes to allow for more flexibility in competition for the sport of golf.
6. The Board discussed the Competitive Balance Committee’s latest meeting and minutes, as well as general ideas on competitive balance.
7. The Board heard a report on the schools who have elected to play up in classification in the State Series in 2026-27 and 2027-28. Any school electing to play up in classification must commit to doing so for a two-year term. It was noted that East St. Louis Senior High School petitioned to play in Class 6A in football for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. The school then voided that by petitioning earlier this month to play in Class 7A in 2026-27 and 2027-28. See the full list below:
8. The Board heard a report on the by-law proposals that have been submitted thus far for the upcoming IHSA Legislative Process that will occur in November and December. The deadline for submitting by-law proposals is October 13, 2026.
9. The Board heard a report on the NFHS Section meetings held from August 31-September 3.
10. The Board heard a report on the IHSA’s planned attendance at the 2026 (IASA) Conference on October 1 in Springfield, and the Illinois Principals Association Conference on October 18-20 in Peoria.
11. The Board heard a report on the IHSA’s annual New Administrator Workshop, which will be held at the IHSA office on September 23.