1. IHSA COACHES EDUCATION
Welcome to this introduction of the Illinois High School Association. We hope that you find this presentation useful as you begin your new relationship with the IHSA. The purpose of this presentation is to help you become familiar with the Illinois High School Association and the rules that govern the association and our member schools.
In the short time we have available it will be impossible to make you an expert on all of the IHSA policies and by-laws. Therefore, it is our intent to make you aware of some of our core rules and how to locate answers to future questions within the IHSA hand book.
Following the power point presentation you will be required to complete the IHSA by-law examination and will be provided instructions on how to complete this task. The examination consists of 25 multiple choice questions. You will need access to the current edition of the IHSA hand book in order to successfully complete the exam. This can be found at IHSA.org…click About The IHSA…click Constitution, By-Laws and Policies.
Unit 7
What/Who is the IHSA?
IHSA By-Law Examination

2. WHAT IS THE IHSA?
The Illinois High School Association, founded in 1900, is a not-for-profit organization of over 800 public and private high schools. The IHSA is governed by a eleven-member Board of Directors, who are principals of member schools. One member, the treasurer, is appointed by the Board and does not vote.
What is the IHSA?
The Illinois High School Association, was founded in 1900, and is a not-for-profit organization of over 800 public and private high schools. The IHSA is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors, who are principals of member schools. One member, the treasurer, is appointed by the Board and does not vote.

3. IHSA MISSION STATEMENT:
"The IHSA governs the equitable participation in interscholastic athletics and activities that enrich the educational experience.”
The IHSA has adopted the following Mission Statement: “The IHSA governs the equitable participation in interscholastic athletics and activities that enrich the educational experience.”

4. WHO DOES THE IHSA SERVE?
OVER 800 MEMBER SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
THE 340,972 BOYS AND GIRLS THAT PARTICIPATED IN SPORTS LAST YEAR (Illinois ranks 4th Nationally)
Who does the IHSA serve?
The IHSA is made up of over 800 member schools and serves over 340,972 student athletes. These students will compete in 42 sports and activities conducted by the IHSA.

5. GOVERNANCE The Board of Directors The Legislative Commission
7 Board Divisions
3 at-large
The Legislative Commission
28 Districts
7 at-large
The IHSA is governed by the IHSA Board of Directors which is comprised of 11 member high school principals representing all 7 Board Divisions, 3 at large members and the non-voting treasurer. The state is also divided into 28 Legislative Districts.

6. GOVERNANCE By-Laws Policies Terms and Conditions
3 kinds of rules within the IHSA
By-Laws
Policies
Terms and Conditions
Each is unique unto itself
None are established by IHSA staff
All are approved by the entire membership or the IHSA Board of Directors.
There are 3 kinds of rules within the IHSA. They are By-Laws, Policies, and Terms and Conditions
Each is unique unto itself….None are established by IHSA staff…..And all are approved by the entire membership or the IHSA Board of Directors.

7. GOVERNANCE The Change Process
Amendment Proposals To Change By-Laws Are Collected Annually Until Mid October And Reviewed By The Legislative Commission At Two Meetings In November. The IHSA Board Is Not Involved In This Process.
Advisory Committees Recommend The Terms and Conditions For Each Specific Sport And Activity ( T&C Are The Rules Governing Each State Championship Series)
The Change Process How are rules changed?
Amendment Proposals To Change By-Laws Are Collected Annually Until Mid October And Reviewed By The Legislative Commission At Two Meetings In November. The IHSA Board Is Not Involved In This Process.
Advisory Committees Recommend The Terms and Conditions For Each Specific Sport And Activity (As you will see later in this presentation Terms and Conditions Are The Rules Governing Each State Championship Series)

8. BY-LAWS The major rules of the association (foundation)
Govern HS participation in athletics and activities
Written, reviewed, and approved by member school principals through the legislative process
IHSA By-Laws are the major rules governing the association. They are reviewed annually and are subject to change if the majority of the membership votes to do so.

9. POLICIES
Policies serve as the “how to get it done” part of our operations.
Approved by the IHSA Board of Directors.
Can be created/developed in a number of ways.
Membership request
Board request
IHSA Staff
On some issues, the Board will gather feedback from the membership before approving.
Polices serve as the “how to get it done” part of our operations. In other words, they define the procedures for implementing the IHSA Mission, Constitution, & By-laws.
Policies Are Approved by the IHSA Board of Directors. They can be created/developed in a number of ways:
By Membership request or
By Board request or
By IHSA Administrative Staff
In some cases, the Board will gather feedback from the membership before approving.

10. Policy 18: Grouping & Seeding State Tournament Series
The Geographic Principle of IHSA State Tournament Series
All State Series are designed to determine a State Champion. The State Series is not intended to necessarily advance the best teams in the state to the State Final.
Representation in an IHSA State Final Tournament is determined on a geographic basis — that is, schools advancing to the State Final Tournament (or in Boys Football, the State Final Game) qualify from given geographical areas of the state. Pairings for the State Final Tournament are determined every year in a drawing that is open to the media/public.
An example of a policy that is known as the cornerstone of the IHSA State Tournaments is Policy 18 which identifies the geographic principle.
The Geographic Principle is used to establish the pairings for all IHSA State Series. The Geographic Principle is intended to provide geographic representation in all IHSA state finals. The State Series is not intended to necessarily advance the best teams in the state to the State Final but rather to provide a true “State Final.” A detailed explanation of the Geographic Principle and how it affects the assigning of schools into any IHSA State Series can be viewed on the IHSA website. The narrated power point is located by going to the IHSA Home Page and clicking on the Resource tab. From there, select “Video” and then select the link to “Assigning and the Geographic Principle.”

11. Loading…
This slide depicts the software system used by the IHSA administrators to make school assignments to regional and sectional tournaments.

12. IHSA PROGRAMS
Through its administrative staff of one executive director, one associate executive director and eight assistant executive directors, the IHSA regulates interscholastic competition in 15 sports for boys and 16 sports for girls, as well as 8 non-athletic activities and 3 special coed activities. The IHSA also offers programs for athletes with disabilities in T&F, Swimming and Bowling.
The IHSA Administrative staff is made up of the Executive Director, 1 Associate Director and 8 Assistant Executive Directors. Typically, each administrator is aided by an administrative assistant. The IHSA office is located in Bloomington, Illinois.
The IHSA offers championships in 15 sports for boys and with the addition of Dance, will now offer 16 sports for girls as well as 8 non-athletic activities and 3 special coed activities. The IHSA also offers programs for athletes with disabilities in T&F, Swimming and Bowling.

13. WHY ARE IHSA ACTIVITIES IMPORTANT?
STATISTICS SHOW THE FOLLOWING:
STUDENTS NOT INVOLVED IN IHSA ACTIVITIES ARE:
57% MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL
49% MORE LIKELY TO USE DRUGS
37% MORE LIKELY TO BECOME TEEN PARENTS
35% MORE LIKELY TO USE TOBACCO
29% MORE LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED
Participation in interscholastic sports and activities are important and help in the full development of Illinois High School students. According to the NFHS, student participation in interscholastic sports and activities leads to more positive outcomes and healthy behavior for students.

14. GOOD CITIZENS
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN.
WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GOAL OF THE IHSA!
A high school student will experience countless benefits as a result of their participation. However, the number one goal of the IHSA is to help develop good citizens through participation in extracurricular activities.
Without question, this is the most important goal of the IHSA!

15. COMMUNICATION
Effective communication is the key to success in any organization or profession.
WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION AND HOW TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH THE IHSA OFFICE

16. IHSA WEBSITE
Effective communication between the IHSA and member schools begins at IHSA.org,……the official IHSA website.
IHSA.ORG

17. IHSA WEBSITE
The most effective method of communicating with the IHSA is by learning to navigate the IHSA Website.
The IHSA Website is found at
Knowing how to locate the IHSA website is critical to the success of any IHSA coach. On the home page of this website coaches will find links that will enable them to obtain all of the information required so that they will be in compliance with the rules that govern all member schools as well as the details relative to participating in their specific sport or activity. This slide provides the address for the IHSA home page. We suggest you make a note of it.

18. The Coaches link to accountability
IHSA SCHOOL CENTER
The IHSA School Center is an online area accessed through the IHSA home page. All successful coaches utilize the school center/activity tracker at a minimum on a weekly basis.
The Coaches link to accountability

19. IHSA SCHOOL CENTER
Each member has its own secure area within the IHSA web site.
This area is called the School Center.
To gain access to this area requires a coaches user ID number and a password.
Coaches receive an from their school’s official representative which will contain their user ID and password.
If you do not receive your , contact your Principal or Athletic Director.
Each member school has a school specific “School Center.” The link to the School Center is located on the home page in the upper right hand corner under the heading of, School and Officials Log-in. To gain access, it is necessary to have a user ID and password. Within your school center each coach has their own unique area accessible only with their school issued user ID and password. All ID and passwords are sent directly to the coach in an from the school’s Official Representative. If you do not receive this , please contact your school’s official representative. Within the School Center coaches will be able to see: several departments as links. Some examples are: the Sport & Activity Tracker, Performance Enhancing Drug Program, Concussion Program, Webinars, Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Forms and Other Resources.. It is within the very important Sport & Activity Tracker that coaches will be able determine their current status, the eligibility of their program(s), access required Rules Meetings for credit, rate officials, access important documents and enter their Lists of Participants as required by certain sports. The areas with a red background within the Activity Tracker are areas that coaches must address immediately. The red color indicates that an important deadline is near or has passed. Watch the Activity Tracker closely, it is designed to be a coaches friend.

20. Be Informed A Coaches Key To Success
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
The Key to any coaches success and achieving the goals they have set for his/her teams begins by being well informed.
Be Informed
A Coaches Key To Success

21. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
All coaches must know where to locate critical information that is common to all sports and activities.
School Center
IHSA Hand Book
Terms and Conditions
Manuals for Schools and Meet Managers
Rules Meeting Information
Five (5) Year Calendar
All coaches must learn where to locate information from the IHSA that is critical to the success of their specific sport or activity. Listed here are the most important documents that are common to all sports and activities. The IHSA Hand Book, Terms and Conditions, Manuals for Schools and Meet Managers, Rules Meeting Information, The Schools Center and the Five Year Calendar. The slides that follow will provide information relative to each of these documents.

22. IHSA HAND BOOK
The IHSA Hand Book contains the Constitution, By-Laws and Policies that govern our organization.
This document is located at
The IHSA Hand Book is located at the link shown here.

23. Terms and Conditions
All IHSA Terms and Conditions are developed for the purpose of detailing the rules and procedures used to conduct and to participate in the IHSA State Series for each sport or activity.
These documents are located in the lower middle on each sport or activity web page.
The Terms and Conditions are an essential read if a coach wants his/her team to participate in a specific IHSA State Series. The Terms and Conditions for all sports and activities are located on that sport or activities web page in lower middle of the page. They are accessed by clicking the link provided there. To find the specific sport and activity pages, coaches must first go the IHSA home page as described earlier in this presentation and then look for the Sports and Activities tab at the top of the home page. Click on “Sports or Activities.” A drop down menu will appear showing all of the boys/girls sports as well as all IHSA Activities. Choose the sport or activity you are interested in and click on that link. You will now be sent to the web page specifically developed for that sport/activity. The link to access the Terms and Conditions is located in the lower middle of the page under the heading of “Resources.”

24. Sport & Activity Manuals
The IHSA Sport & Activity Manuals are also developed for the purpose of detailing the rules and procedures used to conduct and to participate in the IHSA State Series for each sport or activity.
This document is located each sport and activity page under the heading of “Resources.”
The Manuals are also an essential read if a coach wants his/her team to participate in a specific IHSA State Series. The Manuals serve participating coaches and tournament hosts as a “How to Guide.” The Manuals for all sports and activities are located on that sport or activities web page in the “Resources” section. They are accessed by clicking the link provided there. To find the specific sport and activity pages, coaches must first go the IHSA home page as described earlier in this presentation and then look for the Sports and Activities tab at the top of the home page. Click on “Sports or Activities.” A drop down menu will appear showing all of the boys/girls sports as well as all IHSA Activities. Choose the sport or activity you are interested in and click on that link. You will now be sent to the web page specifically developed for that sport/activity.

25. REQUIRED RULES MEETINGS
All IHSA sports conduct an annual review of the NFHS and IHSA Rules designed to govern that sport.
It is required that the Head Coach from each program (both girls & boys), attend a rules review within the time frame established by the IHSA.
Each school is required to attend a rules review meeting for each sport they plan to participate in during that school year. A Head Coach from each girl’s and boy’s program must annually view the current rules review or they will have their program placed on probation for the following school year.
All rules meetings will be provided on-line.
To access your school center which houses the Rules Meetings, you must first go to IHSA.org. When there, click the Schools and Officials Log-In link in the upper right hand corner. At this point you will be required to enter your ID and Password in the spaces provided. Now look in the area titled, SPORT & ACTIVITY TRACKER. If you do not see your sport/activity listed, then you must select the “More” button located to the right of the words Sport and Activity Tracker. If you still do not see your sport or activity then your school is not yet entered. See your Official Representative and ask if they entered your school in the sport or activity. After locating your sport in the left hand column, follow it across horizontally until you come to the field titled, Find Meeting/Redeem Credit. Click on this link and you will be taken to the Rules Meeting for your specific sport. To receive credit for viewing the Rules Review, follow the instructions provided there.

26. FIVE -YEAR CALANDAR
All IHSA Five-Year Calendars are developed for the purpose of defining a five year schedule for each sport or activity.
The Five-Year Calendars are located in the upper left corner on each sport or activity web page.
The link to access any Five-Year Calendar is located in the upper left hand corner of each Sport Specific Page, under the heading of the name of the Sport or Activity.

27. CONCUSSION / PES REQUIREMENTS
Each coach is required to complete the short online course reviewing the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs. Coaches are only required to complete this course/exam one time.
Coaches are also required to complete the concussion course and pass the associated exam. This must be repeated after two years.
Each coach is required to complete the short online course reviewing the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs. Coaches are only required to complete this course/exam one time. Coaches are also required to complete the concussion course and pass the associated exam. This must be repeated after two years.
Coaches will find access to these courses and exams in their password protected coaches school center.
To learn more about these required courses and the exams, go to IHSA.org, then to Resources, and then to Sports Medicine. There you will find details regarding these required courses.

28. NFHS COACHES CODE OF ETHICS
This would be an appropriate time to introduce new coaches to the National Federation of High School's “Coaches Code of Ethics.”
“Do What’s Right”

29. COACHES CODE OF ETHICS Coaches Code of Ethics
The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. An interscholastic program should be designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success. Each student should be treated with the utmost respect and his or her welfare should be considered in decisions by the coach at all times. Accordingly, the following guidelines have been adopted by the NFHS Board of Directors.
The coach shall be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, for either good or ill, on the education of the student and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.
The coach shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession. In all personal contact with students, officials, athletic directors, school administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media, and the public, the coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.
The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.
The coach shall avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products when in contact with players.
The coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct the program in harmony with the total school program.
The coach shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his or her team members. The coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules.
The coach shall exert his or her influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators, both directly and by working closely with cheerleaders, pep club sponsors, booster clubs, and administrators.
The coach shall respect and support contest officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against the officials. Public criticism of officials or players is unethical.
The coach should meet and exchange cordial greetings with the opposing coach to set the correct tone for the event before and after the contest.
The coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give students special consideration.
The coach shall not scout opponents by any means other than those adopted by the league and/or state high school athletic association.
This slide sets out a series of standards that coaches should adopt as a code of ethics. This document is located in the back section of all NFHS Rule Books. It is the NFHS rules that are used to govern interscholastic sports in Illinois and nationally. We recommend that all coaches take the time to become familiar with this code. It will help any coach develop a solid philosophy and always remember the influence they have over the student athletes in their care and the real reasons interscholastic sports and activities exist. It reads in part:
Coaches Code of Ethics
The function of a coach is to educate students through participation in interscholastic competition. An interscholastic program should be designed to enhance academic achievement and should never interfere with opportunities for academic success. Each student should be treated with the utmost respect and his or her welfare should be considered in decisions by the coach at all times.

30. IHSA By-Law Coaching Cerification Examination
This completes the power point presentation. Again, we hope you found it to be informative and useful. Please remember that communication with the IHSA is key to your success as an interscholastic coach. Call on us whenever you have questions. We exist to serve our member schools, their administrators, coaches and students.
If approached positively and with a solid and appropriate coaching philosophy, coaching interscholastic athletics and activities can be one of the most rewarding and personally satisfying experiences of your life. All of us at the IHSA wish you and your student athletes the very best in the seasons ahead.
Now be prepared to receive instructions relative to the final phase of this unit, the IHSA By-Law Examination.
Thank You

31. IHSA BY-LAW EXAMINATION
You will complete Unit 7 by completing the IHSA By-Law Examination.
The exam is made up of 25 multiple choice questions.
To answer the questions will require that you have access to the IHSA Hand Book.
Continue on for exam instructions.
To complete Unit 7 you will now take the IHSA By-Law Examination. This is a 25 question multiple choice examination that reviews the IHSA Hand Book. The examination is intended to provide you with general knowledge of the Hand Book and a cursory knowledge of the IHSA By-Laws. You will not be asked to interpret the by-laws, only to locate the correct by-law and match it to a multiple choice option. You will need access to the current edition of the IHSA hand book in order to successfully complete the exam. This can be found at IHSA.org…then select, About The IHSA…then select, Constitution, By-Laws and Policies.