David L. Riley Kickoff

Kickoff tournaments use IHSSBCA rules. Please read our IHSSBCA Tournament Policies and our guidelines for coaches, players, game officials, and tournament hosts.

Download this form to register for 2022 Kickoffs

The annual Kickoff tournaments will be held statewide on November 19, 2022.

What are Kickoffs?

Kickoff tournaments are high school scholastic bowl tournaments that are held across the state in late November. Kickoffs are held at multiple schools across the state on the same day, giving many teams the opportunity to play. There are no entry restrictions for teams playing Kickoffs. These full-day tournaments are sponsored by the IHSSBCA, and each school must have an affiliated IHSSBCA member to register.

In 2016, the IHSSBCA Kickoff Tournaments were renamed in honor of Coach David Riley of Loyola (Wilmette), who passed away in 2015. David was a Chair of the IHSSBCA, a frequent moderator at tournament host, a mentor to uncounted Illinois players and coaches, and a longtime supporter of the community.

Contact Kickoff Coordinator Erin Limestall with questions, or if you’re interested in hosting a Kickoff tournament.

Sites

If you would like to host a Kickoff site, contact Erin Limestall.

Auburn (Rockford) site: contact Nevagay Abel
Centennial (Champaign) site: contact Andrew Cheun
Fairfield site: contact Tammy Austin
Fenton (Bensenville) site: contact Mike Laudermith
Fenton’s Kickoff site will have both Standard and Challenge divisions
Homewood-Flossmoor site: Michael Sacks or register here
Homewood-Flossmoor’s Kickoff site will have both standard (Champion) and novice (Challenger) divisions
Lincoln site (max. 24 teams): contact Josh Bartels

Qualification

The top 15% of teams at each site, rounded up, will qualify for the High School National Championship Tournament. Teams from schools that meet NAQT’s definition of a small school and finish sufficiently well will qualify for NAQT’s Small School National Championship.

Fees

The entry fee is $65 per team. Schools are expected to bring a working buzzer system and a staffer for the tournament. Contact your tournament host if you are unable to bring a buzzer or staffer. Every school must have a current IHSSBCA member to register for a Kickoff; if you are not a member, you must join to enter a team or teams. Please be aware that each tournament site will have its own limit on the number of teams it can accommodate, and therefore, turning in a registration form does not guarantee you a spot in a tournament.

Question Source

All Kickoff sites will use an NAQT Invitational Series set.