What Is the IHSA?

by Hall of Fame Coach Rob Grierson, Latin School of Chicago, retired
Published in Scholastic Visions November 2005 and February 2006
Updated by David Reinstein August 2012
Updated by Kristin Strey October 2024, August 2026

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Illinois High School Association

The IHSA (Illinois High School Association) is the governing body for all activities, athletic and otherwise, in which Illinois high schools compete for state titles. The IHSA sponsors a state series of Regionals, Sectionals, and the State Tournament (collectively the IHSA State Series). Regionals, Sectionals, and State make up a single tournament series, in that only the champions at Regional tournaments advance to the Sectional tournaments, and only Sectional champions advance to the State tournament.

The IHSA publishes the Terms and Conditions that govern the state series; the IHSA Scholastic Bowl Rules that explain how a match works; and the Case Book that illustrates the Rules and their application. All three of these documents can be downloaded from the IHSA’s scholastic bowl resources page.

A seven-coach Scholastic Bowl Advisory Committee meets annually in May and works with the IHSA on Scholastic Bowl issues.

The IHSA serves over 800 member schools by offering both athletic and non-athletic state championship series for numerous activities. The IHSA maintains its own website with pages for each sport and activity it oversees. The mission of the IHSA, posted on ihsa.org, is as follows:

Illinois High School Association serves member schools by enriching students’ educational experiences through leadership of interscholastic athletics and activities.

The IHSA is governed by a Board of Directors, a Legislative Commission, and a number of Advisory Committees. There are also committees for activities directors, athletic administrators, the news media, sports medicine, sportsmanship, athletic officials, and students. The Board of Directors determines policy, interprets the rules, and employs Executive Directors who, with the help of a full-time staff, administer all IHSA programs. The Legislative Commission functions as the screening committee for proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws; proposals receiving majority support are put to a vote of member schools, and adopted if approved by a simple majority of votes cast. Advisory Committees for each sport and activity meet with administrative staff annually to review and recommend changes in each of their respective activities.

Any public or private school in Illinois recognized by the State Board of Education may become an IHSA member. Membership is voluntary and renewable annually. Member schools must adopt and agree to abide by the IHSA Constitution and By-laws.

The Constitution specifies objectives; defines membership; sets up the Board of Directors, its powers, its duties, and its officers; institutes dues and penalties; defines the Legislative Commission; allows for an Annual meeting; and specifies the amendment process. The By-Laws cover all matters pertaining to athletic and activity programs, competitions, and other events, with or against any other school, whether it is a member or a non-member of the IHSA.