How much do you know about the Illinois High School Association? We all know that they manage member high school sports in Illinois but the organization is much more than just sports. During the week of October 16 to the 22nd the IHSA will take a moment to promote National High School Activities Week. Activities Week was first started in 1980 by the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS), the governing body that helps to monitor high school sports in the U.S. Most high school fans also have very little knowledge of the NFHS. In a nutshell both organizations want to make the general public aware during this week that through interscholastic activity a greater lifetime educational value is obtained. Competition can promote discipline; develop self confidence and necessary skills to handle competitive situations. Teamwork, winning and losing gracefully, sportsmanship and just plain old fashion hard work are the points of emphasis of both the IHSA and the NFHS during National Activities Week.
The IHSA receives much publicity because of the sports programs but in truth there are many more facets to the organization than just sports. Debate, Chess, Drama, Journalism, Music and the Scholastic Bowl all have their own state series, just like the physical student-athlete’s. In addition the promotion of a positive attitude to the athletes through the Add A Tude sportsmanship mascot is so important. Illinois was the first state to actively promote a sportsmanship mascot and I think it is a very positive idea.
One of the biggest area’s of concern is the officiating of the various sports. Most casual fans only see the small window of the IHSA and their officials. There are 11,000 officials in Illinois of which I am proud to say I am one of them. I often wonder when I am officiating (baseball, football or basketball) and there is some fan going nuts on the official why doesn’t that fan get involved? My mother use to tell me if you are not part of the solution then you must be part of the problem. Most fans are quick to scream at an official but I find that they also have no clue to the rules or situations they are complaining about. We all claim to have very busy lives yet the only way to help is to get involved. Chastising a young official or even a veteran can eventually run them out of officiating. There is a shortage of officials in Illinois and across the United States. Did you know that? For every person that asks me how he can be an official in one of my sports that I do, there are 15 to 20 fans in the stands basically screaming “Kill the official.” Many don’t realize the hours of training it takes, or the lack of proper pay, or the delays in getting paid, or the expenses to officiate such as gas and uniforms. Most officials are perfectionist so when you are yelling at them from the stands remember they have already yelled at themselves. And wrestling fans are almost the worst, only basketball stands ahead of them in this area.
However with the shortage of officials, if you posses the qualities to be a fair human being with an interest in sports I suggest that you come on board and sign up at
www.ihsa.org during National High School Activities Week. Then your opinion will really matter and at the same time you will be helping our young athletes develop.
10-16-2005
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