High school student-athletes in Illinois will now be able to participate on non-school teams during season play after the Illinois High School Association reached a settlement on the 'Right to Play' act.
Previously, a high school student-athletes who played a sport for a club team could be suspended from playing for the high school team. The new rule will now allow them to do both.
High school student-athletes in Illinois will now be able to participate on non-school teams during season play after the Illinois High School Association reached a settlement on the 'Right to Play' act.Â
Previously, a high school student-athletes who played a sport for a club team could be suspended from playing for the high school team. The new rule will now allow them to do both.
The IHSA has now agreed to give student-athletes two waivers per season to participate in club sports.Â
"Through this measure, we are helping to connect youth in our communities to further opportunities, such as college scholarships, and allowing them more time to play a sport they enjoy before they graduate,” state senator Villivalam (D-Chicago) said in a statement. “I am grateful for the continued collaboration between Representative Yang Rohr, IHSA and advocates who are working to address the concerns of many athletes.”
IHSA executive director Craig Anderson acknowledged that rules have to be changed sometimes.Â
“We recognize that IHSA by-laws require occasional modifications,” Anderson said . “We appreciate Senator Villivalam and Representative Yang Rohr’s focus on serving their constituents. Their willingness to incorporate feedback from IHSA coaches and stakeholders and work within the existing IHSA framework was equally important, as the IHSA has been governed by member schools for over 100 years.”
The IHSA is a private, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. The Association was founded in 1900 and has grown to include over 800-member high schools in Illinois.
