IHSA announces 2024-25 officials of the year

BLOOMINGTON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced its annual list of Officials of the Year for the 2024-25 season across the 22 IHSA athletic events.

"Officials are vital to the experience of high school student-athletes in Illinois, and we are proud to be able to honor these outstanding individuals as IHSA Officials of the Year," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "High school sports do not exist without them and the thousands of officials around the state who preside over contests and meets every day."

To be considered for this honor, an official must first be nominated by an Officials Association recognized by the IHSA or by an IHSA administrator. IHSA staff members then vote on the winners based on factors such as character, skill as an official, and levels worked in the IHSA State Series.

According to a survey conducted almost three years ago by the National Federation of High Schools, the average age of a sports official is over 50 years old. Officials across every sport make a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of high school and junior high athletes every year by administering the rules objectively, enforcing them with consistency and common sense.

"This award only recognizes a small percentage of our dedicated officials, but we know they are all worthy of our respect and admiration," Anderson added. "We understand they do not officiate for awards or recognition, but it remains a special tradition for the IHSA to honor them."

The award winners will be recognized at July's IHSA Officials Conference held in Normal on July 11-12.

IHSA OFFICIALS OF THE YEAR

Boys Soccer
Pasquale Mattera, Arlington Heights

Girls Soccer
Mike McDermott, Lockport

Football
Chris Terpstra, Lisle

Boys Basketball
Richard Doman, Gibson City

Girls Basketball
Thomas Strohl, Neoga

Boys Lacrosse
Nitin Rao, Northbrook

Girls Lacrosse
Elizabeth Demara, Bloomington

Baseball
Jim Urbanek, Chicago Heights

Softball
Dale McConnell, Centralia

Girls Volleyball
Jeffrey Crow, Mt. Vernon

Boys Volleyball
Kym McKay, Batavia

Boys Swimming & Diving
Emil Barbato, Schaumburg

Girls Swimming & Diving
Randy Clark, Bloomingdale

Water Polo
Joseph Trickey, DeKalb

Cross Country
Jesse Rocha, West Chicago

Boys Track & Field
Michael Gibbs, River Forest

Girls Track & Field
Tiffany Seay, Chicago

Girls Gymnastics
Betty Axelson-McClelland, South Barrington

Competitive Cheerleading
Amber Cruser, Waterloo

Competitive Dance
Allison Stewart, Grayslake

Boys Wrestling
Dave Fellinger, Chicago

Girls Wrestling
Dr. Dan McDonnell, Morris

What SJO fans need to know about home basketball games this season

Earlier today, St. Joseph-Ogden announced the school's attendance policy for basketball spectators this season.

Following IDPH guidelines, schools may control the number of spectators for indoor sporting events up to a maximum of 50 per game in regions that are in Phase 4, or 25 at schools not in Phase 4. Spartan fans who wish to attend games must reserve their space with the school. Only two spectators per athlete will be allowed.

To protect players and fellow fans, every spectator will be screen for COVID-19 symptoms upon entry to the facility.

The latest IHSA guidelines also require all student-athletes to participate in masks -- with the exception of swimming and diving, gymnasts on an apparatus and outdoor events where social distancing can occur -- all game personnel not participating in the contest and spectators must wear masks and observe social distancing.

Below are the entry and seating information for SJO basketball games this season.

• The home team will provide a list of two spectators per athlete for each freshmen, JV, and varsity home game. Athletes and their families will need to communicate who is on this list ahead of game time so that we can keep accurate records of who is in the building.

• Spectators will be allowed to enter St. Joseph-Ogden High School through the north Commons doors fifteen minutes prior to tip-off. All spectators should park in the north parking lot, just outside of the Commons.

• Upon entry, spectators will be screened for symptoms. After being symptom screened, all spectators will need to report to the balcony seating area in the SJO main gym. Please sit on the Spartan head stickers taped to the balcony bleachers. Members of the same household may sit together.

• The gym will be cleared after the JV game is over, and the spectators from the JV game (or prelim game) need to exit the gym and return to their respective vehicles.

• Remember, masks must be worn at all times.

• No gathering in the gym or outside.

• Failure to follow IDPH guidelines will result in immediate removal from the facility.

• Concessions will not be available. There are water bottle filling stations located outside the main gym.

• Restrooms are located right outside of the northeast corner of the gym.