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

Schools urged to push back against new immigration policies

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Illinois News Connection

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Stacy Davis Gates, CTU president, reaffirmed the state's sanctuary status and the union's fight to uphold it.

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CHICAGO - As Illinois parents and children continue to be on high alert amid fears of school immigration raids, school officials are publicly advocating for the rights and safety of students. Circulating reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showing up to some schools across the state continue. School attendance is dropping in some areas. This week, the Chicago Teachers Union staged walk-ins at several schools and teachers at more than a hundred others joined them as part of a national day of action against the Trump administration's deportation sweeps.

Photo: Erik Mclean/Unsplash

Stacy Davis Gates, CTU president, reaffirmed the state's sanctuary status and the union's fight to uphold it.

"We are the only school district in the state that has any policy protocol regarding sanctuary to date," she said.

Last month, State Superintendent of Schools Tony Sanders issued a directive to schools across the state reminding them of their obligation to protect students' rights within their buildings. It outlined protections of students regardless of their immigration status and how to prepare if ICE agents show up.

During a recent school visit, Governor J.B. Pritzker called the increase in empty desks a big concern.

Gaby Pacheco, CEO of Dream.US, a national scholarship fund for undocumented students, says the policies and statements coming from the Trump administration are inciting ongoing trauma with dire consequences.

"The stress that these children are facing is unimaginable. With the constant threat of raids and the cruel scare tactics being used, their young lives are being consumed by fear. We've heard horrifying words from the Trump administration, words that claim there is no mercy for them," she said.

U.S. border czar Tom Homan accused Pritzker of scaring children after misinformation circulated about ICE showing up at a predominantly Latino elementary school in Chicago. Residents, however, continue to push back against the Trump administration's immigration policy changes. On Monday, some businesses and restaurants across Chicago closed, and some students stayed home from school as part of a nationwide boycott known as "A Day Without Immigrants."

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