IHSA cancels 21st annual Officials Conference

The Illinois High School Association announced Friday it is has canceled its 2020 Officials Conference scheduled for July 10-11.

The 21st annual IHSA Officials Conference was slated to be held at Normal Community West High School and the Holiday Inn in Normal. All reservations for attendees at the Holiday Inn have been canceled.

“We regretfully have to cancel this year’s conference, despite the positive steps our state is making in preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said IHSA executive director Craig Anderson. “Our conference continues to grow in numbers, but it’s of the utmost importance that we put the health and safety of our attendees, as well as the ancillary personnel who help make this event thrive, at the forefront.”

The IHSA Officials Conference annually provides over 600 officials the opportunity to network, participate in general and sport-specific officiating workshop sessions, and hear from featured keynote speakers that include decorated current and former officials. The conference concludes with an awards banquet that recognizes the IHSA Officials of the Year and also honors dedicated officials for their years of service.

“We are disappointed to cancel, but we know that our officials will understand,” said IHSA assistant executive director Sam Knox. “As much as they enjoy this event, there is nothing IHSA officials love more than officiating high school sports. We recognize that taking precautions this summer with the conference will ultimately result in our officials returning to officiate high school sporting events more quickly.”

The IHSA has set July 9 and 10 as the dates for the 2021 IHSA Officials Conference, with Normal once again the site.

The IHSA will offer virtual educational opportunities for officials during the conference timeframe and into August. These videos will be free to all of our licensed officials. More information about online learning will be posted in the IHSA Officials Center soon.