IESA Headlines

IESA CORONAVIRUS UPDATE---Remainder of Volleyball State Series to be Canceled

The IESA has made the decision to cancel the remainder of the IESA Volleyball state series for both 7th grade and 8th grade. As we mentioned yesterday, we were hoping that if there was a reasonable chance to resume the state series, we would try to do so. However, several factors have been taken into consideration just in the last 24 hours to reach this decision. Some of those factors that will be difficult to overcome if we continue the state series include:

• The increasing number of schools who are closing for an extended period of time;
• The variability in state host availability;
• Scheduled spring breaks and extended school closures after spring breaks;
• The availability of contest officials as we transition into the high school spring season;
• Governor Pritzker’s mandate to cancel events with 1,000+ people and the recommendation to cancel events with more than 250 individuals;
• Multiple state high school associations across the country (including IHSA) have canceled their remaining winter activities

We know that many will not find this decision to be appropriate and/or in the best interest of the student-athlete. We understand your athletes have practiced, overcome adverse situations throughout the season, made sacrifices and have grown as students and athletes to get to this point to feel like it is being taken away from them. Your opinion is respected and whether each individual school administrator, student-athlete or community member agrees, the IESA takes our responsibility seriously to slow the spread of the coronavirus before the risk increases. Our belief is that currently, the unknowns in relation to public health are bigger than IESA Volleyball. We recognize there are several teams that will not have the opportunity to finish their regional, sectional or state final experience; however, we hope that you will spend time with your students reflecting on the great things that did happen this year - the wonderful friendships, exciting matches and moments of great play. Those are the experiences that truly make for a memorable season.