April 14 Competitive Balance Meeting Notes

JCHillmen10

Sophomore
Jul 29, 2025
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Imagine being a transfer (see p. 2, 6th bullet point) being "wait-listed" as a school nearing a "roster threshold of ineligibility" examines its options of whom to accept. "Interesting," for sure, as stated by this thread author.
Interesting at the end that they seem to commit to trying to avoid a boundary/nonboundary split and instead find bylaw revisions to keep the two sides together.

With all the details before that about other state comparisons, etc, I foresee additional classes coming into many sports and also the word "open class" was thrown about in those notes.

I thought it was interesting that they made mention of the 30 mile radius north of I-80 potentially being different than south of I-80. That seems strange as "north of I-80" is a very large area with most of the geography being outside of Chicagoland.although I do recognize that most of the nonboundaried HS's would be in Chiagoland. I could perhaps see some haggling over the radius rule, but I would guess any major adjustment downward would be a hard no from the privates. Reasonable people can discuss the merits of a 25-35 mile radius. Shrinking the radius to 20 miles or less would definitely be a blow too much for many private schools already scouring to find every possible interested student.

I suppose this makes me foresee 10 football classes (with one of them being "open"), a slightly altered multiplier, and perhaps a lip service revision of the 30 mile radius to something very slightly smaller.
 

SiuCubFan8

All-Conference
Jul 27, 2007
5,806
3,647
113
Really want to know what a "threshold" would be, we talking per year/total on roster. So if kid transfers after FR year that counts his Sr year? Just a lot of questions.
 

Cross Bones

All-Conference
Aug 19, 2001
52,962
4,041
113
Dont like the policing of where kids go to school so long as they live within the boundaries/approved radius. Other than that its nobody's business where and why who goes to a school.

It IS the job of the IHSA to administer fair and equitable state series however. Im all for figuring out how to get the schools to compete equitably, but at the end of the day we're comparing apples, oranges, and tangerines.
 
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johnndoe

Senior
Oct 19, 2019
1,213
865
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So much plain truth, IMO, in your last sentence. Trying to squeeze fairness and equity out of systems that are just so fundamentally different is seemingly too complicated with any combination of present or new methods that are short of separation - the nuclear option.
Dont like the policing of where kids go to school so long as they live within the boundaries/approved radius. Other than that its nobodies business where and why who goes to a school.

It IS the job of the IHSA to administer fair and equitable state series however. Im all for figuring out how to get the schools to compete equitably, but at the end of the day we're comparing apples, oranges, and tangerines.
 
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4Afan

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2001
3,993
3,568
113
This seems so obvious - so frustrating the IHSA won’t just do it.
Because the IHSA has zero interest in the best 2 teams playing for the title, they want equal representation between north and south.
 

Colin2299

Junior
Aug 13, 2025
330
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Interesting at the end that they seem to commit to trying to avoid a boundary/nonboundary split and instead find bylaw revisions to keep the two sides together.

With all the details before that about other state comparisons, etc, I foresee additional classes coming into many sports and also the word "open class" was thrown about in those notes.

I thought it was interesting that they made mention of the 30 mile radius north of I-80 potentially being different than south of I-80. That seems strange as "north of I-80" is a very large area with most of the geography being outside of Chicagoland.although I do recognize that most of the nonboundaried HS's would be in Chiagoland. I could perhaps see some haggling over the radius rule, but I would guess any major adjustment downward would be a hard no from the privates. Reasonable people can discuss the merits of a 25-35 mile radius. Shrinking the radius to 20 miles or less would definitely be a blow too much for many private schools already scouring to find every possible interested student.

I suppose this makes me foresee 10 football classes (with one of them being "open"), a slightly altered multiplier, and perhaps a lip service revision of the 30 mile radius to something very slightly smaller.
So Sterling Newman would be lumped in with Chicago non-bonded but SHG wouldn’t? 🤕🤕
 

4Afan

All-Conference
Sep 15, 2001
3,993
3,568
113
So Sterling Newman would be lumped in with Chicago non-bonded but SHG wouldn’t? 🤕🤕
Preliminary talks, but ultimately I think if there is a change it will be based on population density rather than an arbitrary line in the sand.
 

Colin2299

Junior
Aug 13, 2025
330
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Preliminary talks, but ultimately I think if there is a change it will be based on population density rather than an arbitrary line in the sand.
Population density is too vague. Can't treat Walther Lutheran the same way Montini is treated.