Understanding The IHSA Classification Changes

The IHSA released new guidelines on Tuesday for the how classifications will work in the future for their single year format. This has generated much talk from coaches and athletes around the state since its release and we try and break it down here. This is based off our best understanding of the situation.

Back in November the IHSA announced that they will be moving to single year classification changes instead of their two-year cycle that they have been using for the last decade. This means that every single year, if a team meets a certain criteria they will have their classification changed in certain sports. This was announced soon after the public outcry against DePaul Football at the State Finals due to their increase is enrollment at such a rapid rate.

In this press release the first item that was talked about was the fact that the IHSA is moving to Fixed Classification Cutoffs instead of their percentages that they have used in years past. Typically the IHSA has gone with 40% of member schools in 1A, 30% of member schools in 2A, and 30% of member schools in 3A. Cutoffs in XC are as follows...

1A - Under 600

2A - 600.01 to 1550

3A - 1550.01 and over

Cutoffs in Track & Field are as follows...

1A - Under 450

2A - 450.01 to 1250

3A - 1250.01 and over

The next rule change that occured is likely the biggest change of the multiplication waiver process. In 2005 the IHSA adopted the current IHSA 1.65 multiplier to non-boundaried schools that is added to schools enrollment once they have achieved a certain level of team success in the IHSA State Series from the previous two year cycle. If schools did not achieve that level of success in the State Series though, they were given a waiver that did not apply the 1.65 multiplier to their enrollment. That process has now been completely revamped. In the past this waiver has been automatically given to non-boundary schools that have not achieved a certain level of State Series Success. That now changes to waiver application process that non-boundary schools must complete annually. On top of that, since there is no longer two cycles, the IHSA is now doing this based off the last 3 school years. Non-Boundary teams will not be eligible to apply for this waiver if in XC they win an IHSA Regional Tournament or qualifies for the IHSA State Finals in the last 3 school years. Non-Boundary teams will not be eligible to apply for this waiver if in Track & Field they win an IHSA Sectional Tournament or finishes in the Top 10 as a team at the IHSA State Finals in the last 3 school years. These criteria's are much easier to achieve than the criteria that they had to achieve in years prior.

The last change made involves the success multiplier. The rule states that if a non-boundary team has achieved two state trophies in the last three years then that team will get moved up a classification.

Based on current enrollments, this means in XC we will see the following classification changes happen. These are not official as enrollment numbers are a constantly changing total each year. IHSA will officially announce fall and winter classification changes around May 1st.

Enrollment Changes

Chicago (C. Vocational) 2A -> 1A

Canton 2A -> 1A

Manteno 2A -> 1A

Joliet Catholic Academy 2A -> 1A

Sandwich 2A -> 1A

Rockford (Boylan Catholic) 2A -> 1A

Chicago (Instituto Health Charter) 2A -> 1A

Rock Falls 2A -> 1A

Benton 1A -> 2A

Burlington Central 2A -> 3A

Springfield 3A -> 2A

Cary-Grove 3A -> 2A

Bloomington 3A -> 2A

Vernon Hills 3A -> 2A

Normal West 3A -> 2A

Deerfield 3A -> 2A

Chicago (Washington) 3A -> 2A

Harvey (Thornton) 3A -> 2A

Chicago (Juarez) 3A -> 2A

Chicago (Senn) 3A -> 2A

Chicago (Marist) 3A -> 2A

Rockford East 3A -> 2A

Chicago (Mother McAuley) 3A -> 2A

Niles (Notre Dame) 2A -> 3A

Peoria (Richwoods) 2A -> 3A

Multiplier Changes

Boys

Chicago (Payton) 2A -> 3A

Chicago (St. Ignatius) 2A -> 3A

Lisle (Benet Academy) 2A -> 3A

Chicago (DePaul) 2A -> 3A

Burbank (St. Laurence) 2A -> 3A

Chicago (Brother Rice) 2A -> 3A

Oak Park (Fenwick) 2A -> 3A

Niles (Northridge Prep) 1A -> 2A

Peoria (Notre Dame) 1A -> 2A

Aurora (Central Catholic) 1A -> 2A

Lombard (Montini) 1A -> 2A

Elmhurst (Timothy Christian) 1A -> 2A

Chicago (Latin) 1A -> 2A

Girls

Chicago (St. Ignatius) 2A -> 3A

Chicago (DePaul) 2A -> 3A

Rockford (Boylan Catholic) 1A -> 2A

Lisle (Benet Academy) 2A -> 3A

Oak Park (Fenwick) 2A -> 3A

Mundelein (Carmel) 2A -> 3A

Chicago (Payton) 2A -> 3A

Burbank (St. Laurence) 2A -> 3A

Chicago (Marist) 2A -> 3A

Joliet Catholic Academy 1A -> 2A

Chicago (Latin) 1A -> 2A

Peoria (Notre Dame) 1A -> 2A

Aurora Central Catholic 1A -> 2A

Wilmette (Regina Dominican) 1A -> 2A

Lombard (Montini) 1A -> 2A

Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 1A -> 2A

Success Factored

Boys

Chicago (Latin) 2A -> 3A