About the IHSWLA
2007 IHSWLA EXECUTIVE BOARD
President, Pete Collins
Phone: 847-784-7736
Email: collinsp@newtrier.k12.il.us
Vice President, Mark Sullivan
Email: msullivan@ftportfolios.com
Director of State Tournament
Treasurer, Catherine Catanzaro
Secretary, Tom Rosenbaum
North Regional Reps
Bob Thompson, Vernon Hills
Janette Eichfield, Stevenson
West Regional Reps
Michelle Sebastian, Hinsdale Central
Bob Regan, Fenwick
At-Large Reps
Steve Dunn, Lake Forest
TBA
US Lacrosse All-American Chair
Dale Leibforth, Evanston
Umpiring Board Chair
Lauren Rippy, Neuqua Valley
CONFERENCE CHAIRS
Scott McDowell, Libertyville High School - North Suburban Conference
Lauren Rippy, Neuqua Valley - Dupage Upstate Eight Conference
Bridget Gregory, Regina - Chicago Metro Conference
Krista Settles, Deerfield High School - Central Suburban Conference
Katie Simok, Oak Park River Forest - West Suburban Conference
Tom Paulius, Eagles Co-Op, Southwest Suburban Conference
Francesco D'Avola, Fremd- Mid Suburban Conference
NEXT IHSWLA MEETING
Seeding Meeting, May 8 at 7:30 pm at New Trier
Please read about the IHSWLA history and growth, how to start a high school program, club teams in the Chicagoland area, and how to become an official or coach.
ABOUT THE IHSWLA
The Illinois High School Women's Lacrosse Association was established to organize and promote the growth of girls high school lacrosse in Illinois. Schools that join the IHSWLA must follow the Illinois High School Association guidelines for athletic participation. In the fall of 2002 the IHSA approved a proposal for boys and girls lacrosse to be recognized as sanctioned sports when enough schools are participating. Both the boys and girls anticipate being a sanctioned IHSA sport within the next few years as more schools start programs. Lacrosse is recognized as an "emerging sport" by the IHSA. In 2007, a presentation was made to the IHSA board of directors about the growth in Illinois. In 2008, 36 schools will be playing in the league.
HISTORY OF IHSWLA AND GROWTH OF LACROSSE IN ILLINOIS
For many years, girls lacrosse was only being played at the club or intramural level at a few high schools in the Chicagoland area. After several years of schools scheduling their own games, a group of people took the initiative to unify the existing schools and create a more organized league that would foster growth and development of girls lacrosse. As a result of these efforts, the IHSWLA was formed in 1998 with seven schools, under the direction of the first president, Linda Weinstein. Soon lacrosse programs all around the Chicagoland area were emerging, including high schools in the city, west and southwest suburbs.
The IHSWLA is also part of US Lacrosse, which acts as the national governing body of men's and women's lacrosse in the United States. The Chicago-IL Chapter of US Lacrosse has supported girls lacrosse by sponsoring player clinics, hosting the annual Illinois High School Lacrosse Convention for coaches, players and parents, and having an annual Awards Dinner to recognize players, coaches and individuals who have impacted the development of lacrosse in the Chicagoland area.
The level of lacrosse in Illinois has risen tremendously, with more players being recognized nationally as All-Americans and going on to play in at the collegiate level, many signing letters of intent to Division 1 programs. In 2005, Illinois had three teams that were ranked in the top 50 on Laxpower.com coaches' poll and have competed against some of the top teams in the across the country, which includes defeating several state champions from other Midwest states. In 2006, 15 players from Illinois made the Great Lakes National Teams, joining players from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to compete at the US Lacrosse Women's National Tournament at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
STARTING A TEAM
Any school that is interested in starting a team must follow the following guidelines.
1. School takes responsibility for the lacrosse team to play other schools (does not mean fully supported by athletic department, but must take liability for lacrosse program).
2. Follow the IHSA rules for when to practice, off-season conditioning and athlete eligibility (www.ihsa.org).
3. Have athletic director complete and fax the IHSA Emerging Sport Registration form to the IHSA(found at www.ihsa.org).
4. Have a certified coach who is a teacher or has taken a coaching class.
5. Follow the start/end dates and number of allowed games.
6. Apply to be a member of the IHSWLA and pay league dues.
7. Play for 1 year as a JV team before playing varsity.
You can download a school membership form below.
The league will help all new schools become part of a conference and schedule games at an appropriate competitive level.
CLUB TEAMS IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA (NON-SCHOOL RELATED TEAMS)
There are also several club teams in the Chicagoland area that have fall and summer programs and travel to compete in tournaments across the country. Lakeshore Lacrosse (www.lakeshorelacrosse.com) has teams play in local and national tournaments during the off-season; Midwest Elite Lacrosse (www.midwestlax.net) has a club team that plays in tournaments in the winter and summer; and Wildcat Elite (www.amontesports.com) has club teams that host local tournaments and also travel to compete on the East coast in tournaments in the summer.
DEVELOPMENT OF COACHES AND OFFICIALS
The IHSWLA is also involved in recruiting and organizing the development of coaches and officials for girl's lacrosse. The IHSWLA provides opportunities for officials to be trained and certified through the Chicago Umpiring Board that recruits, certifies and schedules officials for games. If you are interested in officiating, please contact Lauren Rippy at 630-234-8137. The IHSWLA also has coaching clinics. In February, former Northwestern All-American goalie for the NCAA Championship team, Ashley Gersuk, led a session on "Developing High School Goalies" and current Glenbrook South head coach and former Connecticut College head coach Annie Lesch led a session on "Competitive Drills for practice" at a free coaches clinic prior to the pre-season meeting. Almost 50 coaches attended the sessions.
If you are interested in starting a program at your school, getting involved in coaching or officiating, or just want more information about girl's lacrosse or the IHSWLA, please contact Pete Collins, the IHSWLA president. Each new team needs to follow the Illinois High School Association rules for athletics. Come catch a game and experience one of the most exciting and fastest growing sports in the country.
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