2013 IHSWLA EXECUTIVE BOARD

President, Sarah McKenna

Phone: 845-598-4941

Email: wildkitslax@gmail.com

Vice President, Virginia Kosenkova, Montini Catholic

Treasurer, Catherine Catanzaro, Warren Township

Secretary, Vicky Richmond, York

US Lacrosse All-American Chair

Katie Simok Hansbro, Oak Park River Forest

US Lacrosse Academic All-American Chair

Katie Simok Hansbro, Oak Park River Forest

US Lacrosse National Tournament Sub-Region Chair

Charles Solomon

Umpiring Board Chair

Les Moe

Awards and All-State Chair

Jim Moy, Lyons Township

Website Chair

Pete Collins, New Trier

Conference Chairs

Bob Thompson, Vernon Hills High School - North Suburban Conference

TBD - Dupage Upstate Eight Conference

TBD - Chicago Metro Conference

Carrie Sowa, New Trier - Central Suburban Conference

Katie Simok Hansbro, Oak Park River Forest - West Suburban Conference

Virginia Kosenkova, Montini Catholic, Southwest Suburban Conference

Suzanne Rich, Barrington - Mid Suburban Conference

State Tournament Chair

Brian Patterson, Marian Catholic

NEXT IHSWLA MEETING

Seeding Meeting, May 9, 7:30 pm at Evanston High School

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 October 2010, the IHSA board approved a state series for boy's and girl's lacrosse for the 2011 season. Unfortunately, not enough boys' schools committed to particiapte in the IHSA state series, so there will not be a state series in 2013. This current season, 55 teams (59 schools) will be playing in Illinois, including O'Fallon, outside of St. Louis, the first girl's team outside the Chicagoland area.

The IHSWLA welcomes the newest programs: Ressurection, Solorio Chicago, Huntley, Lincoln Park Chicago and Carmel Catholic.

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 Illinois Umpiring Board that recruits, certifies and schedules officials for games. If you are interested in officiating, please contact Helder Weil, 773-490-3665.

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. Past presidents have included Lauren Rippy and Pete Collins. Rippy coached at Lane Tech, Loyola Academy and Neuqua Valley, before taking the head coaching position at Aurora University. Collins was the president for 10 years, while also serving on the US Lacrosse High School Board as the Midwest Chair and coaching at New Trier.

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. Currently, the Illinois US Lacrosse Chapter has sponsored US Lacrosse Level 1 and Level 2 coaching clinics for men and women's coaches. Head coaches memberships in US Lacrosse provide money for the chapter, as well as the number of All-Americans for the chapter and an IL-WI National Tournament team.

The level of lacrosse in Illinois has risen tremendously, with more players being recognized nationally by Under Armour, Brine and other national teams. Players have also played in the US Lacrosse Champions Cup, and the number of players being recruited by Division 1 programs has grown also. The number of players moving on to play at the collegiate level has increased significantly also.

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 state tournament fee.

7. Play for 1 year as a JV team before playing varsity.

The league will help all new schools become part of a conference and schedule games at an appropriate competitive level.

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 Sarah McKenna, 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.