March 29, 2025
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Prep Sports

IHSA releases update on return-to-play guidelines

By SHAW MEDIA

Woodstock free safety Clayton Grisolia (center) grimaces as he and teammates engage in a tug of war drill, part of a Marines-inspired set of drills, during football practice last summer in Woodstock. (Matthew Apgar)

IHSA executive director Craig Anderson empathizes with everyone’s frustration around the state as they wait to return to high school summer workouts.

The IHSA had hoped to release its return-to-play guidelines by this time, but it was delayed another day as the IHSA awaits word from the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coaches and athletes normally would already be participating in their summer workouts at this time. They are waiting to see what they can and cannot do under Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan.

On Tuesday, Anderson released this statement: “I recognize that IHSA schools, students and coaches are anxious for the IHSA Return to Play Guidelines. The IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee was diligent in their development of these guidelines, and we have worked in good faith with the Illinois Department of Public Health to make sure our plan optimizes safety for high school students in Illinois. IDPH approval is vital in this process, and we understand and respect that they have pressing statewide issues to resolve that take precedence over high school sports.

"Quarantine has been a test of patience, and now we ask our IHSA community for just a bit more of it as we collaborate with IDPH to finalize these Return to Play Guidelines. We understand the return of athletics is important to our high school students from a physical, mental and emotional perspective, but we also recognize that we must be in full accord with IDPH to maximize safety and help avoid any setbacks in reuniting our students with their coaches.”