BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – If Peoria High School were to make back to back appearances in the state high school football tournament next year, they won’t have to travel as far to play.
The Illinois High School Association’s Board of Directors Wednesday voted at their meeting in Bloomington to approve entering into a new five year contract with Illinois State University to move the state football championships to Hancock Stadium in Normal next year.
The deal also involves the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“We appreciate all of the hosting bids that we received for the IHSA Football State Finals,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson, in a news release. “Seeing the passion that these university communities have for hosting the State Finals and the amazing stadiums that each campus offers didn’t make for an easy decision. Ultimately, the first-class facilities, amazing support from Illinois State University and the Bloomington-Normal communities, and the central location proved to be the biggest factors in returning to ISU for the next five years.”
It was held this year at the University of Illinois. It’s been held at Northern Illinois University, Illinois State, and the U of I over the years, dating back to 1974, except for one year, when it was held in Evanston.
The IHSA Board also voted to offer provisional licenses to 15- and 16-year-olds so they referee IHSA contests through the Freshman level, and will cost them $20.
