IHSA video explains sectional assignments

Thanks to Michael Newman of Illinois Prep Harrier for posting the link to this video on his Facebook page.

One of the biggest complaints coaches of all sports have during the season is trying to figure out how the IHSA makes its sectional assignments. It seems like coaches and administrators would all love to take a look at the IHSA’s rubber bands that seem to be plotted around a state map to determine sectional assignments.

There are plenty of examples, but I’ll give you one from last year’s girls tennis sectionals. Oak Park-River Forest hosted its own sectional, but nearby Fenwick and Trinity, were sent to the York Sectional. In fact, Fenwick is only a few blocks away from OPRF.

This link to a 20-minute IHSA video might help. It is hosted by Assistant Executive Directors Matt Troha and Ron McGraw.

Just one warning. If you are looking for thrills and chills on a blockbuster level, I would suggest seeing the last hour of “The Dark Knight Rises” on IMAX. On a cinematic level, I would imagine the video might get a thumbs down from Sun-Times legend Roger Ebert. If you need some help staying awake, I would suggest a bag of overpopped microwave popcorn. The kind where everything looks good until the clump of black, burned popcorn pours out at the end. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine.

The IHSA’s Troha (left) and McGraw