IHSA SHOWS NO MERCY TO SOCCER
38 Public League teams’ playoff hopes dashed after appeal on strike policy goes unheard
The IHSA declined to hold an appeal hearing to consider reinstating Public League boys soccer teams to the Class 2A and 3A playoffs Monday, forcing 38 teams to forfeit their upcoming games because of the Chicago teachers strike.
The principals of Washington and Alcott filed an appeal with the IHSA on Sunday, claiming the association’s strike policy doesn’t specifically mention games, just “competition.” Teams are allowed to continue participating in the state playoffs if the competition was already underway before the strike began. The appeal claimed the soccer competition started Oct. 1, when the IHSA seeded the state playoffs.
“Given that Chicago Public Schools removed their boys and girls golf participants and Class 1A boys soccer teams from their respective IHSA state series competitions due to the strike, and that CPS has said they will not allow any other teams to compete during the strike, our board did not believe an appeal merited review at this time,” IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said in a statement.
Playoff games involving Public League teams were scheduled to begin Tuesday.
“I thought we had a shot at it,” Solorio soccer coach Adrian Calleros said. “Nobody wants to have blood on their hands. It’s easier for CPS to say it is an IHSA rule rather than somebody taking responsibility. It’s terrible. You have kids whose high school careers are being ended by the strike.”
Solorio senior Rafa Soto is one of those players. He learned the appeal was denied shortly after practice with his team — a session organized by players because coaches in the teachers union are not allowed to run practices during the strike.
“It’s really disappointing,” Soto said. “We’ve stayed busy and stayed prepared the last few days.”
Solorio, which lost in the city championship game this season, won a soccer state title in 2017. Soto was a member of that championship team.
“Even losing that last game in the playoffs builds character,” Calleros said. “That’s something you share with your teammates and something you always remember, even though it is bittersweet.”