On June 12, 2023, the Illinois High School Sports Association announced it would no longer carry boys gymnastics. This cut off support from the state, putting the sport in jeopardy for many schools.
“This was a difficult decision that came after significant discussion and a diligent review of historic data and participation trends. After years of decline in participation, boys gymnastics and debate no longer meet the threshold required by IHSA Policy to conduct a State Series. Boys gymnastics and debate both dipped below seven percent several years ago, and to our Board of Directors credit, they provided a grace period in hopes that both might experience a rejuvenation after the pandemic, but unfortunately, that has not occurred at a level that allows either to meet the Policy,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson.
The IHSA marked a lack of participation, but the sport wasn’t their own 10% rule, where only 10% of schools participate, but DGS boys gymnastics coach Bill Norris believes the reasoning was foolhardy.
“The reasoning I don’t really get. The IHSA has a 10% policy, and the number of high schools that have offered boys gymnastics has been steady for 20-30 years. It’s never been 10%. I don’t know why they decided to enforce it now,” Norris said.
The lack of this opportunity will mean players across the state will have to hope their school coughs up the cash needed for club gymnastics teams in the school, which is unlikely for teams that are not near other schools who will be doing the same thing.
Soon DGS will also get this opportunity, as similar to the Dupage Stars, the plan is to start a club team and play other teams in the area. Some tournaments will also be played, if they are still hosted, now that it isn’t a state series.
“We are going to run a program, it’s just not an official IHSA sport. It’s a club sport. To be honest, I cannot explain the details, but DGS will have a team this year. We will still compete against other high schools. Kinda like hockey, ” Norris said.
A club season would function similarly, but may risk athletes getting less exposure, if not on their own team outside of school. Spencer Schmidt is a former state placer affected by the season’s change and is unsure how it will turn out. Schmidt however is confident that it will be alright, getting to play the sport.
“Really, us changing to a club is mind over matter and we still are a big community, and will find ways to make this work. I doubt this will hurt us in any way other than the sports pride,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt also thinks some changes are required to make it work at a club level, and what it would take to raise interest in the sport at DGS, where it is declining. The last few years have shown less and less participation for the sport, as they have had lower numbers of players, more than any point in the sports history at DGS.
“I think if the coaches found better times for the gymnastics team’s meets and raise money for uniforms instead of buying a shirt and calling it a day, we can get interest,” Schmidt said.
