UPDATED 2:50 P.M.
PEORIA, Ill. – Residency requirements is what’s being cited in the Peoria High football team forfeiting seven wins from the 2023 season.
Illinois High School Association Executive Director Craig Anderson made that ruling Wednesday after determining the team used an ineligible player.
Peoria Public Schools says two players were ruled ineligible.
An IHSA spokesperson says the student-athlete in question did not meet Residence By-law 3.031.3 after transferring to Peoria High.
The by-law states that a student-athlete must reside full-time with one birth or adoptive parent, or other relative without assignment of custody or legal guardianship by the court, provided the student-athlete lives in the district of the school they attend, attended the school in the previous school term, or attended 7th and 8th grade in the district if they are a freshman.
The spokesperson continues to say Peoria High did not seek an IHSA ruling prior to the football season the student-athlete in question transferred there. The violation was discovered after the student-athlete sought a ruling after transferring from Peoria High to another school.
In a statement, Anderson says while “it is disappointing any time that we must issue forfeits, but it remains imperative that IHSA member schools adhere to the Association’s by-laws.” He continued to say that his experiences with administrators at Peoria High have been positive, and believes the school is ensuring a similar situation does not happen again.
Peoria High finished the 2023 season at 7-3, with a loss to Joliet Catholic Academy in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.
WMBD has reached out to Peoria Public Schools for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
Craig Anderson’s full statement on the matter:
“I issued a ruling on November 15, 2023, on behalf of the IHSA that the Peoria High School football team must forfeit its seven victories from the 2023 season due to use of an ineligible player in those contests (violating IHSA By-laws 6.010 & 6.021). It is disappointing any time that we must issue forfeits, but it remains imperative that IHSA member schools adhere to the Association’s by-laws. My experiences with the Peoria High School administration and athletic department have always been positive, and I believe they have taken this matter very seriously and are taking steps to ensure that a similar situation does not unfold again in the future. We will support them in those efforts in any way that we can moving forward.”
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PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria High School football must forfeit its seven wins from the 2023 season.
That’s the ruling from Illinois High School Association Executive Director Craig Anderson, after determining the school used an ineligible player this season.
In a statement, Anderson cites IHSA By-laws 6.010 and 6.021 as the reason for the forfeiture, but didn’t explain how the by-laws were violated.
He continued to say his experiences with Peoria High administration has always been positive, and believes they are taking the matter seriously to ensure a similar situation does not happen again.
Peoria Public Schools says two players were ruled ineligible, with 25 News reporting the issue is over legal guardianship.
Stats for the team this season will not change, but will be on probation for next year, though PPS Superintendent Doctor Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat was unsure of what that would entail.
Peoria High went 7-3 this season, losing in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to Joliet Catholic Academy, 40-16.
WMBD has reached out to Peoria Public Schools for comment, but has yet to receive a response.
Craig Anderson’s full statement on the matter:
“I issued a ruling on November 15, 2023, on behalf of the IHSA that the Peoria High School football team must forfeit its seven victories from the 2023 season due to use of an ineligible player in those contests (violating IHSA By-laws 6.010 & 6.021). It is disappointing any time that we must issue forfeits, but it remains imperative that IHSA member schools adhere to the Association’s by-laws. My experiences with the Peoria High School administration and athletic department have always been positive, and I believe they have taken this matter very seriously and are taking steps to ensure that a similar situation does not unfold again in the future. We will support them in those efforts in any way that we can moving forward.”
