Naperville Central High School Football Team Sanctioned for IHSA Violations

Naperville, IL – The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has sanctioned the Naperville Central High School Football Team for violations of its transfer by-laws.  Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and Naperville Central High School accept full responsibility for these violations.

Based on an initial student-athlete eligibility ruling by the IHSA in March, Naperville 203 launched an investigation on April 19, 2021 into the transfer, guardianship and residency practices at Naperville Central High School and have since discovered multiple IHSA transfer by-law violations since 2018.  The violations include failing to collect and maintain required transfer documentation in accordance with IHSA By-laws 3.030 and 3.040. 

The violations have resulted in the forfeiture of Naperville Central High School football games encompassing all wins in the 2018-19, 19-20 and 20-21 seasons, totaling 17 competitions in which ineligible players participated.  At least one ineligible player competed in basketball games during the 18-19 season resulting in an additional 4 forfeited games.

“Naperville 203 has worked closely with IHSA to investigate the specifics of these violations and has accepted the outcome of the rulings,” said Craig Anderson, Executive Director, IHSA.  “We are confident that District administration now has measures in place to rectify this situation.”

Naperville 203 has implemented revised procedures and training within the Centralized Enrollment and high school athletic offices to prevent eligibility violations from occurring.  IHSA is working closely with the administration and will provide training for specific staff on its by-laws that govern all member schools.

“Any violation of IHSA Policies is unacceptable,” said Dan Bridges, Superintendent of Schools, Naperville 203.  “Naperville 203 and Naperville Central High School assume full responsibility for the errors and the subsequent punishment outlined by IHSA.  We apologize for the negative impact on the student-athletes, families, and community.”