BOONE, Iowa – The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control met for its regular meeting on Thursday, October 17, and discussed the recent spring golf decision as well as upcoming fall and winter sport updates.
Past editions of Board Briefs are available through News page and via the “Board Meeting Briefs” tag. Approved minutes from past Board of Control meetings are available through the Board & Reps page and directly through the Meeting Minutes page.
Golf: Season move delayed for 3A, 2A, 1A
The transition of golf seasons for Classes 3A, 2A, and 1A was discussed for the third consecutive meeting, with action taken Thursday to postpone any change in golf seasons for the foreseeable future.
The IHSAA and IGHSAU had announced in August a move for girls’ tennis and all boys’ golf classes to be played in the fall starting in 2025-26. However, the Board of Control voted to delay the boys’ golf change indefinitely, so the sport will remain in the spring for 2025-26 and until the board considers additional information.
“We considered the feedback from our member schools and the board ultimately decided it was worth reconsidering our initial vote,” said board chairperson Dr. Andy Crozier, superintendent at Central Lee. “It became clear that there were too many obstacles that need to be resolved in the short-term to make this change for the 2025-26 school year.”
The change was announced in August as a way to reduce spring schedule congestion for school activities and improve the student-athlete golf experience.
Since then, the IHSAA’s numerous committees and school feedback structures often cited challenges with small school participation in fall sports, coaching conflicts, and golf course availability.
Discussions among the board on Thursday turned the golf seasons from a discussion item to an action item and resulted in a 5-3 vote to delay moving the sport out of the spring at this time.
Class 4A boys’ golf will remain in the fall, where it has been exclusively since 1993 and concluded its championships Tuesday.
“We appreciate our Board’s desire to continue its due diligence as it more fully considers a possible move of Class 1A, 2A, and 3A golf to a fall season,” IHSAA executive director Tom Keating said. “We will continue to provide them with whatever information they need regarding the impact on and perspective of our member schools.”
Soccer: Match and state tournament updates
Four recommendations from the IHSAA’s soccer advisory committee were approved unanimously Thursday. Match limitations and state tournament scheduling were strongly considered by the advisory, and changes will be in effect for the 2025 spring season.
Standardizing match schedules included: 1. Schools permitted a maximum of 17 matches per level of competition; 2. Schools permitted up to two matches per day, per level of competition; 3. Individual players permitted up to four halves of play per day.
A related advisory recommendation which will appear in front of the joint IHSAA and IGHSAU board committee this fall would require varsity contests to consist of two 40-minute halves.
The 2025 state tournament will now feature four dates and an adjusted format following Mediacom Stadium’s debut as the championship venue in 2024.
2025 IHSAA Soccer State Tournament Schedule
- Monday, June 2: Quarterfinals, to be played regionally
- Wednesday, June 4: Semifinals, Mediacom Stadium
- Thursday, June 5: Semifinals, Mediacom Stadium
- Friday, June 6: Finals, Mediacom Stadium
Cross Country: State Qualifying Meet assignments
Assignments for IHSAA and IGHSAU cross country State Qualifying Meets were released Wednesday.
Events will be run at 23 host sites across the state on Wednesday, Oct. 23 and Thursday, Oct. 24. State qualifiers will advance to Fort Dodge on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2.
2024-25 Winter Sport Manuals
Regular season manuals were viewed and approved Thursday for 2024-25 winter sports, which begin practice in November. The IHSAA utilizes digital manuals which can be found through each sport page or the Manuals page.
