IHSAA / IGHSAU

[unipanther1999]

Iowa remains the only state with two separate organizations to govern high school sports for boys and girls.

IHSAA Exec. Dir. Tom Keating made $212,798 in FY23.
IGHSAU Exec. Dir. Jean Berger made $199,928 in FY23.

Their below counterparts in other states have responsibility for both girls and boys sports:
IHSA (Illinois): $170,328
MSHSAA (Missouri): $197,133
WIAA (Wisconsin): $201,943
MHSAA (Michigan): $197,842
AAA (Arkansas): $179,075
PIAA (Pennsylvania): $167,142
MSHSL (Minnesota): $198,292
OSSAA (Oklahoma): $164,750

Many of those states are larger and offer more sports.

IHSAA has 27 employees
IGHSAU has 16 employees
They operate two separate offices (boys in Boone, girls in West Des Moines).

Think of the money that could be saved by switching to one unified Iowa Activities Association. Money that could go toward more opportunities for student athletes in the state. Recruitment and retention of coaches and officials. Better TV coverage of championship events.

Jean is retiring, Tom is probably close to retirement age as well. The timing is right. Everyone associated with high school sports (except those on the payrolls) will at least privately say this needs to happen.

If not now, when?

(The above data comes from CauseIQ.com)

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[NorthernHawkeye]

I will always will be an ardent supporter of the girls union. I'm grateful that Iowa has maintained two separate bodies where one solely champions and advocates for girl's sports.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

It gets really old reading these threads every year ripping on the two associations. They have done far better for Iowa athletes than most states.

Give it a rest