Triad Crusaders set for switch to IESA
By Anthony Jones
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Triad Middle School athletics are set for a big change as they transition to the Illinois Elementary School Association after their previous membership in the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association.
The move came in coordination with the rest of the Metro East Athletic Conference members to join the IESA in the 2023-2024 school year. Much of the motivation for the switch comes from the higher level of competition and more opportunities to compete in postseason play.
“Triad Middle School first joined the SIJHSAA in 2008 in order to allow our student-athletes and coaches the opportunity to compete with other schools in the postseason. Our next competitive step is to have our programs join the IESA, along with the others in our conference. The transition to the IESA should better prepare our student athletes for the competition they see in the IHSA during their high school years,” Principal Matt Noyes said of the decision.
One connection between the IESA and the IHSA is their postseason format. In most sports, the associations structure their postseasons with Regional and Sectional rounds to qualify for State tournaments.
The IESA is also closer to the IHSA in terms of member schools. Not only are they more evenly spread throughout the state, but they also have more member schools in total.
With that increase in geographic diversity, longer travel distance during the postseason becomes a possibility.
Noyes sees that price as worthwhile for the higher level of competition and not as a frequent issue to expect, “There may be some additional travel with this switch eventually, but we will welcome that opportunity in order to compete with the best in the state. In regards to our initial stages of postseason play, I feel like things will be fairly similar due to our district’s athletic facilities and our willingness to host events.”
One of the most immediate changes that will come from joining the IESA is the increase in postseasons. This includes postseason play now being available for seventh grade teams in many sports. The presence of a wrestling postseason tournament is another separating factor between the SIJHSAA and the IESA that Triad will benefit from.
Triad’s principal reports that even with all the changes, the move has gone well thus far, “There are a few logistical considerations with some of our fall seasons starting slightly earlier, but most of our coaches have chosen to start their tryouts and practices at roughly the same time. There will be a need for some patience and flexibility between coaches, as we experience a slight overlap between softball and basketball for our 7th and 8th grade girls for the first time, but our coaches are team players and great at communicating with one another.”
The IESA also provides a change for Crusader athletics by having official start dates for both practices and games for all schools. This was unregulated with their previous association.
“We appreciate Dr. Henderson, Dr. Winslow and our Triad Board of Education for allowing us the opportunity to join the IESA to take that next competitive step, along with others in our conference. We are also grateful for the foundation laid by former TMS Athletic Director, Mike Speer, who provided our students with an opportunity to compete for postseason hardware, along with longtime O’Fallon athletic director and SIJHSAA advocate Tracy Lauderdale, for their vision and leadership, and now we are very excited about taking things to the next level,” Noyes reflected on the athletic association switch.
