The IHSA announced Wednesday that Girls Flag Football will be the latest sport to debut an IHSA State Series this Fall.
The IHSA Board of Directors approved the Girls Flag Football State Series during their regularly scheduled meeting on February 4th. The IHSA will offer a State Series in 40 total sports and activities in 2024-25.
The IHSA has commitments from over 100 schools to participate in the inaugural State Series in 2024, while nearly 40 other schools have expressed that they anticipate fielding a team in 2025.
Through the help of the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Public Schools League conducted a postseason tourney in 2021, which was won by Back of the Yards High School. The CPL and Chicago Bears then joined together to host a state championship event at Halas Hall in 2022 and 2023, with Willowbrook High School and Lane Tech High School winning state championships, respectively.
The IHSA Girls Flag Football Advisory Committee has met twice previously and will look to finalize the rulebook and structure of the State Series at upcoming meetings. The IHSA will also create a Request For Proposals in order to find sites interested in hosting the State Finals at an upcoming Board meeting.
Individuals interested in becoming IHSA Girls Flag Football officials can begin licensing on May 1, 2024.
The inaugural IHSA Girls Flag Football State Finals will take place on Friday and Saturday, October 11-12th.