Dist. 211 strike could snuff out playoffs
Fremd and Palatine were together again in the high school football playoffs Friday night for the first time since 1997.
But amidst the excitement of first-round Class 8A victories by the cross-town rival Vikings and Pirates is a lingering possibility their dream seasons could end without stepping on the field.
If a teacher's strike did occur in District 211, the postseason hopes of many student athletes at its five high schools could be derailed.
"We have talked about it and it is kind of distressing," said Fremd senior lineman Chris Vincent. "But our No. 1 focus will always be on the game ahead.
"We'll deal with it when it comes. Obviously, hopefully they don't have to strike, but whatever comes, comes."
In an e-mail sent to all District 211 staff this week, superintendent Roger Thornton said "athletic and activity events and practices, including District 211's involvement in state tournament competitions will be canceled at the beginning of the strike and until further notice."
The earliest a strike could start is Tuesday, so Schaumburg's boys soccer team would not be affected in its Monday night Class AA supersectional match against Rockford Boylan at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
The state tournament is next weekend at North Central College in Naperville.
The Class 4A girls volleyball sectionals are Thursday, the supersectional is Nov. 5 and the state tournament is Nov. 9-10. Boys and girls Class 3A state cross country meets are Nov. 3 in Peoria and girls swimming sectionals are Oct. 10.
According to Illinois High School Association by-laws, teams and individuals that started competition in a state series or tournament are permitted to continue if a strike occurs. Schools or individuals affected by a strike before a postseason tournament begins are not allowed to participate.
"We don't want to get involved in strikes," said IHSA assistant executive director Sue Hinrichsen, "so we have to have some sort of policy with regards to our tournaments on who can play and who can't play."
The Earlville-Leland co-op boys soccer team started its Class A postseason before a strike that was resolved Wednesday and reached the Elite Eight this weekend in Naperville.
"Whether or not is the call of the district," Hinrichsen said, "but they are eligible."
Palatine athletic director Jerry Dobbs said one of the reasons for Thornton's decision is the safety of the students. Teachers and other staff members are used in numerous capacities at home athletic events.
And Palatine figures to have a huge crowd at home next weekend when it hosts 10-time state champion and undfeated Mt. Carmel.
"I have actually heard a lot about it," said Palatine junior linebacker Ryan Cortez, "because my dad (wrestling coach Ralph) is a teacher at Fremd. But we don't think about it -- we just play football."
Fremd is scheduled to host Loyola or travel to Warren next weekend.
"(Fremd coach Mike Donatucci) told us not to think about it," said Fremd senior middle linebacker Nick Hillard said of the possibility of a strike. "Our one focus is on the game."