IHSA Tourney To Remain In Peoria

Champaign-Urbana has failed in its bid to lure the IHSA Boys' Basketball finals back from Peoria.  The IHSA board voted uanimously at its board meeting in Peoria Saturday to keep the games in Carver Arena from 2016-2020.

IHSA Board President and Wauconda High School Principal Dan Klett said, "the board was grateful to have excelllent alternatives," (for the State Farm Center in Champaign, and for the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates to host Class 3A and 4A) "...but it was clear to our Board that remaining at Redbird Arena and Carver Arena were the best options for the IHSA and its member schools.”

“We have built strong traditions in Normal and Peoria,” Klett said. “There is incredible support from the venues, communities and volunteers for both of these tournaments."

The IHSA moved the boys' tournment from Champaign to Peoria in 1996.  The board Saturday also voted to keep the Girls Tournament at Redbird Arena in Normal.  Bradley University’s Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria was the only other proposal for that tournament. 

“We are appreciative of the impressive proposals we received from the Renaissance Coliseum, Sears Centre, and State Farm Center,” said Klett. “We had thoughtful dialogue reviewing each site proposal.”

Champaign had hosted the state finals from 1919 to 1995 at Kenney Gym, Huff Hall, and in Assembly Hall, now the State Farm Center.