IHSA Statement regarding Plainfield North/Fenwick ruling

[Anon1754760634]

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson:

“On the final play of the fourth quarter in today’s IHSA Class 7A Semifinal Football game between Fenwick High School and Plainfield North High School, an error was made by the officiating crew, which resulted in an untimed down being awarded to Plainfield North.

On the untimed down, Plainfield North tied the contest with a field goal and then went on to win the game in overtime. Per Rule 3-3-4 in the 2016 NFHS Football Rules Book, the game should have concluded on the final play of regulation and the untimed down should not have been awarded.

IHSA by-law 6.033 clearly states that “the decisions of game officials shall be final; protests against the decision of a game official shall not be reviewed by the Board of Directors.”

Given that rule, the contest result shall remain final with Plainfield North advancing to the Class 7A State Championship.

On behalf of the IHSA, I express my sincerest apologies to Coach Nudo and his players and coaching staff, as well as to the entire Fenwick administration and community. I understand that it will be difficult to find a silver lining in this particular situation, but I do hope that Fenwick takes pride in all they accomplished today and this season.

There is no doubt that the crew assigned to officiate this contest by the IHSA should have known this rule and they were forthcoming about the error in conversations after the game. The crew also understands that there will be an assessment of their performance and consequences from the IHSA as a result of this error.

We will continue to be proactive in our efforts to educate our officials, while also working with our membership and Board of Directors, of which Fenwick Principal Peter Groom is a valued member, to evaluate IHSA by-laws and policy related to officiating.”

 

[Goomlah]

I got one word for this:


TYPICAL!!!!!

 

[Valley Rat]

If the officials who worked the game had any dignity, they would return or refuse any payment for their weak Marx Brothers act.

 

[mchsalumni]

If the officials who worked the game had any dignity, they would return or refuse any payment for their weak Marx Brothers act.

These guys also get a championship game next weekend. If I were they, I would be calling in sick this Friday.

 

[Cclman]

Forget about returning their pay checks. Proceedings should begin asap to terminate this crew. What they have done is so agrrecious that it is beyond words. To singlehandenly change the outcome of a game is absolutely beyond the pale. Beyond the outcome, they have changed the memories that all Fenwick faithful will have about this game. I also feel that it completely nullifies next week final, and if Plainfield had any pride in the process, they would voluntarily relinquish the so called "victory", although I don't believe that any of us are naive enough to actually think they will do it. For shame.

 

[JLPlayer73]

The IHSA has outlived its usefulness. Too many analogies that would doubtless draw some kind of fire. Time for a new, more competent organization. Everything about this is wrong. Everything...

 

[Mateesen14]

I just don't understand why they can't overturn this. It seems like there is an overwhelming burden of proof that the call was wrong. I am saying this only because it was the LAST play of regulation. An egregious mistake in the third quarter can't be undone, but the last play can be...thoughts?

 

[RockSoup]

Forget about returning their pay checks. Proceedings should begin asap to terminate this crew. What they have done is so agrrecious that it is beyond words. To singlehandenly change the outcome of a game is absolutely beyond the pale. Beyond the outcome, they have changed the memories that all Fenwick faithful will have about this game. I also feel that it completely nullifies next week final, and if Plainfield had any pride in the process, they would voluntarily relinquish the so called "victory", although I don't believe that any of us are naive enough to actually think they will do it. For shame.

I am starting to feel some empathy for the refs and complete disdain for the IHSA. Refs are human, incredibly emotional game, brains freeze up, crap happens, hugely horrible bad craps happen.

But then the IHSA gets the chance to save this crew by admitting the mistake and awarding the victory to the correct winner, BY RULE, the team leading at the end of regulation.

I was so naive to believe that even though decisions like this are rarely made or never have to be made, the IHSA would protect their refs not by standing by the wrong decision but by correcting their incredibly huge mistake they made and who are probably feeling horrible about it for the last 6 hours.

 

[Mateesen14]

I understand bylaws, but my statement on the "last play of regulation" should be reason enough to change decision. I have no horse in the race, and feel terrible for pfn kids, but this is simply an error that cannot go unchanged

 

[JFelice]

I am starting to feel some empathy for the refs and complete disdain for the IHSA. Refs are human, incredibly emotional game, brains freeze up, crap happens, hugely horrible bad craps happen.

But then the IHSA gets the chance to save this crew by admitting the mistake and awarding the victory to the correct winner, BY RULE, the team leading at the end of regulation.

I was so naive to believe that even though decisions like this are rarely made or never have to be made, the IHSA would protect their refs not by standing by the wrong decision but by correcting their incredibly huge mistake they made and who are probably feeling horrible about it for the last 6 hours.

The problem with the officials is that they had 5 minutes and multiple conferences to get this right. Not one of them knew the rule that was made into a public mockery 2 months prior? Not one?

 

[RockSoup]

The problem with the officials is that they had 5 minutes and multiple conferences to get this right. Not one of them knew the rule that was made into a public mockery 2 months prior? Not one?

I agree. I don't know any of the officials but I know humans and mistakes can still be made even with five minutes of deliberation as unfulfilling as that sounds. You know they made the mistake, I know they made the mistake, the IHSA knows they made a mistake which means the officials know they made a mistake.

This was the time the IHSA had to put their big-boy pants on and make the only correct judgement that can be made in this case -- that since every play after regulation cannot be acknowledged by rule, the team leading after regulation advances to the 7A state finals. Period.

 

[Mateesen14]

I am starting to feel some empathy for the refs and complete disdain for the IHSA. Refs are human, incredibly emotional game, brains freeze up, crap happens, hugely horrible bad craps happen.

But then the IHSA gets the chance to save this crew by admitting the mistake and awarding the victory to the correct winner, BY RULE, the team leading at the end of regulation.

I was so naive to believe that even though decisions like this are rarely made or never have to be made, the IHSA would protect their refs not by standing by the wrong decision but by correcting their incredibly huge mistake they made and who are probably feeling horrible about it for the last 6 hours.

Does anyone know the process for a potential reversal? I doubt this has ever happened in such a high profile game. (These fenwick kids should have the opportunity to get waxed by east st, or pull one of the biggest upsets I could remember)

 

[JLPlayer73]

That's why God made cell phones. So either these officials weren't astute enough to make a call, or the IHSA hasn't established a "life line" for situations like this. Which proves the people running the IHSA are inept.

This would be the equivalent of, "After review...". But that's too much stress on the frontal lobes for the brain trust in Bloomington/Normal.

73

 

[Hinterland]

I am starting to feel some empathy for the refs and complete disdain for the IHSA. Refs are human, incredibly emotional game, brains freeze up, crap happens, hugely horrible bad craps happen.

But then the IHSA gets the chance to save this crew by admitting the mistake and awarding the victory to the correct winner, BY RULE, the team leading at the end of regulation.

I was so naive to believe that even though decisions like this are rarely made or never have to be made, the IHSA would protect their refs not by standing by the wrong decision but by correcting their incredibly huge mistake they made and who are probably feeling horrible about it for the last 6 hours.

Starting to feel disdain? Where on earth have you been? Maybe they ought to implement a "non-success factor" for game officials.

 

[mc140]

Must be a football bylaw because in track I once successfully petitioned the IHSA two days after the fact to get a relay put in the state meet that was dqed by the head official using an outdated rule. Granted the relays inclusion did not bump anyone else out of the meet like it would in football.

 

[SweetWalter34]

Game over.
(Take that however you want.)

 

[Ogre5530]

What a joke! IHSA looking foolish once again!

 

[Gene K.]

It seems the IHSA never wants to correct a bad call regardless of who is playing or what the consequences of the bad call are. Really sad that the IHSA which is supposed to be a strong proponent of fair play doesn't play fair with the student athletes who play the game. Apparently these types of incidents have been going on for quite some time and coaches and fans have no recourse. Starting to really dislike the IHSA.

 

[COMMITTOTHEGRIND]

I am starting to feel some empathy for the refs and complete disdain for the IHSA. Refs are human, incredibly emotional game, brains freeze up, crap happens, hugely horrible bad craps happen.

But then the IHSA gets the chance to save this crew by admitting the mistake and awarding the victory to the correct winner, BY RULE, the team leading at the end of regulation.

I was so naive to believe that even though decisions like this are rarely made or never have to be made, the IHSA would protect their refs not by standing by the wrong decision but by correcting their incredibly huge mistake they made and who are probably feeling horrible about it for the last 6 hours.

I don't feel empathy at all for the refs. I was not there but I'm assuming Fenwick went into that play knowing the rule and when the Flag was thrown went to the official to question the call. from what I hear the officials had a multiple minuet conference where at that time one of them should have had the rulebook out to get the ruling or if by chance if an IHSA official that was not working the game was available they could have possibly assisted. Apologize all you want but call it like it is......

A. The Officials didn't know the rules and screwed up

B. The IHSA got this wrong as that bylaw was probably meant for more decisions like a questionable play on the field IE fumble or pick or catch or if a player was ruled down NOT by a ruling that could of been overturn if the officials just took out the rule book and that way NOBODY could of then questioned them

C. You just took away what would have been a great memory (and an opportunity to grow off that memory) from the kids at Fenwick that I would almost guarantee even as they get older will never forget because grown A$$ adults just didn't suck up their pride and admit that they needed a few more minuets to go grab a damn rule book or say they needed to say maybe call the IHSA. This never had to happen but yet you think an apology is just going to make it go away. That's just awful and shame on you IHSA for thinking this was going to be acceptable

We are human but with that we should be accountable

 

[mpercie]

JLPlayer has a good idea. Wasn't there someone at the downstate Bloomington IHSA office to get a clarification?

 

[Coalertown44]

Well at least the PN faithful are staying classy about it........

 

[SOUTHSIDECFD]

I agree. I don't know any of the officials but I know humans and mistakes can still be made even with five minutes of deliberation as unfulfilling as that sounds. You know they made the mistake, I know they made the mistake, the IHSA knows they made a mistake which means the officials know they made a mistake.

This was the time the IHSA had to put their big-boy pants on and make the only correct judgement that can be made in this case -- that since every play after regulation cannot be acknowledged by rule, the team leading after regulation advances to the 7A state finals. Period.

Agree. The game was over. It was not a call in the 1st quarter or the second to last play of the game. It was the wrong call on the last play!

Someone at the IHSA or Plainfield North has grow a backbone and do the right thing!

I actually feel for the PN players. For the rest of their lives people will always say they got their by a mistake.

If they do the right thing they will always be known as winners.

 

[COMMITTOTHEGRIND]

Agree. The game was over. It was not a call in the 1st quarter or the second to last play of the game. It was the wrong call on the last play!

Someone at the IHSA or Plainfield North has grow a backbone and do the right thing!

I actually feel for the PN players. For the rest of their lives people will always say they got their by a mistake.

If they do the right thing they will always be known as winners.

If you see the photo above I really don't think "Doing the right thing" is in there list of "To Do" things this week. Sad

 

[LakeCtyNewt]

If you see the photo above I really don't think "Doing the right thing" is in there list of "To Do" things this week. Sad

So easy for you to say that. Can you say with 100% certainty that Fenwick would do the same thing most are asking Plainfield to do?

 

[COMMITTOTHEGRIND]

So easy for you to say that. Can you say with 100% certainty that Fenwick would do the same thing most are asking Plainfield to do?

I don't recall saying that PN should do so, I made a comment that based off a twitter photo I don't see this happening. And no I'd not ask Fenwick to do it also. if you look at my previous post I'm asking the IHSA to make their selves and their appointed officials more accountable.

That being said I just saw the game and those final moments on the xfinity game of the week

After the play occurred there was a total of 8 mins of time (including 2 time outs used for icing the kicker) used up and from my opinion I didn't see the Fenwick Coach really stress to the refs that the game should be over as this does not constitute a untimed down for the opponent but then again I could not hear it all either.

The Xfinity announcer also commented that should this have really been intentional grounding based off the definition "Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion"

I get that's a grey area also as the kid was just celebrating like a basketball player would do by throwing the ball up in the air it wasn't as if he was scrambling then threw it as that was how I was told what happened.

in the end PN is in and Fenwick is out. If the PN nation decided to do what others claim is right then you will forever have my respect, but I don't tend to have anyone care how or what I feel about how they handle it, I'm more into what the IHSA should be doing about this and not just say "Sorry but not Sorry"

 

[Corey90]

I don't recall saying that PN should do so, I made a comment that based off a twitter photo I don't see this happening. And no I'd not ask Fenwick to do it also. if you look at my previous post I'm asking the IHSA to make their selves and their appointed officials more accountable.

That being said I just saw the game and those final moments on the xfinity game of the week

After the play occurred there was a total of 8 mins of time (including 2 time outs used for icing the kicker) used up and from my opinion I didn't see the Fenwick Coach really stress to the refs that the game should be over as this does not constitute a untimed down for the opponent but then again I could not hear it all either.

The Xfinity announcer also commented that should this have really been intentional grounding based off the definition "Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion"

I get that's a grey area also as the kid was just celebrating like a basketball player would do by throwing the ball up in the air it wasn't as if he was scrambling then threw it as that was how I was told what happened.

in the end PN is in and Fenwick is out. If the PN nation decided to do what others claim is right then you will forever have my respect, but I don't tend to have anyone care how or what I feel about how they handle it, I'm more into what the IHSA should be doing about this and not just say "Sorry but not Sorry"

PN walked away and gave away a chance to the state final would lose my respect. You don't and shouldn't be asked to step aside. They didn't do anything wrong except kick a field goal and then score a touch down to move on. Adults need to support the kids from Fenwick. Time to move on.

 

[Goomlah]

Ok guys let me be the voice of reason. I come to you right now as a football fan first and an official 2nd. And I am angry.

Let me 1st apologize to Plainfield North as nothing you can do right now can appease everyone. If memory serves you never won a playoff game before this year. People should be celebrating your great playoff run, not asking whether you should give the game back to Fenwick. This is not personal and even the Fenwick fans with a conscience should realize this.

As for Fenwick, my heart aches for you. You won the game fair and square and adults who were hired for their integrity and great officiating skills failed you. I don't know what lessons can be learned other than life is cruel.

As for the officiating crew, the 1st thing I will say is please don't quit because of this error. We still need you guys. There was a reason why you were selected to go downstate. Please do not let the 1 bad memory erase all the good memories you had officiating. Having that said, please tell me CMU/OK ST came up to you at some point and you tried to make this right.

As for the IHSA, man where do I start. You're here to promote the good qualities of high school athletics. You're here to promote sportsmanship. You're here to make an obvious wrong right and stand up for what is right. You stood up for bureaucracy last night and sitting behind bylaws rather than doing what's right. You did not stand for any sportsmanship. Most importantly, you made the divide between fans and the officials and coaches WORSE, and it was already at an all-time low. We still have time to do the right thing. Make it right please. Fenwick won that game, and even most fairminded Plainfield North fans will now say the same thing.

This situation is as awful of a situation as I have seen in awhile and people should pray for Fenwick but for everyone involved. I know I will be.

 

[tincup1215]

^ level headed response. There are no winners in this situation unfortunately, but trying to demonize PFN into stepping down and letting Fenwick play next week, makes this situation worse. This situation is not, and should not be on Plainfield North. We can demonize the officials, but lets remember that the IHSA officials are not being paid anything remotely close to what the NCAA officials are. Doesn't justify the wrong call, but I guess you get what you (the IHSA) pay for.

 

[King MJ_rivals]

Silly question here. If the Fenwick coach had pulled him team off the field before the untimed down, would he then have grounds to protest?

 

[Goomlah]

Silly question here. If the Fenwick coach had pulled him team off the field before the untimed coach, would he then have grounds to protest?

It would be a forfeit situation at some point of that happened.

 

[MWittman]

Ah yes, another statement from the IHSA. Dare I ask if it was written in crayon?

IHSA by-law 6.033 clearly states that “the decisions of game officials shall be final; protests against the decision of a game official shall not be reviewed by the Board of Directors.”

Given that rule, the contest result shall remain final with Plainfield North advancing to the Class 7A State Championship.

This is vintage IHSA. Translation: We are not in the mood for a round of introspection and it will take much more for this organization to conduct any kind of soul searching for the rot which has wrought us.

On behalf of the IHSA, I express my sincerest apologies to Coach Nudo and his players and coaching staff, as well as to the entire Fenwick administration and community. I understand that it will be difficult to find a silver lining in this particular situation, but I do hope that Fenwick takes pride in all they accomplished today and this season.

No Mr. Anderson, there is no silver lining, but judging from the tone of your missive, it appears as if you expect Fenwick and those who find sympathy for their plight to accept this error with absolutely no recourse and to embrace this decision as a "teachable" moment.

There is no doubt that the crew assigned to officiate this contest by the IHSA should have known this rule and they were forthcoming about the error in conversations after the game. The crew also understands that there will be an assessment of their performance and consequences from the IHSA as a result of this error.

This passage is highly problematic: I do not wish to heap scorn on human error, but this is indeed a semi-final playoff game and one in which officials are expected to be among the most capable and enlightened men officiating a game. The fact this error was committed is inexcusable. Even more to the point: Do we know if even one official in a crew of at least five, perhaps seven, even spoke up to contradict the official or officials who ultimately decided in favor of granting an untimed down? If so, how did the officials come to the conclusion to award PN with an untimed down?

Worse, what did these officials not know prior which they became aware of immediately following the game during conversations with senior IHSA officials?

We will continue to be proactive in our efforts to educate our officials, while also working with our membership and Board of Directors, of which Fenwick Principal Peter Groom is a valued member, to evaluate IHSA by-laws and policy related to officiating

Great. This means nothing to the exception of paying tribute to Fenwick's principal as if it can possibly compensate for injustice served up by the IHSA.

The fact the IHSA recognizes an error immediately, but does not have a device to correct the error when it delivers an undeserving team to the state title game is astonishing and is emblematic of the IHSA infringing on free and fair competition. Moreover, without a mechanism to correct this error and sending an undeserving team to play next week perfectly illustrates the IHSA's lawless approach to governance.

Is this a surprise? Not in the least: This on the same plane with the common practice of the IHSA consistently retreating from any form of fairness and contributes to a deep, durable unhappiness and restlessness for a growing percentage of member schools.

Deserving of all the opprobrium leveled at it, the IHSA’s loose talk and actions in this case reveal a great deal about what this organization is all about and in what direction it is taking its members.

With Fenwick the latest victim of the IHSA's hubris, it appears as if Mr. Anderson is simply following Marty Hickman's historic legacy of failure to serve the IHSA's membership with equity.

 

[crusader_of_90]

Someone has earned a JD, I would assume.