Thanks to IHSAA for material used in this story…

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(6-15-22) In March 2014, Illiana Christian decided to move from Lansing, Illinois to Dyer, Indiana (approximately 10 miles to the southeast). The reasons given for the move include the need for larger and more modern facilities and grounds as well as the migration of many of the school’s families to Northwest Indiana.

In an ABC 7 story during the announcement of the move in 2014 Principal Peter Boonstra said-

“Our current facility is getting a little tired. We have for many years struggled with some of its limitations, not having enough athletic fields, educational facilities.

“We are not really making this an Illinois vs. Indiana thing. We have been on the border for its whole existence, we will continue to, slipping over to the other.”

With the move Illiana Christian would move from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and become members of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) in 2018. Post season play would have to be put on hold for four years during the transition.

Thanks to the IHSAA they would cut the wait from four years to two years, which is why they are playing in the state finals this year…had they waited the four year period they would be spending this weekend at home –

“On May 4, 2020 the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Board of Directors approved a bylaw addition to Article III section 3 of the handbook which allows provision for a school that moves from an adjacent state to Indiana to participate in the state tournament in two years instead of the standard four years for new IHSAA applicants.”

This weekend in just their 2nd year of IHSAA playoff eligibility they will play for a chance to win the school’s first ever state championship in any sport.

The unranked Vikings (21-7) will take on #7 Centerville (21-5) in the IHSAA Class 2A title game on Friday at 5:30pm in Indianapolis at Victory Field.

Not many schools have ever done what Illiana Christian did…move from one state to another…and do it successfully.

IHSAA State Baseball Preview

Did you know…

The Vikings became members of the Greater South Shore Conference this past fall…which includes Lake Station, Bishop Noll, Whiting, Wheeler, Hanover Central, River Forest, Calumet and Griffith

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