(3-9-23) Maine South’s football program will forfeit nine 2022 football wins after self-reporting ineligible players participating in those games.A very severe penalty…the administration when made aware started the investigation and reported it to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).

District 207 Superintendent Dr. Ken Wallace

“We fully support the IHSA and accept the sanctions. Along with Maine South football coach David Inserra, we will work diligently to ensure this never happens again. Coach Inserra is a dedicated educator and coach, and we know that he will work tirelessly with us to eliminate this issue. We need to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the IHSA, as well as the law in Illinois related to school residency. In this situation, I am most disappointed for the student-athletes on the 2022 Maine South football team who will bear the brunt of these penalties. Because of our location and the quality of our schools, we have always had instances of families trying to send students to our schools without establishing legal residency.”

So what about schools who have committed some form of the same offense? If they don’t self-report the majority of those violations are hidden and it is business as usual.

Just an example— this past summer before school started there was a flood of boys basketball players who transferred.

It would be naive to think that Maine South was the only school to have issues. Sad but true. It is not just in Illinois but across the country. Some student-athletes even announce it on social media they are transferring?

Recently in Ohio – Ohio’s Transfer Portal Quite Active, Woodward QB Transfers To Milford and Two More High Profile QBs Transfer In Southeast Ohio

This past week in Indiana – Carroll Back-Up QB Transfers To Bishop Dwenger

The majority of penalties like these come by the school self-reporting, not the state association.

IHSA Statement On Maine South Football Violations


Wednesday, March 8, 2023

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) provided notice to Maine South High School on March 8, 2023, that its football program will be sanctioned for the use of ineligible players during the 2022 season.

The penalties come as the result of a joint investigation between the IHSA, Maine South High School, and Maine Township High School District 207. The investigation culminated with the high school and district self-reporting that multiple players violated IHSA By-law 3.030 by participating at Maine South High School while not residing in the school’s attendance area during the 2022 season.

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson

“The IHSA recently received credible information that Maine South football players who did not reside in the district participated on the team during the 2022 IHSA football season. District 207 and Maine South High School personnel promptly conducted a meticulous internal investigation, in conjunction with the IHSA, after being informed of these allegations. After a thorough review, they self-reported violations of the IHSA residence by-laws by multiple student-athletes on its 2022 football roster.”

As a result of the investigation, Maine South will forfeit nine total victories against the following teams from the 2022 season: Barrington High School, Bolingbrook High School, Evanston High School, Glenbrook North High School, Glenbrook South High School, New Trier High School, Niles West High School, South Elgin High School, and Stevenson High School.

Additionally, the program will be placed on probation through the end of the 2023-2024 school year and have been formally notified that future violations may result in removal from the IHSA State Football Playoffs.

Anderson added-

“The IHSA’s by-laws are the foundation of the Association and its ability to follow its mission of providing equitable participation. With over 800 member schools, we depend on our schools to adhere to these rules and to work with the IHSA in instances where violations may have occurred. I commend Maine Township High School District 207 and Maine South High School personnel for recognizing the serious nature of these allegations and their diligence in investigating and reporting these violations. I believe that District 207 has already begun to take appropriate steps to prevent future issues like this from occurring again and will aid them in any way that I can in that process.”

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