Oct. 24--Trinity girls basketball coach Ed Stritzel has been suspended for the first 30 days of the 2015-16 season, the IHSA announced Friday.
Trinity's self-imposed sanctions, which the IHSA accepted, will run from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30. Stritzel will not be allowed at practices or games and will have no contact with his team during that timeframe.
The IHSA confirmed impermissible contact between Stritzel, a now-graduated player and her parents, thus violating IHSA by-law 3.070.
The exact by-law, concerning athlete recruitment, reads: "In the enforcement of the rule, member schools shall be responsible for any violation committed by any person associated with the school, including principals, assistant principals, coaches, teachers, any other staff members or students, or any organization having any connection to the school."
Trinity opens the season Monday, Nov. 16 against Simeon. Stritzel would be slated to return for the Blazers' home contest against Montini on Dec. 1.
"Malicious or not, the actions by Coach Stritzel were clearly a violation of IHSA by-laws," IHSA executive director Marty Hickman said. "The sanctions imposed by the school send a strong message about the importance to adhering to IHSA by-laws, and I believe there was a sincere commitment by the school administration to take steps to educate coaches to prevent future missteps."
Trinity finished 27-5 in 2014-15, losing to Homewood-Flossmoor in the Class 4A Mother McAuley Supersectional.
Since Stritzel's arrival in 2006, the Blazers are 236-51, good for a 82.2 winning percentage.
