Jan. 12--The Illinois High School Association board of directors announced Monday that executive director Marty Hickman will retire January 15, 2016.
Hickman has served as the IHSA's top executive since 2001, after 10 years as an assistant within the organization. Before his tenure, he was a teacher at Girard High School and later was a principal at three other high schools.
"I have known for some time that the 2015-16 school year would be my final year," Hickman said in a statement. "It was just a matter of figuring out the timing. Given the experience and continuity of our current staff and Board of Directors, I felt comfortable stepping aside a year from now."
The IHSA began hosting state tournaments for boys bowling, bass fishing and boys and girls water polo during Hickman's time in office. The organization also faced challenges in court and in Springfield, where critics of the IHSA pushed for transparency and more oversight.
The IHSA board of directors also extended state final hosting agreements for golf, softball and wrestling state meets during their regular meeting on Monday. Softball will stay at EastSide Centre in Peoria, and individual wrestling championships will remain in Champaign at the State Farm Center. Prairie Vista Golf Course, D.A. Weibring Golf Club and The Den at Fox Creek, all in Bloomington and Normal, will continue to be the sites for the state golf tournaments.
