Resident Raises Concerns Over Sunday Youth Football Games

Article Summary: A local resident addressed the Casey-Westfield school board to discuss the scheduling of Junior Football League (JFL) games on Sundays, a practice he said is a problem for many families. Board officials confirmed the Sunday scheduling is a direct result of a shortage of certified IHSA officials for high school games.

JFL Football Schedule Key Points:

• Resident Steve Griggs spoke during public comment about JFL games being held on Sundays.

• The board confirmed the primary cause is an inability to secure IHSA officials for Friday night varsity games, which pushes those games to Saturday and JFL games to Sunday.

During the Casey-Westfield school board meeting on Monday, a discussion about the scheduling of youth football games highlighted a widespread issue affecting school athletics: a shortage of game officials.

Resident Steve Griggs addressed the board, stating that he and other parents are concerned about Junior Football League games being held on Sundays. He asked for clarification on why the league has resorted to Sunday play.

Board officials confirmed his suspicion that the issue stems from a scheduling chain reaction initiated at the high school level. The district has faced increasing difficulty securing a full roster of Illinois High School Association (IHSA) officials for traditional Friday night varsity football games. This shortage forces some high school games to be moved to Saturdays.

Consequently, the JFL, which uses the same facilities, is pushed to Sunday to accommodate the high school schedule.

Griggs asked how he and other concerned citizens could help address the root problem. President Tracy Gelb thanked him for his interest and provided him with information for contacting the IHSA and the leadership of the local JFL to get involved in finding solutions, such as recruiting more officials.