IHSA boys basketball state finals to remain in Champaign

Posted on April 26, 2024
Normal Community and Homewood-Flossmoor take the floor at the State Farm Center in Champaign for the Class 4A State Finals. (WJBC file photo)

By WJBC Staff

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors has announced a state final hosting contract extension for the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign-Urbana.

“The IHSA is thrilled for America’s Original March Madness to remain in Champaign-Urbana for the foreseeable future,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson in a news release. “We appreciate the support that Champaign-Urbana and its surrounding communities, the University, State Farm Center, Experience Champaign-Urbana, and all the tournament volunteers annually provide for the state tournament. Champaign-Urbana has a long legacy of producing top tier events that lead to lifelong memories for IHSA players, coaches, schools, and their fans.”

The contract extension is five years in length and will encompass the 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 state tournaments.

The IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals debuted on the University of Illinois campus in 1919 and were played in the State Farm Center (then the Assembly Hall) from 1963 to 1995, before returning in 2022.

The Boys Basketball State Final hosting extension was a joint proposal from the University of Illinois, the Fighting Illini Athletic Department, State Farm Center, Visit Champaign County, and the Champaign-Urbana communities.

The State Farm Center also serves as the host of IHSA Boys Individual Wrestling State Finals each February.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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