The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) have made a significant decision to alleviate spring schedule congestion by moving boys‘ golf and girls‘ tennis to the fall sports seasons starting in the 2025-26 school year. This collaborative effort comes after years of member schools expressing concerns over the crowded spring sports schedule, which currently includes eight sports – golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field for both boys and girls, overlapping with baseball and softball.
The decision to move boys‘ golf and girls‘ tennis to the fall seasons was approved by both the IHSAA’s board and IGHSAU’s board following discussions at a joint meeting in early July. This move aims to provide relief in an already busy spring schedule and enhance the state tournament experiences for tennis and golf. IGHSAU executive director Erin Gerlich expressed gratitude for the input received regarding these changes and highlighted the effort that went into the decision-making process.
Iowa’s current spring schedule has been a topic of conversation among athletic directors, staff, representative councils, and boards for several years. The adjustment was discussed across various platforms, including district meetings, the IHSADA state conference, advisory committees, and the 2023 IHSAA membership survey. IHSAA executive director Tom Keating emphasized the importance of reducing congestion in the spring schedule and mentioned that the move aligns Class 3A, 2A, and 1A golf competitions with Class 4A to ease scheduling conflicts.
The decision to move boys‘ golf and girls‘ tennis to the fall season aligns Iowa with nine other peer state associations in the Midwest, where seven have separate golf seasons by gender and all nine have separate tennis seasons. The success of this model in other states is attributed to increased availability of facilities, coaching, and school resources, as well as the reduction of scheduling conflicts. Keating, who served as president of the NFHS in 2023-24, expressed confidence in Iowa schools adjusting to the new format and highlighted the advantages of reducing scheduling congestion in the spring.
In 2025, boys‘ golf (3A, 2A, 1A) and girls‘ tennis (2A, 1A) will compete in both the 2024-25 spring season and the 2025-26 fall season. Class 4A boys‘ golf has been competing exclusively in the fall since 1993, with the earliest competition start date of any fall sport. Updated dates for the 2025-26 calendar will be provided as they become available, ensuring a smooth transition for schools and athletes.
Overall, the decision to move boys‘ golf and girls‘ tennis to the fall sports seasons in Iowa reflects a proactive approach to addressing long-standing concerns over scheduling congestion. By aligning with successful models in other Midwest states and considering the benefits of reduced conflicts and enhanced tournament experiences, the IHSAA and IGHSAU have taken a significant step towards improving the overall high school athletic experience in Iowa.