Novice/Senior State Placewinner Camp

The IKWF has partnered with the University of Illinois wrestling program and Head Coach Mike Poeta to provide our IKWF Novice and Senior boys State Champions and Place winners with an IKWF sponsored camp.

This camp will take place at Huff Hall, home of the University of Illinois wrestling team, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Each eligible wrestler can attend one or both sessions listed below. There are two sessions to provide travel flexibility for our families.

Camp details:
Date – Saturday, April 5, 2025
Times – Session I: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and Session II: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Every IKWF wrestler attending will receive lunch and an IKWF/U of I camp t-shirt. The camp, lunch, and t-shirt are provided free of charge to the participating wrestler.

Registration information will be available at the IKWF State Championships in Peoria (March 7 & 8, 2025).

The IKWF Board of Directors and Coach Poeta are looking forward to this inaugural event in April. Good luck to all wrestlers for the upcoming season!

Important Dates for the 2024-25 Season

October 13, 2024 – General Board Meeting @ IKWF office, 10:30 am.
November 30, 2024 – Competition start date.
December 15, 2024 – Deadline to submit Dual Meet State Series entry fee ($300).
January 18 and 19, 2025 – Jon Davis Kids Open, Bank of Springfield Center.
Date/Location to be Determined – Dual Meet State Championships.
February 1, 2025 – Club, Coach, and Wrestler Individual State Series eligibility deadline.
February 22 or 23, 2025 – Regionals.
March 1, 2025 – Sectionals.
March 6, 7, and 8, 2025 – IKWF State Championships, Peoria Civic Center.
April 13, 2025 – General Board Meeting @ IKWF office, 10:30 am.
August 10, 2025 – General Board Meeting @ IKWF office, 10:30 am

Membership changes for the 2024-25 season

Club Leaders,

Membership price increases:

USA Wrestling has increase the membership fees for the 2024-25 season. Below are the new prices:
Club Charter: $195
Event Sanction: $165
Athlete membership: $60
Wrestling Leader membership: $60

Additional Insured fee for clubs and events will remain at $55.

Membership processing:
Due to the above listed increases, ALL memberships will be purchased and processed using USA Wrestling membership system. Paper forms will no longer be used.

USA Wrestling’s membership system, www.usawmembership.com, is now available for the purchase of 2024-25 memberships. Coaches and Officials should begin renewing their background screenings, safe sport training, and purchasing their wrestling leader membership as soon as they can.

Participation in non sanctioned USAW events

It has been brought to our attention that there are some questions regarding IKWF eligibility for wrestlers competing in a non-USA Wrestling sanctioned events during “the IKWF season”. Here is the bylaw that this question pertains to:

16.2.1 The IKWF season shall be defined as November 1st through the conclusion of the IKWF State Championships. During this period, no IKWF wrestler shall be allowed to compete in any non-USA Wrestling sanctioned event within the borders of the State of Illinois with the exception of events sponsored by the wrestler’s school such as junior high, middle school, and/or school district associations or leagues and dual meets. Violation of this bylaw will result in disciplinary action as administered by the IKWF executive board which may include the loss of IKWF State Series eligibility.
 
Therefore, if you have a 2024-25 USA Wrestling membership prior to this November 2nd event and choose to participate, you will not be eligible to complete in the IKWF State Series.

IKWF Board statement regarding the election

At the August 11, 2024 IKWF Board of Director’s Meeting, Joe Tholl was elected to the role of President. Joe is the long-time head coach of the Orland Park Pioneers and South Chicago Sectional Director. Joe is well known and respected throughout the IKWF. Joe’s vast experience as a coach and Sectional Director will help facilitate his transition into this new role. Congratulations and best of luck to our new President, Joe Tholl.

The Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation would like to extend its gratitude to outgoing President, Jim Considine, for his 30 years as IKWF President. Jim started out as a coach for the Villa Lombard Cougars and later went on to become the West Chicago Sectional Director. In 1994, he was elected President of the IKWF, a position he would retain until August 2024. Through his steadfast leadership over the past three decades, the IKWF has grown into the largest federation in USA Wrestling and the state of Illinois has become a national wrestling powerhouse.

Jim, the IKWF thanks you for your countless hours and contributions to the sport of wrestling. Your passion and commitment to the wrestlers of the IKWF was exceptional. The IKWF would not be the outstanding organization it is today without your service and leadership.  The IKWF member clubs join the board and the executive committee in wishing you health and happiness in the years ahead.

Jim, we thank you and wish you the best.