A and AA Seeding

Goals
The goal of the ISO seeding process is to:
  1. Provide an opportunity for all participants to earn meaningful medals at the Illinois State Tournament
  2. Recognize the achievements of all teams at the awards ceremony

A and AA Criteria
  1. Regional Competitiveness - ranking of the teams at each regional tournament
  2. Previous 2 years overall ranking at the state tournament
  3. A/AA Seeding Committee determination

History
  • Prior to 2003:  There were 32 teams/division at the State Tournament.  State qualifying teams were not accepting state bids because their performance at the tournament was not recognized at the awards ceremony.  Many different scenarios were tried to increase the participation at the tournament and awards ceremony (including 10 places of medals), but these options did not accomplish our goals.
  • 2003 - 2005:  The A and AA seeding was developed.  For these two years, school student population size determined seeding.  Schools were organized by student population and divided into two groups.  This option did not accomplish our goals.
  • 2005 - 2008:  The A/AA Seeding Committee was created with 5-7 people from around Illinois.   A mathematical formula was created to seed teams based on regional tournament ranking, medals won at the previous state tournament, and overall ranking in the state tournament for the previous 3 years.  The 10-15 teams seeded in the middle required additional placement considerations.
  • 2009:  Due to team participant fluctuations, the A/AA Seeding Committee used the previous 2 years overall ranking in the state tournament (instead of previous 3 years) as part of the seeding criteria.
  • 2013:  The A/AA Seeding Committee ceased using the number of medals won at the previous state tournament as a seeding criteria.
  • 2015:  The ISO Advisory Board reviewed the history and criteria for the A/AA Seeding process.  The ISO Executive Board determined the A/AA Seeding Committee will continue to use the current process for seeding.