Carbondale Reporter

Todd Rogers, principal of Carterville High School and vice president of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors, has yet to comment publicly as the organization faces mounting criticism over its refusal to comply with a federal executive order banning biological males from competing in female sports.

Rogers, re-elected to his position as board vice president in October 2024, is among the highest-ranking officials in the IHSA but has remained silent while pressure intensifies from lawmakers, advocacy groups and federal investigators. 

The controversy follows IHSA’s decision not to enforce President Donald Trump’s Feb. 5 executive order, "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," which bars biological males from competing in female sports. The order directs the Department of Education to enforce Title IX by reserving women’s sports for biological females.

The IHSA, citing the Illinois Human Rights Act and guidance from state officials, announced in response to an inquiry by 40 GOP legislators that it would not enforce the White House’s Feb. 5 directive. 

While Rogers declined to comment, IHSA Assistant Director Matt Troha confirmed via email that the policy allowing biological males to compete against females remains unchanged.

The issue of transgender athletes competing in sports teams belonging to the opposite sex has gained national attention and emerged as a key talking point in the 2024 election cycle. 

Notably, a recent New York Times/Ipsos poll found that a majority of Americans, including 67% of Democrats, believe biological males should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. 

The survey showed that 79% of all respondents opposed. 

A related bill, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, recently passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support and is headed to the Senate.

A longtime figure in Carterville athletics, Rogers also serves as head coach of the Carterville High School girls’ basketball team.