Peoria Standard

As the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) faces mounting national pressure for refusing to enforce President Donald Trump’s executive order barring biological males from female sports, one of its most politically vocal board members—Treasurer Dr. Scott Adreon—has joined his colleagues in declining to comment publicly on the issue. 

Adreon, who serves as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for Dunlap Community Unit School District 323, has not responded to repeated media requests regarding the IHSA’s controversial stance. 

Despite his silence in an official capacity, Adreon has been outspoken on social media, frequently posting conservative-leaning commentary on X, where he has voiced strong opinions on national politics and expressed disdain for national Democrat figures.

Yet on the issue now dominating headlines—whether the IHSA should comply with the February 5 executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”—Adreon, like the rest of the IHSA Board of Directors, has gone silent.

The order directs the U.S. Department of Education to enforce Title IX by ensuring that female sports categories are reserved for biological females, with federal funding at risk for schools or institutions that do not comply.

The IHSA, citing the Illinois Human Rights Act and legal guidance from state officials, has said it will continue allowing biological male transgender athletes to compete in female sports.

The IHSA’s position comes amid federal investigators launching a Title IX investigation into the Illinois Department of Education, Chicago Public Schools District 299 and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 where female students at Deerfield Middle School were forced to undress in front of a transgender student in the girls' locker room. 

Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha emphasized the IHSA has not changed its policy and that no new vote had been taken by its Board of Directors. 

“There has been no recent vote by the IHSA Board on this matter,” Matt Troha, Assistant Executive Director of the IHSA, told Prairie State Wire. “Per our letter, there is a law in Illinois that has existed for many years that allows participation by transgender student-athletes in IHSA State Series (post-season) competition. President Trump’s Executive Order obviously conflicts with that, and we have reached out to state lawmakers seeking clarification on remaining in legal compliance.” 

The IHSA letter in question came in response to 40 Republican state lawmakers who sent a formal letter in March seeking clarification from the IHSA on its policy.

Critics argue the IHSA is ignoring national sentiment and federal rules. A recent New York Times/Ipsos poll found that 79% of Americans—including 67% of Democrats—oppose allowing transgender women to compete in female sports.

Despite public pressure and his long professional history in Illinois education, including roles as Principal of Maroa-Forsyth High School and Athletic Director at Mahomet-Seymour High School, Adreon has remained unresponsive. 

Critics have pointed out that his silence is striking, given his active online presence and willingness to comment on other political issues. Adreon is also known for his passion for the outdoors, frequently sharing photos of himself hunting and hiking on Facebook. 

In past posts, Adreon has criticized high-profile Democrats like former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, and defended Trump-backed initiatives. 

“I totally understand if you don't like Trump, but how can U sit on your hands, when young girls that have been brutally murdered are memorialized with a bill,” Adreon posted on X. 

In another post, he attacked Walz over alleged misrepresentations of military service and coaching credentials.