The Illinois High School Association's board of directors approved a set of heat safety guidelines for all IHSA postseason events, according to The Times. The implementation of the guidelines will begin with the 2016-17 school year.
Here are five things to know:
1. The IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee created the guidelines, titled, "Specific Guidelines for Managing Heat and Heat Illness."
2. The policy only applies to state series contests such as regionals, sectionals, supersectionals, state finals and football playoffs.
3. The committee built their policy around Wet Bulb Globe Temperature readings, which are considered the most effective way to determine dangerous conditions by the Storrs, Conn.-based Korey Stringer Institute.
4. According to the CDC, the leading cause of death among U.S. high school athletes is heat illness during practice or competition.
5. IHSA will host a series of interactive, educational webinars about the guidelines for member school coaches and administrators.