Illinois Inter-Agency Athletic Association

A Program of  Kemmerer Village helping kids from all over ILlinois 

Teaching and Reaching Kids Through Recreation 

IIAA History 

In 1976, three men followed their belief that sportsmanship and teamwork would be beneficial to youth in residential treatment centers and group homes across Illinois and the IIAA was born.  Tom Newman, Father John Smyth and Ted Amlong, each working at different children’s homes in various parts of the state, worked together to organize team sports within these agencies with SPORTSMANSHIP as the primary focus.  Tom Corr directed the IIAA for over 37 years.  In 2016, Kemmerer Village took over this program with Dave Dance as the new Director of the IIAA.  Today over 25 agencies participate in the IIAA and over 1500 children state-wide are served yearly by this program. 

Kemmerer Village has been a participant in the Illinois Interagency Athletic Association (IIAA) since 1984.  The IIAA organizes sports and recreational activities for youth who are placed in residential treatment programs like Kemmerer Village’s throughout the state of Illinois.  The IIAA’s mission has long been to enhance the benefits of residential treatment through the use of therapeutic recreation principles such as developing positive social skills with team sports, self-confidence through achieving physical competency, and the use of healthy activities as a means to cope with stress, anxiety and depression.

In January of 2016, the IIAA’s long-time Executive Director, Tom Corr retired.  Prior to that, he approached Kemmerer Village, requesting that we take over this program based on two factors: 1) Kemmerer’s long-standing commitment to having a quality Therapeutic Recreation program as part of our treatment approach, and 2) Kemmerer’s Director of Therapeutic Recreation, David Dance, being an active Board member and President of the IIAA Advisory Board for many years.  We said “Yes” because we saw this as an opportunity to expand Kemmerer Village’s mission of ministering to children in need of support.

The Sports Programs at Kemmerer Village increase social skills and self-esteem, acceptance of authority, fine and gross motor skills through organized sports. Kemmerer Village participates in the Illinois Inter-Agency Athletic Association (IIAA) which gives our residents the opportunity to compete against other children’s homes in various athletic events  including basketball, softball, swimming, soccer, volleyball, bowling, and track.  The main focus of the IIAA is to teach the children all aspects of sportsmanship.  According to the IIAA’s set standards, a good sport is one who can compliment his teammates and opponents; one who can respect peers, coaches, and officials; one who does not give up; one who does not act superior or show off; and one who can take winning or losing graciously.  After each competition a sportsmanship checklist is filled out and sent to the Director of the IIAA.  The residents can work on several individual treatment goals while participating in the IIAA sports programs. 

Ways to Help 

We are always looking for volunteers to help with our annual tournaments and events. 

If you have any questions about the Illinois Inter-Agency Athletic Association, or if you would like to donate your time, talents or make a tax-deductible contribution so we may continue to provide exceptional experiences for children throughout the state of Illinois, please contact Dave Dance at 217-226-2168, or dave.dance@kv.christian.k12.il.us. 

Our Focus 

The great thing about the IIAA is its focus. Sportsmanship and teamwork over winning are stressed in every sport the IIAA offers.  Our goal is to improve the social, psychological and physical well-being of our youth.  For many of our children, the IIAA is the first opportunity they have had to play an organized sport. While playing multiple games through multiple seasons, our kids learn life skills and increase their self-esteem by playing as a team, socializing with other youth their age, following directions, and just having fun! 

Testimonies 

When asked, “What did you learn about sports and the importance of teamwork through the IIAA volleyball tournament?”; 

Brianna wrote: “The importance of working on a team together is to learn how to work well with different people and personalities.  I learned to build trust and have good sportsmanship.” 

Roben wrote: “What I learned about the importance of teamwork was that it wasn’t just about me.  I had a team in front of me, behind me, and around me to be there to help accomplish things together.  I also learned that our games weren’t just about winning or losing as long as we had fun and played as a team and worked together.” 

 

Our Yearly Events 

  • Balls, Bats and Brains Training Conference 

  • Arts and Crafts Competition 

  • Creative Writing Book 

  • Basketball Season 

  • All-Star Basketball Game 

  • State Basketball Tournament 

  • Bowling Tournament 

  • Dodgeball Tournament 

  • Conference Track Meets 

  • State Track Meet 

  • Softball Season 

  • State Softball Tournament 

  • Conference Swim Meet 

  • State Swim Meet 

  • IIAA Picnic 

  • Soccer Season 

  • State Soccer Tournament 

  • Madden PS4 Tournament 

  • Volleyball Season 

  • State Volleyball Tournament