Dan Tully, president of the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors and principal of Notre Dame College Prep. | YouTube / Notre Dame College Prep
Dan Tully, president of the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors and principal of Notre Dame College Prep. | YouTube / Notre Dame College Prep
Dan Tully, president of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors and principal of Notre Dame College Prep, has remained silent as controversy mounts over the organization’s refusal to comply with a federal executive order banning biological males from competing in female sports.
Tully’s silence comes amid growing scrutiny from lawmakers, advocacy groups and federal investigators following complaints involving biological males participating in female sports athletics and using girls’ locker rooms.
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 Feb. 5 directive from the White House, which mandates that sports designated for girls and women be reserved for biological females.
While other IHSA officials have defended the association’s position, Tully — the board’s top officer since October 2023 — has not issued any public statement.
IHSA Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha said the association has not changed its policy and remains bound by Illinois law “that has existed for many years.”
The issue 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 – 79% of all respondents, including 67% of Democrats – believe biological males should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports.
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.
Tully’s election as IHSA president marked the first time a representative from a non-boundaried school held the position in the organization's 122-year history.
Tully, a 1994 graduate of Notre Dame College Prep, has served as principal of the Catholic high school in Niles since 2007 and joined the IHSA board in 2017.
In a recent post on X, Tully celebrated the school's staff and all-male student body.
"Notre Dame educators meeting this morning to study strategies for engaging boys. Lifelong learners!"
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