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Central Suburban League

Evanston Township High School is a proud member of the Central Suburban League (CSL), one of the most competitive and well-respected high school conferences in Illinois.

What is a High School Conference?

In Illinois, high school sports and activities are governed by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Within this statewide system, schools are grouped into conferences—regional associations of schools that regularly compete against each other in athletics and other extracurriculars. A conference serves several key purposes:

  • Scheduling: Member schools play each other during the regular season across a range of sports and activities.

  • Competitive Balance: Schools are grouped based on student population and geography to ensure fair, consistent competition.

  • League Standings and Championships: Teams compete for conference titles in each sport, and athletes can earn All-Conference honors for outstanding performance.

  • Pathway to State: While conference play is important, postseason advancement—such as sectionals, regionals, and state championships—is determined by IHSA tournaments. Performing well in the CSL helps prepare teams and athletes for these statewide competitions.
     

About the CSL

The Central Suburban League includes 12 public high schools located in the northern suburbs of Chicago supports competition in a wide range of IHSA-sanctioned sports. The league is divided into two divisions based on school enrollment and competitive history. ETHS competes in the CSL South Division.

CSL South Division CSL North Division
Evanston Township High School Wildkits Highland Park High School Giants
Deerfield High School Warriors Maine East High School Blue Demons
Glenbrook North High School Spartans Maine West High School Warriors 
Glenbrook South High School Titans Niles North High School Vikings
Maine South High School Hawks Niles West High School Wolves
New Trier High School Trevians Vernon Hills High School Cougars

Did you know? The CSL traces its history back to the founding of the Suburban League in 1913, of which ETHS and New Trier were both founding members.

CSL Boys Basketball All-Conference recognition ceremony 2025.