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Where All 50 States Stand On Fall SportsPublished by
What's Going On Across All 50 States Here is a look at where state associations stand across the country on the progess of decision-making for the fall of 2020. This information pertains to ongoing announcements about the status of school re-openings and fall sports and may be updated at any time. All states are bound by decisions made by governors and other local officials. Seven State Associations Have Canceled Cross Country For 2020: California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Virginia, District of Columbia. North Carolina has postponed cross country until November. Updated on 10/9/2020 Alabama Aug. 21 Update - Best Practices For Fall Sports Greene and Sumter Counties will not compete this fall. Barbour County canceled high school sports for the entire school year. STORY Guidelines for Spectators - Social distancing of six feet between people from different households, masks covering nose and mouth, and reduced numbers. The AHSAA Board approved a list of best practices for returning to fall sports in a meeting on Wednesday, July 22 and affirmed plans to start the seasons on time. Cross country meets can begin on Aug. 20. AHSAA
Alaska The ASAA's down-sized state meet is set for Saturday at Kincaid Park. The field sizes have been reduced by 55 percent, but what's lost is that cross country is no longer a team sport at the state meet. Only 38 boys and girls individuals will compete. No team trophies will be presented. ADN STORY From the Alaska School Activities Association: "It is the intent of the ASAA to host championship events in all activities. However, dates, locations and formats may change due to the impact of COVID-19." The state cross country championship, earliest in the U.S., is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Bartlett High School. The Anchorage School District, which imposed a delay, began fall sports practice on Aug. 17. Outside of Ancorage, football practice has been under way since Aug. 5. The state is still formulating a plan for the regular fall season. | RETURN TO PRACTICE PROTOCOLS | RETURN TO EVENTS PROTOCOLS
Arizona UPDATED SPORTS MODIFICATIONS (Sept. 15) | There is still no date set for the state championships. The state's recommended guidelines are under review. (Aug. 21) Phoenix Union School District postpones fall sports - STORY AIA's Fall Sports Modifications (Aug. 7) The start date for cross country has been adjusted to August 24. IF a school completes 14 days of heat acclimation, then its first meet could be Sept. 9, otherwise the first meet would be Sept. 11 or later. Pima County would start Sept. 7 with practice and its first meet could be Sept. 23 (as long as it has the 14 days of practice). Sectionals will still be the week of Nov. 2 and state sometime the following week. AIA Approves Fall Sports Calendar AIA Guidelines For Return To Athletic Activity Two school districts located in Eastern Arizona, Ganado and Whiteriver, have elected to cancel all sports in the fall due to the pandemic. Both districts serve Native American populations that have been hard hit by the novel coronavirus. Alchesay High Won't Play Fall Sports In response to the governor's order, the restart of school athletics has been delayed until at least Aug. 17, which will push back the start dates for practices and also delay the schedule for competition. It could mean the loss of three weeks of football games. There is no current discussion to move sport seasons. Cross country and golf are the most likely sports to operate in the fall. AIA
Arkansas In a July 31 statement, the AAA said is has apporoval to proceed with the normal schedule from the Governor. AAA | Cross Country Recommendations | State meet will go Friday, Nov. 6 so as to not conflict with the Breeder's Cup. The AAA says it is making contingency plans to shift the schedule, if need be, that would be based on new directives from the Governor's office and the Department of Health. AAA In a brief July 7 statement, the AAA says that it is preparing to move ahead with a regular fall schedule and that all states bordering Arkansas are set to do the same, in accordance with directives from the Governor's Office and the Department of Health. The governor has ordered a delay for opening schools, but says they should open between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26. AAA
California CIF cross country championships are penciled in for March 27, 2021. The CIF announced on July 20 that fall sports, including cross country, will commence in December 2020 or January 2021 and the section and state championships will be held in March. In the Southern Section, the first date for competition has been set at Dec. 26. CIF STATEMENT The CIF Northern Section may go it alone and conduct sports in the fall anyway, and then not compete for state titles when they happen in March. CIFNS On July 13, the Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified school districts announced that they would begin the school year online-only with no timetable for returning to in-person classes. Meanwhile, other school districts say they will open and not require masks. On July 8, the California Teachers Association, which represents more than 300,000 educators across the state, came out with a statement that advised "California cannot reopen schools until they are safe."
Colorado Meets can begin on Saturday, Aug. 15, but there will be some severe modifications. The CHSAA has come up with a four-season plan that will move some traditional sports, like football, into 2021. Cross country will proceed this fall. Practice starts Aug. 12 with meets ablet to go this weekend. CHSAA Boys golf practice is set to being on Aug. 3 and appears to be able to proceed in accordance with local guidelines. An announcement was made Aug. 4, with CHSAA outlining the entire fall athletics calendar. Cross country is scheduled to begin practice Aug. 12, with its first competition eligible for Aug. 15. The tentative date for the state championship meet is Oct. 17. On July 8, Executiive Director Rhonda Blandford-Green responded to questions via Twitter about returning to play in the fall.
Connecticut On Friday, Sept. 4, the CIAC ruled that the "high risk" sport of football will not be played this fall. The CIAC returned to conditioning for fall sports on Monday, Aug. 24, and may begin "sport specific skill work" on Aug. 29. No official fall practice will start until Sept. 21. FALL PLAN The first date for fall sports has been delayed until Aug. 29 while it prepares a fall plan. (Aug. 21) The CIAC has placed fall sports on "pause" until Aug. 27. Every sport but football will begin official practices on Aug. 27. Football begins the 17th. A three-week conditioning period is prescribed and cross country meets in the state can begin Sept. 24. CIAC The CIAC ruled against its own football committee, which proposed moving the sport to next spring. This column by the Hartford Courant's Mike Anthony gets to the point. On Friday, July 31, the CIAC released what it calls a "fluid plan" that will reduce the length of the fall season, keep regular season play mostly to a local/regional level, and allow coaches to work with up to 15 students at a time. A three-week conditioning and reacclimation period will proceed the beginning of competition. The first contest date, for all fall sports, is Sept. 24. RELEASE Small group, in-person contact between coaches and athletes began July 6, coinciding with the soft opening of school facilities. CIAC GUIDELINES FOR RESOCIALIZATION Coaches Welcome In-Person Training Sessions (Mary Albl)
Delaware By a vote of 4-3, Emergency Regulation 1010 (Sept. 17) passed the Delaware Board of Education - The convoluted regulation outlines a return to fall sports and the safety protocols that must be in place. Teams may begin practicing on Sept. 28 and competition can start Oct. 19. The Board is wrestling with the "inequity" of allowing one sport to play while postponing another (football). UDREVIEW On Sept. 10, Delaware reversed field and said that fall sports can resume in October. Thus Delaware becomes the first state to cancel fall sports and then re-open them. DIAA The State Board of Education still has to make a final approval. On Aug. 6, the DIAA by a vote of 15-0 elected to not play sports in the fall and will move the fall season into 2021. That made Delaware the ninth state to move cross country into early next spring. STORY Member schools were allowed to begin summer activities on July 6 under the DIAA's Return To Play Stage 3. DIAA | EMERGENCY REGULATION 1010 Specific details (start dates, safety measures for resuming practice and competition, regular season schedules, and championships) for sports will be discussed during the DIAA Board of Director's July and August meetings.
District of Columbia The District of Columbia State Athletics Commission on Tursday, July 21 announced that it will not play sports in the fall. RELEASE
Florida The FHSAA on Friday, Aug. 14, voted 11-5 to maintain Aug. 24 as the start date for practices and Sept. 4 as the first day for contests. - Orlando Sentinel (Florida has half a million confirmed coronavirus cases, more than any other nation besides Brazil and India). Schools have until Sept. 18 to opt out. Miami-Dade schools will explore leaving the FHSAA - TCPalm
Another Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14. Florida's Athletic Directors Advisory Committee sees advantages in postponing the start of high school football, and other sports, until Nov. 30. STORY On Thursday, July 23, the FHSAA Board of directors elected to postpone the start of fall sports until Aug. 24. In a meeting that lasted nearly five hours on Monday, July 20, the Board voted 10-5 to reject a proposal to delay football and volleyball -- and stick to the original start date for fall sports, which is July 27. This, even as the state of Florida has more active cases of Coronavirus (316,000) than any state in the country. The Board seems to be in favor of letting local districts devise their own strategies. Another meeting to take up recommendations from the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. The virtual meeting was watched by as many as 4,000 viewers, and not all of them were impressed with the outcome. Meanwhile, a legal fight is brewing between Florida's teachers and state education officials who want to open in-person classes at schools in spite of rising numbers of Coronavirus cases.
Georgia Fulton County Schools became the latest school district to postpone the start of sports to Sept. 14, even as the GHSA is leaving open Sept. 4 as the start date. Rockdale County postponing fall sports. AJC On Aug. 6, the GHSA eliminated preseason football scrimmages, but the first games are still on for Sept. 4. Competitive cheerleading, however, has been postponed to November. GHSA The Board of Trustees met on July 20 and approved a two-week delay on the start of football season, pushing the first slate of games to Sept. 4. Meanwhile, all other fall sports were allowed to maintain their original dates on the calendar. JULY 20 MEETING MINUTES Since summer conditioning began, schools have reported more than 300 cases of coronavirus (from 90 schools) to the GHSA, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Conditioning workouts resumed July 6 and came with a set of recommedations/restrictions. Groups up to 50 people are allowed. There has been no adjustment made so far for the fall. ‘’I continue to be optimistic about our season,’’ GHSA executive director Robin Hines told the Atlanta Constitution-Journal. “Nothing has happened until this point that has made us feel like we needed to adjust our calendar at all. I say that with the caveat that it could change tomorrow. All guidance is fluid. We’ll continue to look at the data and see where it takes us.’’
Hawaii On Aug. 5, the HHSAA postponed most fall sports, including cross country, to 2021 in part due to a recent spike in cases that is still far below nearly every other state. Air riflery and bowling are still allowed to proceed. Honolulu-Advertiser The HHSAA has pushed the start of fall practices back "two to four weeks" with most sports not expected to start until September, and possibly October. If sports cannot resume before Oct. 19, the HHSAA will come up with a new plan.
Idaho On Sept. 1, the Moscow School Board voted to bring back the fall sports season after initially deciding to go intramurals-only in the fall. STORY IDHSAA released a new set of FALL SPORTS COVID GUIDELINES The first day of fall sports practice is set for Aug. 10. The state board will allow local school districts to make their own plans on reopening for the fall.
Illinois The IHSA announced its modified 2020-21 calendar plan, July 29, that will create four seasons and move football from the fall to the spring. Cross country will operate in the fall, between Aug. 10 and Oct. 26. RELEASE
The Governor's office on Wednesday released guidelines that indicate that cross country may be able to move forward in the fall with significantly reduced meet sizes. An announcement from IHSA is coming this afternoon (July 29). The Illinois Elementary School Association announced the cancellation of most fall sports, which could be a sign that IHSA is close behind. The two organizations are usually in lock stem and are obviously contending with the same set of statewide instructions. A decision on high school sports is expecte by Wednesday. On July 14, The IHSA announced that it will defer to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois State Board of Education and the Governor's Office on all Return To Play Guidelines.
Indiana The new IHSAA commissioner, Paul Niedig, talked at length to the Indianapolis Star about fall sports and he said "all options are on the table." INDY STAR The IHSAA on July 29 announced that it is moving ahead with all fall sports without delays or postponements. However, the Indianapolis Public Schools is likely to be left out as it goes back to online instruction. And 16 schools in Northwest Indiana have paused summer workouts.
An IHSAA Statement from June 5 offered Return-To-School Guidelines. State series cross country events for the sectionals, regionals and semi-states were assigned meet locations and dates at the IHSAA Executive Committee meeting on June 25. Practice for fall cross country starts Aug. 3. Guidance For Assessing Cardiac Issues Related To COVID-19
Iowa Aug. 11 Webinar for Return To Competition and General Guidelines for Cross Country On July 29, the IHSAA and IGHSAU outlined Guidelines For Fall Sports Twenty-six high school baseball and softball teams have been shut down in the midst of the season due to confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases. Des Moines Register Out of season coach-athlete contact as well as strength and conditioning activities began July 1. Iowa high school baseball and softball teams, who typically play a "summer" season, have been playing games since mid-June and are going play postseason tournaments throughout July. Cross country practice is set to begin Aug. 10 and the season starts on Aug. 24.
Kansas On Sept. 1, Wichita Public Schools changed course and approved of re-starting fall sports. STORY On Thursday, Aug. 21, Wichita Public Schools announced that it will not conduct fall sports. STORY | The Kansas City School Board has chosen to suspend high school athletics in the fall. STORY On July 22, KSHSAA released a statement called Considerations For A Return To School Activities, outlining best practices and calling on each school to devise a risk mitigation strategy.
Kentucky By a vote of 5-2, Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville) elected to move forward with a phased in approach to high school fall sports. STORY The KHSAA board voted 16-2 to proceed with fall sports, but the Governor has not yet weighed in on the recommendation. Sports are set to begin on Aug. 24. “We continue to look for the best way to return to competition while doing so in a safe manner,” said Julian Tackett, Commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. The Board of Control approved fall sports to begin on Aug. 24. Issued on July 14, the KHSAA's HEALTHY AT SPORTS POSITION STATEMENT - "This is a very fluid situation, and Kentucky data and discussions need to drive Kentucky decisions for the betterment of all involved in high school sports and sport-activities, as well as middle schools."
Louisiana LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine penned a letter to athletes and parents indicating a desire to conduct fall sports if possible. Practice can begin when the state reaches Phase 3 of re-opening and games can start at Phase 4. Football has been delayed until October. Cross country appears ready to start on Aug. 31. Aug. 7 LHSAA guidelines have been updated and are intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. LHSAA's GUIDANCE FOR OPENING HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
Maine State health officials requested the MPA to delay its intended rollout for fall sports until concerns are addressed. STORY On. Aug. 18, the MPA delayed its decision on fall sports. On Aug. 3, the MPA offered new guidance for opening fall sports. The MPA announced plans to shorten the fall season, which begins on Sept. 18. Football teams will play a maximum of six games, while soccer and volleyball can play 10. Guidelines have not yet been set for cross country. MPA's SUMMER AND FALL ACTIVITIES GUIDELINES
Maryland The MPSSAA has announced that fall sports may begin on Oct. 7 with competitions allowed to start Oct. 27. On Aug. 4, the MPSSAA announced that it would postpone all fall sports, joining neighbors D.C. and Virginia. RELEASE On June 23, the State Board of Education approved a waiver of interscholastic atheltics regulations so that local schools systems will have the flexibility to work with health experts and navigate their own paths toward re-opening schools and permitting the re-start of sports. MPSSAA | Roadmap For Return To Interscholastic Athletics
Massachusetts On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the MIAA announced a new athletic structure for 2020-21. The approved recommendations include removing football from the fall, while low-risk sports such as cross country will be allowed to continue. Cross country is now slated for Sept. 18 to Nov. 20. Out of Tuesday's (July 21) meeting, the MIAA said it wants to get high school sports up and running by Sept. 14.
Michigan A modified state meet will run over two days and trim the number of overall participants by 700, from 1,972 qualifiers in 2019 to 1,276. On Sept. 3, after restrictions were lifted by the Governor, the MHSAA announced that football and other contacts sports would begin on Sept. 17. Cross country is already under way in the state.
Football has been moved out of the fall and into next spring. Cross country is allowed to continue. AUG. 20 UPDATE On July 29, MHSAA released guidelines for a phased in approach to fall sports. It includes some delays but also a desire to move forward. RELEASE | Cross country protocols include a limit of 70 athletes per race. On July 17, the MHSAA announced that all fall sports will start as originally scheduled, with contingency plans and potential interruptions. RELEASE
Minnesota Oct. 1, by a vote of 10-8, the MSHSL rejected a postseason plan beyond the Oct. 17 sectional meets. MSHSL Cross country is set to begin on Aug. 17 with meets allowable on Aug. 27. The MSHSL on Tuesday, Aug. 4, released a four-season plan that will move football and volleyball into next year and cross country is one of the four sports that will be allowed to proceed in in the fall. RELEASE MSHSL's JUNE 19 UPDATE offers guidance for the summer.
Mississippi Updated Comprehensive Return To Sport Guidelines (8/11) The MHSAA announced this week that there is a job opening for executive director, meaning there is a vacancy there at a pivotal moment when decisions need to be made regarding fall sports. Greenville Public Schools announced it would cancel fall sports. STORY The executive committee met on July 14 and approved a proposal for a fall schedule that would delay the start for two weeks and start football games on Sept. 4. Practice for cross country can begin on Aug. 10 with competition starting Aug. 24.
Missouri Schools will have an option to play an "alternate season" in the spring if they can't safely open in the fall. STORY The MSHSAA is evaluating options for participation in sports for areas that will be restricted to online-only instruction in the fall. RELEASE | Schools have until Sept. 11 to inform the MSHSAA whether or not they will be fielding teams eligible to compete in state championship events (a schooll must complete half of the regular season to qualify). Also, the association is waiving a couple of its by-laws and studying whether schools can compete virtually. MSHSAA The state is looking at possible scenarios for the fall, but for now there have been no changes to the schedule. Local government restrictions and CDC guidelines could dictate modifications.
Montana No spectators will be allowed to attend high school or middle schools sports in the fall in Yellowstone County, which includes the biggest city in the state (Billings). STORY MHSA's July 27 Update for Return To Fall Activities
Nebraska The NSAA is moving ahead with fall sports even as the Omaha School District has called off fall sports through the first semester, which ends Oct. 16. NSAA FALL SEASON GUIDELINES (Aug. 4) The NSAA is planning to begin the fall sports seasons as scheduled, per a July 20 announcement.
Nevada On Thursday, July 23, the NIAA amended its 2020-21 calendar to move fall sports such as cross country into a window that will go from Feb. 20 to April 10. UPDATE 11: Adjustment to Sports Seasons
The NIAA's move was preceeded by an anouncement from the Clark County School District, which encompasses Las Vegas, on Wednesday:
The Clark County School District is suspending NIAA sanctioned sports for all of its member schools effective Wednesday, July 22, 2020, until further notice. Enacting a distance education model for the start of the 2020-2021 school year suspends face-to-face instruction and effectively suspends activities at schools, including NIAA sanctioned sports.
During the suspension, CCSD schools are not to compete in games or contests. Schools are not to conduct practices in NIAA sanctioned sports at any location. Schools are not to allow students or coaches to use the school’s athletic facilities for practices, intramurals, games, or contests in any NIAA sanctioned sport regardless of the affiliation (club or otherwise) of the group seeking to use the facilities.
Additional information will be sent to schools, as it becomes available.
New Hampshire The NHIAA delayed the start of practice for all sports to Sept. 8 and the first cross country meets can start Sept. 18. NHIAA UPDATED GUIDELINES (Aug. 6) NHIAA's SUMMER ACTIVITIES GUIDANCE
New Jersey Nine school districts across the state have opted out of playing fall sports. The NJSIAA released a Phase 1 plan that would delay the start of cross country competition until Oct. 1 and eliminate the Groups and Meet of Champions events at Holmdel Park. The season would conclude with sectionals. All competitions are to be local and there is no out of state travel allowed. Legislation has been signed into law that will allow for a 'Bridge Year' so that some seniors who lost the spring sports season can play again for their high school in 2021 if they attend a New Jersey community college.
New Mexico
The NMAA on Wednesday, Oct. 7, placed a pause on all fall sports competition as the wait for a response from the Governor's office continues. NMAA executive director Sally Marquez said Monday "We are in a holding pattern," waiting on the Gov. to sign off on the start of fall sports. Practices will go on this week, but competitions scheduled for the weekend (Oct. 9-10) are waiting for clarification from the governor. As of Oct. 1, the NMAA wa still waiting for the Gov. to sign off on the fall sports of cross country and volleyball, scheduled to begin on Oct. 5.
A full plan for fall sports was released on Wednesday by the NMAA. Cross country and fall golf are slated to begin on Sept. 14, following all state guidelines. Volleyball will start in October. For the moment, there is a 5 athletes to 1 coach ratio in place for summer training and masks are supposed to be worn. Overnight travel is not likely to be allowed throughout the 2020-21 school year. NMACT | ABQ Academy's Adam Kedge Reacts To Fall Sports Plan On July 9, the NMAA announced that no contact sports will be played in the fall of 2020. That means New Mexico is the first state to formally postpone soccer and football to next spring.
New York On Sept. 15, the school district in Fulton decided it will not be playing in the fall. On Sept. 9, the NYSPHSAA announced that football, volleyball and competitive cheer will be pushed out of the fall and move to a start date of March 1. On Aug. 24, Gov. Cuomo announced that lower-risk sports (cross country, tennis, soccer, field hockey and swimming) can begin practice Sept. 21, following Department of Health-issued guidelines. STORY The winter season will be delayed two weeks, from Nov. 16 to Nov. 30. Gov. Cuomo announced that the fate of fall sports in New York will be determined within the next week. STORY On July 16, the NYSPHSAA released a plan that reduces the fall sports season and eliminates the regional and state championships. A condensed revised schedule would cross country to the spring, if necessary. Cross country (and football) will move into a season from March until May and the regular spring sports will overlap, going from April until June. RELEASE
North Carolina On Aug. 12, the NCHSAA announced approval of a new calendar that delays the start of fall sports even further, with a cross country season that will now begin on Nov. 4 and run through Jan. 8. Cross country teams will be permitted 10 meets during the new season. It is unclear whether there will be a state meet after Jan. 8. Football will be moved to February. On Aug. 6, the NCHSAA announced that the Governor's extension of Stage 2 re-opening to at least Sept. 11 will mean sports cannot start on Sept. 1. The NCHSAA will re-evaluate and plans to make an announcement by Aug. 17. NCHSAA On July 15, the NCHSAA delayed the start of fall sports two additional weeks, to Sept. 1. RELEASE
North Dakota On July 24, the NDHSAA released a set of guidelines for fall sports. On July 16, the NDHSAA Board unanimously voted to move ahead with the regular start of fall sports. That means an early-to-mid August rollout for all sports, including football. However, each school district has the option to not start sports. RELEASE
Ohio Gov. DeWine reversed course and announced this week that all fall sports, including football, will be allowed to proceed. STORY Aug. 13 update. Cross country still allowed to continue while contact sports will not. The Early Season Cross Country Invitational, set for Aug. 15, has been canceled out of concerns of the size of the event. Cleveland Metropolitan Schools will not participate in fall sports. In its July 28 update, the OHSAA has classified cross country as a "contact sport" along with football, soccer and field hockey. Although practices for all sports may begin on Aug. 1, scrimmages and contests between different schools are prohibited for the contact sports. Golf, tennis and volleyball are considered "non-contact" sports. JULY 28 UPDATE The OHSAA seems determined to proceed with a plan of starting fall sports on Aug. 1. COLUMBUS DISPATCH Compounding efforts to make decision about sports in the fall, the OHSAA Board decided to remove executive director Jerry Snogdrass, apparently for disagreements and friction within the office staff. COLUMBUS DISPATCH. Interim director Bob Goldring is in charge now. Dr. Chris Peltier offered guidance for reopening schools safely at Gov. Mike DeWine's July 3 press conference. "The risks of not being in school outweigh the risks of being there," Dr. Peltier said.
Oklahoma In Oklahoma City, middle school sports have been placed on hold while high school sports have been green-lighted to proceed. STORY OSSAA's GUIDELINES FOR RETURING TO PARTICIPATION (July 27 update)
Oregon Oregon's fall sports season has been moved to March. During "Season 1," from Aug. 31 to Dec. 27, athletes will be permitted to train, practice and in some cases compete in accordance with local mandates. OSAAToday
On Tuesday, July 28, Gov. Kate Brown laid out the metrics for returning students to the classroom in the state, and the bar for returning is high, indicating it could be November, or longer, before many schools could open. The positivity rate needs to drop to 5 percent statewide. The OSAA on Wednesday, July 22 released a memo that stated that the Board is advocating for the safe return of sports and activities but that decision will ultimately be made within the guidelines that come from the Governor's office, the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Education. As it stands now, practice for fall sports may begin on Aug. 17 and the first date of competition for cross country, volleyball and soccer is Sept. 23. Football is currently prohibited.
Pennsylvania The Susquehanna Community School District is pausing fall sports. STORY The Philadelphia Catholic League, one of the most powerful sports leagues in Pennsylvania, has chosen to cancel fall sports. STORY | The Philadelphia Public League, Del Val League, Friends League and individual school districts Cheltenham, Norristown, Pottstown and Phoenixville also have postponed fall sports. On Aug. 21, the PIAA voted 25-5 to reject the Governor's non-binding recommendation that youth sports be delayed until 2021 and push forward with fall sports. With a final meeting set for Friday, Aug. 21, all indicators point to moving ahead on the traditional fall schedule, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The PIAA Board of Directors on Friday, Aug. 7 announced after an emergency meeting their intention to press on with fall sports in spite of the Governor's recommendation to delay them until Jan. 1. The PIAA hopes to open a dialogue with the governor and work with state's top executive to find a path forward with school sports. There will be a two-week delay at the start.
Return To Competition Guidelines (July 28) The PIAA offered guidance on the wearing of masks during the out of season voluntary workouts that are happening. FAQ | RETURN TO PLAY GUIDANCE
Rhode Island RIIL Sept. 5 announcement The RIIL decided that football and volleyball will be moved out of the fall and into 2021. The first day of practice for fall sports has been delayed from Aug. 17 to Sept. 14. A press conference is coming soon to explain the state's plan more throroughly. LETTER FROM RIIL
South Carolina BEST PRACTICES FOR RETURN TO FALL SPORTS On July 15, the SCHSL voted 14-2 in favor of delaying the start of fall practices from July 31 to Aug. 17. The first football games could be played Sept. 11. A proposal to move football to the spring was refused. The SCHSL has a comprehensive Guide For Returning To High School Sponsored Team Sports. For cross country and track, the guide states "runners should maintain at least 6 feet of distancing between individuals, no grouping (i.e. starts and finishes)."
South Dakota COVID-19 Health and Safety Issues Rule modifications for cross country include separating team starting boxes by six feet. The Board of Directors of the SDHSAA on Wednesday, July 22 approved a plan to proceed with fall sports.
Tennessee Shelby County Superintendent Dr. Joris Ray is at odds with the TSSAA over its July decision to resume school sports. Shelby County, which comprises Memphis, have not been allowed to start practicing yet even as many in the state had football openers last Friday. Ray said he is exploring wherther Shelby County Schools should remain in the TSSAA. “While I recognize that the TSSAA implemented some protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the decision lacked scientific support, did not account for the varying COVID-19 statistics across among counties in Tennessee and most importantly, failed to prioritize the health and safety of the children,” Ray wrote. As many as 120 high school football games are scheduled to be played Aug. 21 in Tennessee as the fall season gets under way.
TSSAA's Board of Control developed a plan for fall football, with a list of safety measures, at its meeting on Wednesday, July 22. TSSAA Return To Play Guidelines.
Texas La Joya ISD became the first multi-school district in the state to suspend high school sports. La Joya is in the far south of the state near the border with Mexico. STORY The Southwest Preparatory Conference, which governs a collection of 18 prep schools in Texas and Oklahoma, announced on Aug. 21 that fall sports will be canceled. That's the first group of schools in the state to arrive at the decision not to play fall sports. On Aug. 7, the UIL revised its plan for the state meet and announced a two-day meet for Nov. 23-24. This story from the Dallas Morning-News illustrates some of the challenges and creativity being applied to hosting cross country meets in Texas. The UIL on Tuesday, July 21, released a new 2020-21 calendar and risk mitigation guidelines for school sports. Cross country for Class 1A to 4A is set to begin on Aug. 17 and Classes 5A and 6A can begin Sept. 7 and the state meet has been set back to Dec. 5. UIL STATEMENT | CROSS COUNTRY CALENDAR The Texas Association of Private and Parocial Schools (TAPPS) announced a delay on fall sports until Sept. 8.
Utah Davis beat Herriman at the first HS football game since the beginning of the pandemic. There were also cross country meets in Utah on Thursday. UHSAA affirmed its stance to start fall sports on time in a July 28 statement. The UHSAA released a statement on July 9 that indicated plans to move forward with school-based sports on schedule, in accordance with a plan to return to in-person or blended learning at schools across the state. UHSAA
Vermont Football is canceled for 2020 but cross country may continue with meets. Practice cannot begin until school starts (Sept. 8) and it will be a minimum of two weeks until competition is allowed. All schools will begin at Step II and must reach Step III in order to compete. Fall Sports Guidance VPA Q&A with Dr. Lee and Dr. Raszka on Coronavirus infection in kids Preseason practice was delayed by the VPA but is currently set to begin on Aug. 10. With the lowest number of known cases among the 50 states, fall sports could commence in late August or early September.
Virginia The VHSL on July 27 announced that it will postpone all sports until December 14 and cross country will be moved to next February. VHSL | PRESS CONFERENCE WITH DR. BILLY HAUN VHSL's recommended Guidelines for Reopening Sports/Activities.
Washington Cross country will take place between March 1 and May 1 with a state championship "culminating event." There is also an alternate season for the fall, but it is expected that few schools would opt for it or be allowed under local guidelines. The Spokane school district has opted to move fall sports to season 3, which begins next March. Others are expected to follow, pushing cross country into 2021. Late on Tuesday, July 28, the WIAA issued some revisions to its new calendar, mostly adjustments to dates. The WIAA released a modified 2020-21 schedule that will divide the school year into four seasons. The "high risk" sport of football will move to early spring. Cross country will be allowed to go in the fall, but only for those who are in an areas where certain benchmarks are met. Those benchmarks, which are likely to align with the governor's opening phases, will be determined by July 28. If the benchmarks cannot be met by enough schools, cross country will move to Season 3. MODIFIED CALENDAR WIAA recommendations for cross country (6/22) break down the differences between Phases 2, 3 and 4. | OVERALL GUIDELINES
West Virginia Cross country modifications will limit starting line to 35 runners per race. Updated Summer Guidance from the WVSSAC was issued on July 27. Final decisions on whether to open school facilities will be made county by county. RELEASE
Wisconsin The state's 513 high schools have declared their intentions to play sports in the fall or in the alternate 2021 season - WIAAWI Here is the breakdown for cross country - Boys Cross Country – 82% (349 Fall), 18% (75 Alternate Fall) The state's largest school district, Milwaukee Public Schools, have suspended fall sports indefinitely. STORY Racine, Appleton, Green Bay, Ea Claire and Madison are also among the districts that have postponed fall sports. The WIAA has outlined plans for an "alternate" season in spring of 2021 for schools that opt out or cannot finish the fall season as scheduled. The alternate season for cross country would go from March 15 to May 3. Winter and spring seasons would be shortened. WIAAWI The Badger Conference has joined the Big 8 in cancelling fall sports. Football has been moved to the spring, but cross country is allowed to continue. On Thursday, July 23, the WIAA Board of Control voted to press forward with fall sports but will delay the start dates. Cross country practice may begin on Aug. 17. In an effort to maximize flexibility, those schools that cannot start sports in the fall will be allowed to play them during the spring, although the details of that have not been worked out. It is also unclear whether the fall's state championships will be modified. WIAAWI The Big 8 Conference, which includes a collection of 10 high schools around Madison, has voted unanimously to cancel conference competitions this fall. The WIAA is weighing a proposal to move fall sports to the spring, and spring sports to next summer. SUPERIOR TELEGRAM WIAA's SPORT SPECIFIC SUMMER GUIDELINES The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health released a study based on questionaires with more than 3,000 adolescent athletes that concluded "COVID-19 related school closures and sport cancellations in Wisconsin appear to be associated with significant, negative impacts on the health and well-being of Wisconsin adolescent athletes."
Wyoming WYHSAA's GUIDELINES and RECOMMENDATIONS More news |
