NYSPHSAA officially announces delay of Fall Sports season start; Fall Championships cancelled due to COVID-19
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic creating yet another uptick in overall cases throughout the country as we hit the summer break across the county, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association on Thursday has officially announced the delay to this upcoming Fall sports season, as well as the official cancellation to the Fall sports championships.
The NYSPHSAA has also announced a secondary plan to implement a condensed schedule slated for the beginning of 2021 if there are to remain no sports to be played, due to the pandemic. The decision comes when the NYSPHSAA COVID-19 Task Force convened as a working group for the third time, Thursday morning.
“As the state considers reopening, it is unrealistic to believe athletic seasons can start on August 24th as originally scheduled,” said NYSPHSAA President Paul Harrica. “The priority will continue to be on the educational process and a return to learning in the safest way possible.”
The decision includes, along with the postponement of the Fall sports date until September 21, and the cancellation of Regional and State championship events: Waiving the seven-day practice rule, maintaining current practice requirements, encouraging geographic scheduling for games, and the option to hold off-season conditioning workouts under the permission by state officials.
“We recognize this is challenging for everyone, but the decisions made at the State level are based upon data and statewide infection rates all in an effort to stop the spread of COVID and reopen responsibly,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas said. “At this time, Department of Health guidance presented on July 13th prohibits interscholastic athletics across the state. The Association will continue to follow state guidance and will work collectively with State officials to ensure high school athletics will start up responsibly in the future. As an association, we must be willing to be flexible and continue to explore all options with students’ safety as our main focus.”
With COVID-19 impacting all the different New York regions through the past several months, there is a new plan in place to full condense the 2020-2021 High School sports season, if the pandemic continues to interrupt or impact the Fall sports season.
The plan entailed lists the following in a tentative basis:
Season I: Winter Sports
Dates: January 4-March 13 (10 weeks)
Sports: Boys & Girls Basketball, Bowling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Indoor Track & Field, Skiing, Boys Swimming. (Wrestling & Competitive Cheerleading may be moved to Season II or Season III, due to high risk nature)
Season II: Fall Sports
Dates: March 1-May 8 (10 weeks)
Sports: Football, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Boys & Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming, Boys & Girls Volleyball.
Season III: Spring Sports
Dates: April 5-June 12 (10 weeks)
Sports: Baseball, Softball, Golf, Lacrosse, Boys & Girls Tennis, Track & Field.
The next meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force has yet to be determined. For a complete look at the official press release from the NYSPHSAA, head over to www.nysphsaa.org.
