NYSPHSAA officially announces postponement of State start for high-risk winter sports, including basketball and wrestling

**OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE NYSPHAA**
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LATHAM — The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has announced the start date for high risk winter sports, such as basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling, will be moved to January 4, 2021.  Until authorization is granted by state officials, NYSPHSAA member schools are not permitted to participate in sports determined to be high risk by the New York State Department of Health. 

“The NYSPHSAA membership has expressed concerns pertaining to the increase in infection rates,” said NYSPHSAA Executive Director, Dr. Robert Zayas. “Minimizing risk and exposure to COVID-19 is a top priority of the Association. We continue to make these types of decisions based upon readily available information and communication with state officials.”

Low and moderate risk winter sport practices for bowling, gymnastics, indoor track & field, skiing, and swimming & diving are still on schedule to begin on November 30th for those schools and sections who have determined it feasible to host interscholastic athletics at that time. Regular season games/contests can begin for low and moderate risk fall sports once student-athletes have participated in the required number of practices as per NYSPHSAA bylaws.

“NYSPHSAA’s leadership recognizes the numerous challenges interscholastic programs are experiencing and the obstacles associated with resuming high risk sports,” said NYSPHSAA President Julie Bergman. “While it is certainly the goal of the Association to provide all students with the ability to participate in interscholastic athletics we must remain steadfast in our decisions to ensure the safety of our athletes is our focus.”

At this time, all winter NYSPHSAA State Championship events remain as scheduled.