Another setback has been dealt to high school student-athletes in New York State hoping for a prompt start to winter sports, including boys and girls basketball, volleyball, wrestling and swimming. NYSPHSAA officers have delayed the start of the winter sports season from November 16 to November 30. The rationale was to give schools and sections more time to complete the fall athletic season.
No changes were made to the previously-announced schedules for the start of fall sports in New York. On August 24, Gov. Andrew Cuomo provided authorization for fall sports to begin on Monday, September 21. Cuomo will permit low and moderate risk sports to start in three weeks, while high-risk fall sports will be prohibited from any games or contests until authorization is granted from New York State on or before December 31. Low and moderate risk sports will be restricted to playing games in their own league and/or section until October 19.
“I am encouraged by the work of our association and state officials to provide the opportunity for schools to offer interscholastic athletics for students this fall,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “Unfortunately all sports will look different and participation will not be the same as it was a year ago, but students will have the chance to represent their school, be around their friends and coaches, and experience a sense of normalcy this fall. It is critical that student-athletes be leaders in their schools and communities and strictly abide by COVID-19 safety protocols.”
With regional differences, schools and areas will continue to be impacted differently by the COVID-19 crisis. At the discretion of the NYSPHSAA officers, if the fall sports seasons are interrupted or impacted by the COVID-19 crisis (i.e. state official guidance, school closings, etc.), then a condensed plan could still be implemented. That decision will be made by the NYSPHSAA officers with the information available at that time.
