The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced on July 16 it will delay the official start date of the Fall 2020 sports season until September 21, 2020. The season was originally set to begin August 24.
The association that oversees interscholastic sports in New York State also voted to:
- Cancel fall regional and state championships
- Waive the seven-day practice rule
- Maintain current practice requirements
- Encourage geographic scheduling for games & contests
- Grant schools the option, if permitted by state officials, to offer off-season conditioning workouts.
NYSPHSAA officials said that if the fall sports season continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency, a condensed season would be considered to accommodate as many sports as possible after Jan. 1, 2021.
Condensed Seasons
The Condensed Season plan would entail the following, with the stipulated dates being tentative.
Season I (Winter Sports)
- Dates: Jan. 4-Mar. 13 (Week 27-36) 10 Weeks
- Sports: basketball (girls & boys), bowling (girls & boys), gymnastics, ice hockey (girls & boys), indoor track & field (girls & boys), skiing (girls & boys), swimming (boys), *wrestling, *competitive cheer.
* Because of high risk nature of wrestling and competitive cheer, sports may have to be moved to Season II or season III.
Season II (Fall Sports)
- Dates: Mar. 1-May 8 (Week 35-44) 10 Weeks
- Sports: football, cross country (girls & boys), field hockey, soccer (girls & boys), swimming (girls), volleyball (girls & boys), Unified bowling.
Note: Weather will have an impact upon outdoor sports in some parts of the state in March and potentially early April. Girls Tennis moved to Season III.
Season III (Spring Sports)
- Dates: Apr. 5-Jun. 12 (Week 40-49) 10 Weeks
- Sports: baseball, softball, golf (girls & boys), lacrosse (girls & boys), tennis (girls & boys), outdoor track & field (girls & boys), Unified basketball.
Please note that all dates listed above are tentative. All decisions regarding a return to interscholastic sports require the approval of the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Education Department. The district will continue to update families as new information is made available.