The news was expected and didn't really catch anyone off guard, but that still doesn’t lessen the force of the blow.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced Friday afternoon that it has canceled the winter sports season’s state championship tournaments and has postponed all high-risk sports until further notice.
The NYSPHSAA made their decisions following a meeting with executive directors from all 11 sections in the state.
High-risk sports are boys and girls basketball, boys and girls ice hockey, wrestling and competitive cheerleading. While high-risk sports have been postponed until receiving the OK from state officials, low- and moderate-risk sports will be continued as permitted. That start of the winter season for those sports (bowling, track and field, rifle, skiing and boys swimming) is scheduled for Jan. 4.
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“I knew it was coming,” Section VI Executive Director Mark DiFilippo said. “I think the positive out of it is we can now push our winter season back further and give our kids a modified season locally. We’re going to work to give these kids as quality experience as we can at this time.”
“When examining the feasibility of winter state championships, it became apparent that travel and overnight accommodations would create a unique challenge for our member schools,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, executive director for NYSPHSAA. “At this time, we must prioritize maximizing student participation without a focus on championship events. The association’s decision to postpone all high-risk sports until authorization is granted was reinforced by the increase in infection and hospitalization rates across the state.”
The start of the Covid-19 pandemic last March KO’d the remaining winter sports state tournaments – boys and girls basketball along with boys ice hockey and boys and girls bowling. So, it’s a big deal that NYSPHSAA has come to the realization that state tournaments for this winter sports season need to be canceled before Christmas. The New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association had already announced the cancellation of its state tournament for winter sports.
“The cancellation of the winter state championships (bowling, basketball, boys swimming & diving, competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, indoor track & field, ice hockey, skiing, and wrestling) addresses membership concerns associated with increased travel, hotel accommodations, transportation logistics and the planning for meals,” Zayas said. “Furthermore, venue capacity limitations and social distancing restrictions make it increasingly difficult to ensure the safety of student-athletes, coaches, and families.”
LECOM Harborcenter was slated to host the state boys hockey championships last March and in March 2021. LECOM won the latest bid to remain host through 2024. Kenmore West also was scheduled to host the gymnastics state championships.
There’s a perception that NYSPHSAA has a say when high-risk sports can start. However, it’s all in the hands of state officials, including the governor’s office and the department of health.
“Nothing new on the sports guidance,” state budget director Rob Mujica said. “Until we see a decline [in Covid-19 cases], high-risk sports aren’t going to happen.”
Considering the Covid rates statewide were among the lowest nationally back in August yet none of the high-risk in fall received the OK to play, how low do infection rates need to be in order for the state to green light high-risk sports?
“We have to continue to be patient, and I know people don’t want to hear that and I understand why,” Zayas said. “But the reality of the situation it’s been taking place for the last eight months. I know we’re all tired. I know we’re all ready to return back to some sense of normalcy. But right now, we have to rely upon our government officials to give us authorization when they determine that it’s appropriate.”
“I’ll be surprised if we play,” Williamsville North boys hockey coach Bob Rosen said. “I hope we do, and I keep hoping. … I think with a vaccine and the kids going back to school we’ll be able to play March 1 and have a 2-month season. Everything would be in the section which makes sense and cuts back on the risk of traveling. I think that would be a great thing if we’re able to pull that off.”
A really late but short winter season for the high-risk sports?
“We’re going to try to get everything in best we can,” DiFilippo said when asked if high-risks got the go-ahead in February if there’d be enough time for a season.
“Maybe we push some things back,” he continued. “We’ll see. We can’t do anything until we get authorization from department of health and governor’s office.”
St. Joe’s basketball coach Gabe Michael, a Covid-19 survivor, remains hopeful there will be a season for high-risk sports.
“I didn’t expect to have a state playoff,” he said. “If we play it’ll be all local. I hope we do. It’s out of my hands. I hope the kids stay positive and don’t let it get to them.”
