High-risk winter sports basketball, ice hockey, wrestling and competitive cheerleading may not start until Jan. 4, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced on Monday. The start date had been Nov. 30, which is when low- and moderate-risk sports will be permitted.
Dr. Robert Zayas, the NYSPHSAA executive director, pointed out that Jan. 4 is an arbitrary date, because the association is waiting authorization from the New York State Department of Health. And if authorization should come, Jan. 4 was set as a target date that enables members enough time to prepare for the winter sports seasons.
Even though he described the relations between his organization and the DOH as positive with an open dialogue, Dr. Zayas said that there is understanding that that state has priorities in dealing with Covid-19 and that "high school sports is not a top priority."
People are also reading…
At the same time, he said he remained optimistic that "participation opportunities will be provided for student-athletes in all sports before the end of the school year.”
"Again, everything is subject to change," he reminded, adding that in the face of uncertainty, “we have to become comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Before Jan. 4, athletes in high-risk winter sports are allowed non-contact practices such things as skill development drills and conditioning. A minimum of six practices must be held before athletes can participate in a scrimmage or competition with outsiders.
Although there is no outright ban, the NYSPHSAA is discouraging competitions with teams and athletes outside the state.
Even if full participation is authorized by the state in high-risk sports, the decision to participate is up to each of the 11 sectional governing bodies as well as their member school districts.
Low- and moderate-risk winter sport practices (bowling, gymnastics, indoor track & field, skiing, and swimming & diving) are scheduled to begin on Nov. 30 if feasible. Regular-season competition can begin in those sports provided the required number of practices are held as required by NYSPHSAA bylaws.
State championship competitions in the winter sports still are on the schedule, pending guidance from the state.
“We are not going to cancel prematurely,” Dr. Zayas said.
Precautions required for the fall sports season because of the DOH and NYSPHSAA guidelines ruled out football competition, although boys and girls soccer, field hockey, tennis, golf, girls swimming, gymnastics, cross country and field hockey were permitted with some limitations.
Feedback to the NYSHSAA indicated that it was “overall, a positive experience for student-athletes and schools,” even though state championship competitions in fall sports were not held.
