Spring football part of IHSA high school sports shuffle as COVID-19 rules tighten
The 2020-21 high school season will appear out of sorts, but there will be a full year of sports.
The IHSA Board of Directors and Executive Director Craig Anderson on Wednesday announced its Return to activities schedule for the upcoming season.
With a few adjustments. This fall will see athletes in girls tennis, golf and cross country compete with traditional fall sports football, girls volleyball and boys soccer being moved to the spring.
The plan has been sent to the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) for final approval.
“This plan, like nearly every aspect of our current lives, remains fluid,” said Anderson. “Changes may come, and if they do, we will be agile while putting safety and students first. It was important that we provide a framework today for our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and officials to begin preparing for the 2020-21 school year.
”The COVID-19 pandemic led the Board to propose unprecedented scheduling changes for the 2020-21 school year. They include playing all sports over the course of truncated fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons. As a result, several team sports will shift to new seasons, including football, boys soccer, and girls volleyball moving from the fall to the spring.”
IHSA boys and girls golf, girls tennis, cross country and girls swimming & diving will remain as fall sports, and can proceed to start on August 10 as scheduled. Per Governor Pritzker’s announcement on Wednesday, fall sports will begin with competition limited to conference opponents and other schools in the same general geographical area.
Schools will be provided more details in the coming week about the scheduling limits, and scheduling will continue to be assessed throughout each season.
The Board also verified that IHSA by-laws do not prevent schools who are conducting remote learning from participating in IHSA sports and activities. Participation will remain a local school and district decision, regardless of the learning plan a high school is utilizing.
The board discussed IHSA activities for the 2020-21 school year but did not take any action. The IHSA’s activity offerings include Bass Fishing, Chess, Debate, Drama & Group Interpretation, Individual Events, Journalism, Music & Scholastic Bowl.
“We believe we can still offer many of our activities via virtual contests,” said Anderson. “The board has asked our staff to investigate those possibilities, and we will report back soon on if and how each can be held.”
The decision Wednesday comes after the cancellation of the remainder of the boys postseason basketball playoffs on March 12 and the entire spring sports season on April 21.
2020-21 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SEASONS
Boys/Girls Golf: Fall August 10 Oct. 24
Girls Tennis: Fall August 10 Oct. 24
Boys/Girls Cross Country: Fall August 10 Oct. 24
Girls Swimming & Diving: Fall August 10 Oct. 24
Boys & Girls Basketball: Winter Nov. 16 Feb. 13
Wrestling: Winter Nov. 16 Feb. 13
Boys Swimming & Diving: Winter Nov. 16 Feb. 13
Cheerleading: Winter Nov. 16 Feb. 13
Dance: Winter Nov. 16 Feb. 13
Boys/Girls Bowling: Winter Winter Nov. 16 Feb. 13
Girls Gymnastics: Winter Nov. 16 Feb. 13
Football: Spring Feb. 15 May 1
Boys Soccer: Spring Feb. 15 May 1
Girls Volleyball: Spring Feb. 15 May 1
Girls Badminton: Spring Feb. 15 May 1
Boys Gymnastics: Spring Feb. 15 May 1
Boys/Girls Water Polo: Spring Feb. 15 May 1
Baseball: Summer May 3 June 26
Softball: Summer May 3 June 26
Boys/Girls Track & Field: Summer May 3 June 26
Girls Soccer: Summer May 3 June 26
Boys Volleyball: Summer May 3 June 26
Boys/Girls Lacrosse: Summer May 3 June 26
Boys Tennis: Summer May 3 June 26
