High School Sports

IHSA Return to Activities Plan gets formal approval from Illinois Department of Public Health

Belleville East sophomore Quin Gray competes during the cross country season last fall.
Belleville East sophomore Quin Gray competes during the cross country season last fall. Provided

It’s official.

The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday officially approved the Illinois High School Association’s Return to Activities plan, paving the way for athletes in the fall sports, to begin practice.

Under the revamped IHSA 2020-21 activities schedule and Return to Activities plan submitted by the IHSA to the IDPH on July 29, athletes in the fall sports which include golf, cross country, girls tennis and girls swimming and diving, will have their season run from Aug. 10-Oct. 24.

Despite not having final approval from the IDPH, schools were given the option of beginning practice on Aug. 10 or waiting for final approval of the Return to Activities Plan.

High school sports in Illinois had been shut down since March 12 due to the Covid--19 pandemic. The pandemic caused the remainder of the IHSA boys basketball postseason as well as the entire spring season to be canceled..

2020-21 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SEASONS

Boys/girls golf: Fall Aug. 10 to Oct. 24

Girls tennis: Fall Aug. 10 to Oct. 24

Boys/girls cross country: Fall Aug. 10 to Oct. 24

Girls swimming & diving: Fall Aug. 10 to Oct. 24

Boys & girls basketball: Winter Nov. 16 to Feb. 13

Wrestling: Winter Nov. 16 to Feb. 13

Boys swimming & diving: Winter Nov. 16 to Feb. 13

Cheerleading: Winter Nov. 16 to Feb. 13

Dance: Winter Nov. 16 to Feb. 13

Boys/girls bowling: Winter Nov. 16 to Feb. 13

Girls gymnastics: Winter Nov. 16 to Feb. 13

Football: Spring Feb. 15 to May 1

Boys soccer: Spring Feb. 15 May 1

Girls volleyball: Spring Feb. 15 to May 1

Girls badminton: Spring Feb. 15 to May 1

Boys gymnastics: Spring Feb. 15 to May 1

Boys/girls water polo: Spring Feb. 15 to May 1

Baseball: Summer May 3 to June 26

Softball: Summer May 3 to June 26

Boys/girls track & field: Summer May 3 to June 26

Girls soccer: Summer May 3 to June 26

Boys volleyball: Summer May 3 to June 26

Boys/girls lacrosse: Summer May 3 to June 26

Boys tennis: Summer May 3 to June 26

This story was originally published August 15, 2020 at 6:01 PM.

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