Amid new COVID mitigations, IHSA puts a hold on high school winter sports
The Illinois High School Association Board of Directors on Thursday issued guidance to its member schools to pause all IHSA winter sports and activities by Nov. 20.
The decision was made to maintain compliance with the most recent mitigations issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker aimed at stemming the steep spike in COVID-19 cases in Illinois.
“All IHSA sports and activities will cease by November 20 for what we hope is a short-term pause,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Given the rising COVID-19 cases in our state and region, we support the Governor’s mitigations and believe it is imperative for everyone in the state to do their part in following them so that we can return to high school sports participation as soon as possible.”
The decision on Thursday comes three days after the IHSA practices for winter activities were supposed to begin on Nov. 16.
The first day games would be to take place was Nov. 30
But the announcement on Thursday left many disappointed coaches, players and parents.
Collinsville boys basketball coach Darin Lee is not only having to deal with the disappointment of not coaching his team, also not having the opportunity to coach and watch his son Jackson play his senior season as a Kahok.
“ This has been very difficult as a school administrator, coach and parent to witness how these shutdowns are affecting our students. Our varsity basketball players have been incredibly resilient,’’ Lee said. “These current seniors I have been with for 10 years since I have a son Jackson in the class of ‘21. It has been gut wrenching for all the parents to watch so much get taken from them.’’
Last month, the IHSA defied guidance for winter sports that Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health outlined, when it voted to start the season in November.
The IHSA board invited representatives from Gov. Pritzker’s office and the Illinois Department of Public Health to the meeting on Thursday. Both declined.
This story was originally published November 19, 2020 at 3:27 PM.
