The New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced Thursday that the state's fall sports season would be delayed and fall regional and state championships canceled. Those were part of a detailed plan to alter the 2020-21 high school sports calendar in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
"As the state considers reopening, it is unrealistic to believe athletic seasons can start on Aug. 24 as originally scheduled," NYSPHSAA president Paul Harrica said. "The priority will continue to be on the educational process and a return to learning in the safest way possible."
Under the NYSPHSAA's revised plan, fall sports will not begin until at least Sept. 21. Fall regional and state championship events will not take place, the seven-day practice rule has been waived and schools will be encouraged to schedule with geographic considerations in mind. See the
complete release here (PDF).
The NYSPHSAA also provided a condensed season plan in case fall sports seasons are interrupted. In that scenario, fall, winter and spring season would all be packed into a six month period between Jan. 4 and June 12, 2021.
New York has been by far the most hard hit state in the country when it comes to coronavirus cases and deaths. According to worldometer, over 430,000 Empire State residents have contracted the virus and over 32,000 have died.
New Rochelle celebrates a victory in last year's NYSPHSAA Class AA championship game at the Carrier Dome.
Photo by Chris Cecere
