July 29, 2020 at 4:44 p.m.
Scrimmages suspended
OHSAA
Scrimmages suspended
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Practices in the Buckeye State are set to begin on Saturday.
The possibility of playing contact sports against other schools took a hit on Tuesday.
In a memo sent to school superintendents, principals and athletic administrators on Tuesday, the OHSAA has suspended scrimmages between schools for four sports it deems high contact.
“We are on track for the contact sports of football, soccer, field hockey and cross country to begin practices (Friday),” Bob Goldring, OHSAA’s interim executive director said in the memo. “We are waiting more guidance from the Governor’s Office and Department of Health on when school vs. school competition can begin and are hopeful of that permission being granted for our normal contest dates later in August.
“To that end, school vs. school scrimmages are suspended. We do not anticipate that suspension changing soon and there remains the possibility that no scrimmages will be permitted in the contact sports of football, soccer and field hockey.”
The memo also said the low- or non-contact sports — golf, girls tennis and volleyball — will begin practices on Saturday and are on track to have scrimmages and contests between schools.
Additionally, the OHSAA is continuing its conversations as to whether or not field hockey and/or cross country can be placed into the low- or non-contact category. The main concern with cross country is the congestion of the start line for races and the inability to keep the recommended 6-foot social distance.
“Our discussions with the Governor’s Office are clear … If we want our student-athletes to learn the lifelong lessons and receive the social, emotional and physical benefits that the privilege of participating in education-based interscholastic athletes programs provide, we all have to be accountable for following all mandates and requirements,” Goldring’s memo said. “By not following the mandates and requirements, we are putting our student athletes at risk of not only contracting and/or spreading COVID-19 but also at risk of losing the season for themselves, their families, their teammates, their schools and their communities.
“Mandates and requirements put into place must be followed in order for the Governor’s Office to continue to allow us to participate.”
Under current permissible dates, boys and girls golf are set to begin contests Aug. 5 and volleyball Aug. 21.
Cross country and football are tentatively set to begin Aug. 24.
The possibility of playing contact sports against other schools took a hit on Tuesday.
In a memo sent to school superintendents, principals and athletic administrators on Tuesday, the OHSAA has suspended scrimmages between schools for four sports it deems high contact.
“We are on track for the contact sports of football, soccer, field hockey and cross country to begin practices (Friday),” Bob Goldring, OHSAA’s interim executive director said in the memo. “We are waiting more guidance from the Governor’s Office and Department of Health on when school vs. school competition can begin and are hopeful of that permission being granted for our normal contest dates later in August.
“To that end, school vs. school scrimmages are suspended. We do not anticipate that suspension changing soon and there remains the possibility that no scrimmages will be permitted in the contact sports of football, soccer and field hockey.”
The memo also said the low- or non-contact sports — golf, girls tennis and volleyball — will begin practices on Saturday and are on track to have scrimmages and contests between schools.
Additionally, the OHSAA is continuing its conversations as to whether or not field hockey and/or cross country can be placed into the low- or non-contact category. The main concern with cross country is the congestion of the start line for races and the inability to keep the recommended 6-foot social distance.
“Our discussions with the Governor’s Office are clear … If we want our student-athletes to learn the lifelong lessons and receive the social, emotional and physical benefits that the privilege of participating in education-based interscholastic athletes programs provide, we all have to be accountable for following all mandates and requirements,” Goldring’s memo said. “By not following the mandates and requirements, we are putting our student athletes at risk of not only contracting and/or spreading COVID-19 but also at risk of losing the season for themselves, their families, their teammates, their schools and their communities.
“Mandates and requirements put into place must be followed in order for the Governor’s Office to continue to allow us to participate.”
Under current permissible dates, boys and girls golf are set to begin contests Aug. 5 and volleyball Aug. 21.
Cross country and football are tentatively set to begin Aug. 24.
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