NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS REQUESTS SPORTS BE DELAYED UNTIL JAN. 1, 2021 (2020-08-29)
Valley Sports Report ALBANY - Citing a concern over possible disruptions to "in-person learning for students," the New York State Council of School Superintendents has requested that Governor Andrew Cuomo delay the start of all high school sports until Jan. 1, 2021.
On Monday, Cuomo announced that low-risk athletics - cross country, soccer, tennis, and field hockey - could begin play Sept. 21.
On Wednesday, the NYSCOSS asked Cuomo to reconsider his decision in a letter signed by by executive director Charles S. Dedrick.
"Superintendents have put their plans out to the public and the vast majority are set for some level of in-person learning starting in a couple of weeks," the letter said. "Authorizing school athletics could jeopardize successful resumption of in-person learning for students."
The letter went on to express sympathy with students and families who are eager for athletics to return.
"We are not currently calling for cancelling all athletics for the school year," the letter read. "We would request a delay in school athletics until Jan. 1. As we approach the new year, we should collaborate with all stakeholders to develop and agree on a plan to consolidate all three athletic seasons into the second semester so that student athletes have an equitable opportunity to participate in the sport of their choice."
The New York State Public High Schools Athletic Association's COVID Task Force is scheduled to meet early next week.
Practices for the fall season had originally been slated to begin Monday with games to follow in early September. Now, teams are still not allowed to hold offseason or preseason workouts until Sept. 21 and all out-of-region competition has been forbidden until Oct. 16 at the earliest.
According to the governor's guidance, high-risk team sports can begin small group workouts on Sept. 21. The state said it will re-evaluate competitive play in those sports by no later than Dec. 31.
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