At the June 10th and June 30th NYSPHSAA COVID-19 Task Force meetings, six potential scenarios were discussed that could occur as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. These proposals should serve as a
“starting point” or “framework” to assist the Task Force in providing guidance and recommendations,
if needed.
Until guidance and direction is provided by Governor Cuomo and the New York State Education Department, nothing can be finalized or decided upon by NYSPHSAA. At this time, there is no
definitive date for a decision to be made.
State Championships/ Post Season:
The top priority shall be the safety of all associated with interscholastic athletics, followed by engaging students, with championships being a low priority. The ability of NYSPHSAA to host a state
championship will be contingent upon the social distancing restrictions in place, the severity of confirmed cases in geographic regions throughout the state, the number of Sections hosting Sectional
tournaments and the ability of schools to travel to a centralized location. Various solutions could be utilized for post season play; i.e. normal 11 Section Post-Season, limited Section participation, Upstate & Downstate Championships, Regional Championships only, Sectional Championships only, etc.
Fan Attendance:
In a recent survey conducted by NYSPHSAA of nearly 6,000 superintendents, principals, athletic directors and coaches, fan attendance rated very low in areas of importance; safety of students rated the highest. Fan attendance at games and contests will be dedicated by social distancing restrictions, local and state
health department declarations.
Other Items To Be Considered:
- Practice requirements
- Protocol/ procedures if a student-athlete or coach becomes sick
- Screening for student-athletes and coaches
- Invitational Tournaments
- Potentially extending spring season into July
POTENTIAL SCENARIOS
The information below should ONLY serve as a “starting point” or “framework” to assist the Task Force in providing guidance and recommendations, if needed. The scenarios were developed by members of the NYSPHSAA COVID-19 Task Force to address potential scenarios that could occur as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Scenario #1
Schools open for in-person learning; includes athletic participation.
Proposal to address scenario #1 (No changes) No changes needed. All sports played as scheduled with social distancing restrictions.
Scenario #2
Schools open with hybrid education (combination of in-person & virtual learning); includes athletic participation.
Scenario #3
Schools only provide distance learning (virtual education); includes athletic participation. Proposal to address scenario #2 & #3 (Season Adjustments A & B) Depending upon the severity of the social distancing restrictions in place, sports seasons would
need to be adjusted. This proposal would allow for low/moderate risk sports to be played at the beginning of the school year, with higher risk sports played towards the end of the 2020-2021
school year.
SEASON ADJUSTMENT A
Fall season
Dates: Aug. 24-Dec. 5 (Week 8-22) 15 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [LOW RISK] baseball, softball, outdoor track & field (girls & boys), golf (girls & boys), tennis (girls), swimming & diving (girls), lacrosse (girls), bowling (girls & boys).
Note: Outdoor track & field would be held in the fall to separate from football, soccer, and field hockey to maximize participation at start of school year.
Winter season
Dates: Nov. 16-Mar. 20 (Week 20-37) 18 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [MODERATE RISK] basketball (girls & boys), indoor track & field (girls & boys), gymnastics, swimming & diving (boys), ice hockey, skiing (girls & boys), volleyball (girls & boys), Unified bowling.
Spring season
Dates: Mar. 15-June 12 (Week 37-49) 13 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [HIGH RISK/ MODERATE RISK] football, soccer (girls & boys), field hockey, cross country (girls & boys), lacrosse (boys), competitive cheer, tennis (boys), wrestling, Unified basketball.
Note: Participation conflict with football, boys lacrosse and wrestling in the same season; facility conflict with football, boys lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey
— OR —
SEASON ADJUSTMENT B
Fall season I
Dates: Aug. 24-Oct. 17 (Week 8-15) 8 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [LOW RISK] golf (girls & boys), tennis (girls & boys), bowling (girls & boys) cross country (girls & boys).
Fall season II
Dates: Oct. 19-Dec. 12 (Week 16-23) 8 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [LOW RISK] swimming & diving (girls & boys), gymnastics, volleyball (girls & boys)
Winter season
Dates: Jan. 4-Feb. 19 (Week 27-34) 8 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [MODERATE RISK] basketball (girls & boys), indoor track & field (girls & boys), ice hockey, skiing (girls & boys), Unified bowling.
Spring season I
Dates: Mar. 1-Apr. 24 (Week 35-42) 8 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [HIGH RISK/ MODERATE RISK] football, soccer (girls & boys), field hockey, competitive cheer, Unified basketball.
Spring season II
Dates: Apr. 26-June 12 (Week 42-49) 8 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: [HIGH RISK/ MODERATE RISK] baseball, softball, outdoor track & field, lacrosse (girls & boys), wrestling, Unified basketball.
Scenario #4
Schools open with hybrid education (combination of in-person & virtual learning); does NOT include athletic participation at start of school year.
Scenario #5
Schools only provide distance learning; does NOT include athletic participation at start of school year.
Proposal to address scenario #4 & #5 (Condensed seasons)
With social distancing restrictions in place, sports cannot be played at the start of the school year. Instead of canceling the Fall season and start of Winter season, sports seasons will be realigned into three ten-week seasons starting in January, with game limits reduced, and the
potential of having an even later start date and a further condensed season if sports are not able to begin in early January.
This will provide school districts the opportunity to adapt to a new school setting before addressing extracurricular participation challenges.
Season I
Dates: Jan. 4-Mar. 13 (Week 27-36) 10 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: basketball (girls & boys), bowling (girls & boys), gymnastics, ice hockey, indoor track & field (girls & boys), skiing (girls & boys), swimming (boys).
Season II
Dates: Mar. 1-May 8 (Week 35-44) 10 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: football, competitive cheer, wrestling, cross country (girls & boys), field hockey, soccer (girls & boys), swimming (girls), volleyball (girls & boys), Unified bowling.
Note: Weather will have an impact upon outdoor sports in some parts of the state in March and potentially early April.
Season III
Dates: Apr. 5-Jun. 12 (Week 40-49) 10 Weeks *Note: tentative dates
Sports: baseball, softball, golf (girls & boys), lacrosse (girls & boys), tennis (girls & boys), outdoor track & field (girls & boys), Unified basketball.
Scenario #6
Regional differences in start dates & learning platforms.
Proposal to address scenario #6 (Regional Differences)
With regional differences in confirmed COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and school openings, sports seasons should be amended on a Sectional or Regional basis with the
focus of engaging students to provide participation opportunities. No statewide consistency in sport seasons determined. No State Championships contested.
Plaindealer Sports 