The Ohio High School Athletic Association messaged its member schools Tuesday afternoon on the current status of the 2020 fall sports season. The spring season was cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The OHSAA and interim executive director Bob Goldring notified schools they plan to proceed with fall sports. Practices can begin on Aug. 1 and will conduct the usual series of postseason tournaments for 10 fall sports. A final decision is expected to come next week as the current Ohio Department of Health orders expire after July 15.
In working with the governor’s office, the OHSAA is in the process of preparing a guidance document on the restart of interscholastic athletics. That document is currently in the editorial stages.
Competitive games and tournaments are now permitted for contact sports. Practices and open gyms with another team or club and inter-club/team play are also permitted as long as the teams involved comply with the requirements set by the state. Those regulations are on a short trial basis until a decision is made on how to proceed after July 15.
Volleyball has recently been viewed as a non-contact sport by the governor’s office effective Tuesday. This puts volleyball in the category of non-contact sports joining baseball, softball, golf, swimming and diving, tennis and track and field. Competition is now permitted for volleyball and scrimmages, contests and competitions may occur with other teams.
The status of cross country is still uncertain. No information has been provided by the state to the OHSAA as to what category cross country falls under.
The OHSAA, in conjunction with the governor’s office, has announced a social media cam-gain to engage student-athletes and younger Ohioans in efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. They are encouraged to share a video or photo that emphasizes how they plan to wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash their hands and keep the path open for sports to return. Those participating should use the hashtag #IWantASeason.
For more information on the OHSAA and their COVID-19 correspondence go to https://www.ohsaa.org/Home/OHSAA-COVID-19-Correspondance