IDPH Approves IHSA Modified Sports Plan

ILLINOIS — With some sports like golf already underway, and students beginning to return to the classroom — virtually or in-person — the Illinois High School Association has been waiting on the Illinois Department of Public Health to approve its modified sports schedule since the end of July. On Friday, the IDPH gave the plan the go-ahead to officially allow schools to proceed with fall sports practices and competitions.

Though the IHSA was allowing for cross-country, golf, girls tennis and girls swimming and diving to begin getting ready for the 2020-2021 fall schedule prior to the IDPH approval, some districts and schools were waiting for the formal thumbs-up.

On July 29, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced new COVID-19 related restrictions on youth sports in the state — including at the high school level — that were broken into risk levels depending on the competition. The news came as the IHSA was meeting to discuss the future of the fall sports season.

In response, the decision was made to move sports considered higher risk under Pritzker's guidelines to the spring. Seasons have also been shortened to accommodate and allow as many games as possible to be completed.

The condensed 2020-21 season dates will be as follows, according to the IHSA:

Fall (Aug. 10-Oct. 24)
Winter (Nov. 16-Feb. 13)
Spring (Feb. 15-May 1)
Summer (May 3-June 26)

On Aug. 7, the IHSA released sport-specific guidelines for each of the fall sports that include safety precautions and guidance.

Related:
IHSA Releases Sport-Specific Guidelines For Fall Athletics
Pritzker Places Restrictions On Youth Sports, IHSA Responds