Winter Sports Not Expected To Be Played In 2020: IHSA

BLOOMINGTON, IL — Two weeks after electing to follow Tier 3 resurgence mitigations implemented by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to combat the coronavirus — a decision that immediately delayed the start of the high school winter sports season among other things — the Illinois High School Association held a virtual update session Wednesday with its board of directors. According to a statement from Executive Director Craig Anderson, the IHSA has "no expectations of starting low risk winter sports" before 2021.

"When there is a timeline for the state to emerge from these restrictions, the Board is prepared to restart lower risk winter sports quickly," Anderson said. "In addition, the Board hopes to reestablish contact days in January for any winter sports that cannot begin, as well as spring and summer sports."

In November, the IHSA board voted to proceed with a high school basketball season despite Pritzker saying it was on hold due to a rising number of coronavirus cases in the state. The sport had originally been deemed medium risk for the coronavirus, but Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Health changed that classification to high risk, halting the start of the season.

IHSA Follows Pritzker's Lead In Pausing Winter Sports Season

Winter sports considered low risk for the coronavirus also saw their seasons paused under the Tier 3 mitigations, including boys swimming and diving, cheerleading, dance, boys and girls bowling, and girls gymnastics. Wrestling, considered high risk like basketball, had already been moved out of the winter sports season to the spring.

"The Board reiterated that they remain committed to creating as much opportunity as possible for all sports that remain to be played this school year," Anderson said. "They intend to evaluate the equity of each season as a potential resumption date in January begins to materialize."

Given its status as a low risk sport, the Board also discussed the possibility of moving the girls badminton season from the spring to the winter. The IHSA said schools should begin preparing for this possibility as action on this could be decided at the Dec. 14 Board of Directors meeting.

Anderson also noted that the Board reviewed questions from schools regarding the interpretation of the Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations and the application in use of the weight room and open gyms before and after school.

"The Board believes that local schools and their districts may interpret the application of this and whether or not their facilities are made available to community members in their district according to the guidance for public health and fitness centers," Anderson said.

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