BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG) - The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) released plans on Thursday to offer a condensed sports schedule for the 2020-2021 school year and cancel championships for fall sports.
NYSPHSAA officers voted to make changes that include delaying the start of fall sports until Sept. 21, canceling fall regional and state championships and giving schools the option to offer off-season conditioning, if permitted by state officials.
“As the state considers reopening, it is unrealistic to believe athletic seasons can start on August 24th as originally scheduled,” said Paul Harrica, NYSPHSAA President. “The priority will continue to be on the educational process and a return to learning in the safest way possible.”
In the event COVID-19 further disrupts fall athletics, the association also released a condensed schedule for winter, fall and spring sports that would begin in January 2021. However, it acknowledged that the proposed dates for those seasons are also tentative.