North Carolina private high schools will still begin fall sports practice Monday
BY LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
The state’s private schools have decided to move forward with fall sports.
Thursday afternoon, the N.C. Independent Schools said it will allow member schools to begin fall sports Monday with practice. It will allow games in some fall sports to begin during the week of Sept. 8.
NCISAA executive director Homar Ramirez said there would not be football games until at least Sept 11. He did say practice could begin before then and that he will meet with the state’s football coaches Friday and again next week to determine next steps. There are 19 NCISAA schools that play 11-man football.
“I think there’s a level of optimism with our football coaches,” Ramirez said, “and there’s a desire to play, but there is also caution and concern for the health and safety of student athletes. When you’re dealing with unknowns, it’s a reason for people to pause.”
Ramirez said there is not a definite date for the NCISAA to make an all-or-nothing decision about football this fall.
“We have said we have a window,” Ramirez said, “and we want to exhaust all of our options for the fall, and once we’ve done that, then we’ll consider other alternatives.”
For private schools, the plan was initially to move forward with fall sports if Gov. Roy Cooper moved the state into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. But Wednesday, Cooper extended Phase 2 for five more weeks, well into September.
Thursday’s decision by the NCISAA likely means that games played at least until Sept. 11 — when Cooper’s current order expires — would be played with no fans. Ramirez told the Observer that the NCISAA is already talking to member schools about the possibility of playing without spectators.
The first sports to play will be what the NCISAA determines as low-risk: Cross country, girls tennis and girls golf. Those can begin competition the week of Sept. 8.
The following week, moderate-risk sports can begin: Field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer.
Ramirez said these dates are subject to change and that schools can choose to begin on the earliest allowable date or a later time.
Member schools are expected to follow three sets of minimal safety standards in preparation of fall sports. They are related to practice, training and competition.
BY LANGSTON WERTZ JR.
The state’s private schools have decided to move forward with fall sports.
Thursday afternoon, the N.C. Independent Schools said it will allow member schools to begin fall sports Monday with practice. It will allow games in some fall sports to begin during the week of Sept. 8.
NCISAA executive director Homar Ramirez said there would not be football games until at least Sept 11. He did say practice could begin before then and that he will meet with the state’s football coaches Friday and again next week to determine next steps. There are 19 NCISAA schools that play 11-man football.
“I think there’s a level of optimism with our football coaches,” Ramirez said, “and there’s a desire to play, but there is also caution and concern for the health and safety of student athletes. When you’re dealing with unknowns, it’s a reason for people to pause.”
Ramirez said there is not a definite date for the NCISAA to make an all-or-nothing decision about football this fall.
“We have said we have a window,” Ramirez said, “and we want to exhaust all of our options for the fall, and once we’ve done that, then we’ll consider other alternatives.”
For private schools, the plan was initially to move forward with fall sports if Gov. Roy Cooper moved the state into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. But Wednesday, Cooper extended Phase 2 for five more weeks, well into September.
Thursday’s decision by the NCISAA likely means that games played at least until Sept. 11 — when Cooper’s current order expires — would be played with no fans. Ramirez told the Observer that the NCISAA is already talking to member schools about the possibility of playing without spectators.
The first sports to play will be what the NCISAA determines as low-risk: Cross country, girls tennis and girls golf. Those can begin competition the week of Sept. 8.
The following week, moderate-risk sports can begin: Field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer.
Ramirez said these dates are subject to change and that schools can choose to begin on the earliest allowable date or a later time.
Member schools are expected to follow three sets of minimal safety standards in preparation of fall sports. They are related to practice, training and competition.
