The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the spring high school sports season, and it is now carrying into fall sports season. On Wednesday, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association announced that fall sports would not begin on time.
Holding contact drills or practicing in pads for the next two months is prohibited.
“Yesterday, the Governor’s office extended Tennessee's COVID-19 State of Emergency until August 29, 2020,” executive director Bernard Childress sent in a memo to schools. “The Governor's prior order (No. 38) includes limitations and restrictions on contact sporting events and activities.
“We are working with the Governor’s office to ensure that our member schools are in compliance with the executive order in regards to athletic participation and contact sports.
“While the Governor’s order is in place, member schools cannot have any competition or scrimmage with other schools and cannot have close contact activities during their fundamental practice in the sports of football, 7-on-7 football, girls soccer, wrestling and basketball.
“Based on the extension of the Governor's order, football and girls' soccer cannot begin their seasons as originally scheduled. We are in the process of developing regular season and postseason options to present to the TSSAA Board of Control for their consideration. The Board will ultimately make the decision as to how this will impact the postseason and if any adjustments can be made to regular season competition.”
Last Wednesday, the NCAA extended the recruiting dead period through August 31, altering the high school football season and evaluation period even more so. It's certainly going to be a much different experience for high school players around the country this season.
Holding contact drills or practicing in pads for the next two months is prohibited.
“Yesterday, the Governor’s office extended Tennessee's COVID-19 State of Emergency until August 29, 2020,” executive director Bernard Childress sent in a memo to schools. “The Governor's prior order (No. 38) includes limitations and restrictions on contact sporting events and activities.
“We are working with the Governor’s office to ensure that our member schools are in compliance with the executive order in regards to athletic participation and contact sports.
“While the Governor’s order is in place, member schools cannot have any competition or scrimmage with other schools and cannot have close contact activities during their fundamental practice in the sports of football, 7-on-7 football, girls soccer, wrestling and basketball.
“Based on the extension of the Governor's order, football and girls' soccer cannot begin their seasons as originally scheduled. We are in the process of developing regular season and postseason options to present to the TSSAA Board of Control for their consideration. The Board will ultimately make the decision as to how this will impact the postseason and if any adjustments can be made to regular season competition.”
Last Wednesday, the NCAA extended the recruiting dead period through August 31, altering the high school football season and evaluation period even more so. It's certainly going to be a much different experience for high school players around the country this season.
