NCHSAA
By Noah Shatzer
Cherokee Scout
Raleigh – With spring sports officially canceled, high schools across the state are now looking ahead to summer sporting activities with fingers crossed.
But those looking to participate in summer camps and workouts will have to wait a little bit longer for closure, as the N.C. High School Athletic Association has yet to have made a decision about the future of high schools sports for this summer or fall, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
During a closed virtual meeting on April 29, the association’s commissioner, Que Tucker, told attending media that making any decision now would be “premature” and while the hope was that the pandemic would not affect fall sports, “at this point, we just don’t know.”
According to Tucker, the COVID-19 pandemic took up a large portion of the association’s annual Board of Directors meeting, which was held virtually on April 28 and 29.
“The NCHSAA Board of Directors discussed the COVID-19 crisis at length,” Tucker said in a written statement, released after the conclusion of the meeting.
“We remind our schools, coaches and teams that we are acting as if we are in a “dead period” for all in-person activities. These restrictions remain in place until further notice.
“Virtual communication and activities to maintain relationships within teams is encouraged, but no in-person activities are permitted.
“We understand that many people are interested in how schools and teams can get back to workouts, practices and competition. At this time, it is premature to speculate on a return date and whether or not the fall season will be impacted by COVID-19.”
As of right now, the 2020 fall sports season is currently scheduled to begin on Aug. 1 with first contests scheduled for Aug. 17.