High school association confirms intent to play sports
Que Tucker’s announcement was music to athletes’ ears.
After months of speculation, the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s commissioner presented during a Aug. 12 press conference a proposed sports calendar for the 2020-21 school year. The calendar pushes back the start of athletic competition to Nov. 16, when volleyball and cross country will begin.
“We know that education-based athletics has great benefits for young people across our state; not just physically, but emotionally, socially and developmentally,” Tucker said. “We want to ensure that students have the opportunity to gain the benefits from participation in education-based athletics, while mitigating the risks associated with that participation.
“Please keep in mind that these dates are dependent on COVID-19 conditions improving across North Carolina.”
The most notable change is to high school football, which will be played from Feb. 26 through April 9, 2021. Practice for the sport can begin Feb. 8.
Limitations
The changes did not come without a major caveat.
Each sport has a cap on the number of contests, with the majority of contact sports capped at 14 regular-season games. Football will only have seven regular-season matchups, while both cross country and track and field will only be allowed 10 meets.
Plans are in place for state playoffs, but Tucker did not release those details.
Attendance at athletic events will be dependent on both state restrictions for gatherings and decisions made at the local level.
The association's Board of Directors approved the calendar Aug. 11 after consultation with the association’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, athletic directors and a Sports Ad Hoc Committee.
A Friday email from the association informed conference statewide that no scheduling is allowed to take place at this time. There is no word on when contests can be finalized.