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School sports to move forward after PIAA vote

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has reached its decision. And it’s game on.

The PIAA, which held a Board of Directors meeting Friday, announced it is moving ahead with the fall sports schedule, a decision that does not follow Gov. Tom Wolf’s recommendation that Pre-K through 12th-grade athletics be postponed until Jan. 1, 2021.

The board voted 25-5 to allow fall sports activities starting Monday, Aug. 24, based on the final determinations of local school districts and leagues.

“The PIAA Board of Directors has heard the thousands of voices of studentathletes, parents, coaches, officials as well as community leaders that have contacted us,” the PIAA stated in a news release. “We remind those individuals who have strongly advocated for athletics that they must keep strict adherence to school health and safety plans. All individuals involved in interscholastic athletic communities have a role in the health and wellness of all participants.”

Many leagues in the region and state had already postponed the start of their fall seasons. The Pioneer Athletic Conference previously postponed its preseason start to Sept. 7 with games allowed to begin Sept. 25. The Ches-Mont League adopted a similar schedule.

The Suburban One League is slated to begin practices Aug. 31, as is the Philadelphia Catholic League.

Pottstown, Norristown and Phoenixville (excluding singles tennis and golf) previously moved to opt out of fall sports participation. Cheltenham joined that group Friday, as did the entire Del Val League (Interboro, Penn Wood, Chester, Chichester, Academy Park) last week.

The PIAA passed a motion to allow schools/leagues that cancel fall sports to explore options for the spring.

The start of mandatory practices has been on hold statewide since Aug. 7, when the PIAA initiated a two-week delay a day after Wolf and state government officials recommended discontinuing interscholastic sports until 2021.

The PIAA also reiterated the ruling that no spectators will be allowed at sporting events.

AUSTIN HERTZOG MEDIANEWS GROUP Owen J. Roberts’ Christian Grossi (11) catches a touchdown pass as teammate Dante Denardo signals for the score during the first half against Conestoga last season. Teams and athletes around the state were raising their arms Friday when the PIAA voted to move forward with the fall sports season.