Local Schools postpone Fall Sports

On Thursday, September 17th, 2020, the Central Counties League, also known as the CCL, decided to postpone all Fall athletics to March 1st, 2021, in which Section 3 is branding “fall sports 2.” There are seven teams that reside in the CCL, including Stockbridge Valley and Madison. Oneida is another local school that pushed sports to the March 1st date.

In a letter on the Oneida school website, Oneida’s superintendent Mary-margaret Zehr said there is hope that the season can happen.

“We strongly believe that our decision will keep our students,staff, families, coaches, officials, and surrounding school districts safer.”

In a statement released by the CCL, it details their decision to postpone sports to March 1st.

“As you know, on August 24th, Governor Cuomo announced that low and moderate-risk interscholastic athletics could begin play on September 21st. Since that time, both the New York Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and Section III have allowed fall sports to continue. In response, the Districts of the CCL have coordinated with one another to determine the best path forward for our student-athletes and our communities.

Collectively, we have reviewed the NYSPHSAA Return to Athletics guidance and compared it with the reopening guidance from the New York State Education Department and the New York State Department of Health. In addition, we have consulted with our local medical professionals, including

our respective Departments of Health, and we have received feedback from students, parents, our Boards of Education, and our communities. After careful consideration of all of the information at our disposal, we have made the collective decision to postpone fall interscholastic athletics until March 1st, 2021, the “second”

fall season offered by Section III.

We understand the importance of athletics for our students and their physical and social-emotional well being. This decision was made with sadness and disappointment for our student-athletes. Ultimately, our most important priority is always to ensure that we provide a safe, healthy, and secure environment for the education of our students. When all factors are considered, we believe that the benefit of a limited fall sports season is outweighed by the risk of potential COVID-19 exposures to our student-athletes, coaches, fans, and communities, and ultimately to our school districts’ abilities to maintain in-person instruction during the 2020-21 school year.

We understand that the decision to postpone the fall sports season will be heartbreaking for many in our communities, particularly our student-athletes. Please know that this decision is not a decision to cancel fall sports or to end all interscholastic sports for the 2020-2021 school year, but rather to delay fall sports until March in order to provide our student-athletes with the best opportunity to have a safe and meaningful season.

Like you, we look forward to the excitement of seeing our student-athletes compete once again. We thank you for your continued support and understanding.”