NYSPHSAA Holds First COVID-19 Task Force Meeting

LATHAM, NY » The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its first meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force on Wednesday, June 10. The Task Force is comprised of school district superintendents, high school principals, athletic directors, NYSPHSAA officers, as well as a representative from the New York State Athletic Administrators Association, an athletic trainer, a district transportation director, and members of New York State Education Department and New York State Department of Health.

The Task Force heard reports and updates from the Governor Cuomo’s office, the New York State Education Department and the New York State Health Department pertaining to the COVID-19 crisis and the impact it has had upon education and the reopening of schools.

“Having representatives from these offices provide reports today was extremely beneficial to the work that the Task Force will do over the course of the next few months,” said NYSPHSAA President and Task Force Chair, Paul Harrica. “From the reports provided, it is clear school district facilities cannot be opened for student participation until Phase 4 is entered. The health and safety

of our student-athletes remains our top priority.”

On Friday, the Task Force will release guidance pertaining to oncampus summer conditioning workouts as well as an update to its Frequently Asked Questions document that NYSPHSAA released on May 7th. School districts are encouraged to get acclimated with CDC and local health department guidance as well Governor Cuomo’s restrictions, local laws and policies.

The Task Force also discussed and examined the result of a COVID-19 survey, distributed by NYSPHSAA, to gather a statewide perspective on the impacts and potential response to the COVID-19 crisis; roughly 6,000 athletic directors, administrators, and coaches submitted responses to the survey. Results of the survey can be found here: https://drive.google.com/ file/d/1SlAuRLpy1EwTY0 baMFKVNBtzN4xrW1uF/ view?usp=sharing

“Today’s meeting was our first step in addressing concerns and examining readily available information related to the COVID-19 crisis,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “We are all focused on providing student-athletes with the opportunity to participate this fall with guidance from the Department of Health and in accordance with Governor Cuomo’s restrictions.”