Start of season may be pushed back

Wolf administration recommends sports postponed until at least Jan. 1

In a press release Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Education jointly recommended that Pre-K-12 school and recreational youth sports be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021, to protect children and teens from COVID-19.

The administration is providing this strong recommendation and not an order or mandate, the release stated. As with deciding whether students should return to in-person classes, remote learning or a blend of the two this fall, it said school administrators and locally elected school boards should make decisions on sports.

The PIAA responded to the recommendation.

“We are tremendously disappointed in this decision,” a press release said. “Our member schools have worked diligently to develop health and safety plans to allow students the safe return to interscholastic athletics.”

The PIAA Board of Directors will meet Friday afternoon to review this action, followed by making an official statement.

Prior to the recommendation by the Wolf Administration Thursday, area leagues were leaning towards a delay to the start of the fall season.

PUSHING IT BACK » The Suburban One League was considering a delay to the fall.

“The goal of the fall 2020 scheduling for the Suburban One League is to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while providing opportunities for studentathletes to compete and represent their school communities,” read a statement posted on suburbanonesports.com from the Executive Committee of the SOL, which met Wednesday. “The Executive Committee is making the recommendation that Low and Moderate Risk sports, which include Golf, Girls and Boys Cross

GENE WALSH — MEDIANEW GROUP FILE Souderton football coach Ed Gallagher and Indians players during the preseason practice on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. The Suburban One League’s Executive Committee recommended in a meeting Wednesday a four-week delay for football and a two-week delay for other fall sports from their first regular-season contest date.