How other states are handling high school fall sports with UIL decision looming near
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is expected to make a decision on fall sports sometime this week. Over the past week, several states throughout the country have made the tough decision to either move their season back a few weeks or pushed the season entirely to 2021.
There was some positive momentum and hope for Texas in that discussion as recently as yesterday when UIL athletic director Dr. Susan Elza reiterated that the goal and plan is to have a full fall high school sports schedule.
There may need to be some shifting of some schedules with one suggestion from Elza being to switch all district games to the front of the schedule so that they all can be played and district standings will be accurate.
Let us take a look at other state's reaction to the coronavirus and which ones are planning changes to their usual Fall high school sports schedule:
Arizona: The Arizona Interscholastic Association announced it will delay the start of all athletics after Gov. Doug Ducey's recent executive order pushed back the school year start until Aug. 17. The governor's order was in response to a spike in the state's coronavirus cases. The high school football season was to start the weekend of Aug. 20.
California: The California Interscholastic Federation moved back its fall and winter seasons to start in January. In an announcement on July 20, "The CIF has determined, in collaboration with our 10 Sections, that education-based athletics for the 2020-2021 season will begin with a modified season of sport schedule." The CIF split all its sports into two "seasons," instead of three, with varying start and playoff dates. The Northern Section plans to keep its regular calendar and won't be eligible for state championships.
Georgia: The Georgia High School Association postponed its football season by two weeks. In a GHSA Board of Trustees meeting held July 20, the state's governing body decided to move back the first games from late August to Sept. 4, but will keep a 10-game schedule and a full slate of playoffs. Other fall sports in Georgia will start on time.
Mississippi: On July 14, the Mississippi High School Activities Association executive committee delayed the fall sports season two weeks. Football practices may begin Aug. 17 with games getting underway Sept. 4. All other sports can begin practicing Aug. 10 with first contests Aug. 24.
Nevada: On July 17, tournament director Bob Kelly announced the 2020 Durango Fall Classic – arguably the nation's top high school volleyball tournament held annually in Las Vegas – will not be played. Kelly said plans are already in place for the event to return Sept. 17-18, 2021.
New Jersey: The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is still planning to start sports in the fall, but not until Oct. 1. The NJSIAA's "Return to Play" model released on July 10, the football regular season will be only six games instead of the traditional 10. Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order July 20 to allow contact drills, practices and competitions to resume in outdoor venues only.
New Mexico: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on July 9 that high school fall contact sports, including football and boys soccer, will be postponed until at least the spring semester.
New York: OnJuly 16, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced that the state's fall sports season would be delayed and fall regional and state championships canceled.
South Carolina: The South Carolina High School League Executive Committee on July 15 approved a plan to play fall sports with a few changes. The changes include: pushing back the practice start date from July 31 to Aug. 17, a seven-game football season starting Sept. 11, and region games in girls tennis, volleyball and football played first with a shortened playoff schedule.
Tennessee: Football and girls soccer will not begin on time following the June 29 extension of state emergency laid down by Gov. Bill Lee. The extension now runs until after Aug. 29, even the full slates of Tennessee high school football games were scheduled as early as Aug. 21. Lee made strict contact sport restrictions for practice or any activities other than the college or pro level. Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association executive director Bernard Childress then ordered there will be no contact practices in football, girls soccer, wrestling and basketball. The TSSAA is now working on regular and postseason schedule options to present to the Board of Control.
Vermont: There are no updates on the Vermont Principals' Association website concerning the summer and fall after it closed down the spring sports season. On June 18, the Vermont Agency of Education offered guidance to Vermont schools concerning COVID-19. There is still no word on whether or not fall sports will be played at all within the state and as of now the fall sports season has been postponed until further notice.
Washington: On July 7, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Executive Board announced the start of the fall season would be pushed back to Sept. 5 for football and Sept. 7 for all other sports. "The Board will continue to work with staff, member schools and state agencies to monitor the impact of COVID-19," the WIAA said in a release. The Board will make its next announcement on the fall season July 22.
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West Virginia: The 2020 football season will begin with practice on Sept. 3, according to West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission executive director Bernie Dolan. He made the announcement on July 10 a day after West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced the start of the 2020-21 school year was pushed back to Sept. 8. Dolan said the current three-week summer training for all sports will continue through the end of the month, but that the regular season will be delayed about a month due to the recent two-week spike in coronavirus cases in the state. "It's a little disappointing," Dolan said. "It's difficult. You wish we had a better handle on the virus. But you just have to deal with the hand you're dealt." Starting dates for other sports will be announced in the next day or two, Dolan said.
All of the states who have made an adjustment to their fall schedule are good measuring sticks when looking at what the UIL's options are. Elza decided to postpone any decision that the UIL may come to for at least another few days and the decision that the UIL will come to is anyone's guess.
With Elza saying that the plan is still to play all fall sports, it gives sports fans around the state a sliver of hope that their lives will slowly start reverting back to the way things were before COVID-19.
Just as the legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said, “A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall.”
While there will be no knights in armor or a new Renaissance era coming to Big Spring anytime soon, the loss of a football season could be a painful thing to endure for every fan in town.
Prediction: Texas follows Georgia's lead and pushes the season back a couple of weeks while still having a full 10-game regular season. Scheduling could become hectic but every Howard County head coach is determined and dedicated to making sure a 2020 football season happens. Because of that, they all should be able to handle the task.
Shawn Moran is the sports writer at the Big Spring Herald. To contact him, e-mail sports@bigspringherald.com or call 432-263-7331.
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