State Athletic Association gives update on high school spring sports season

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 24 March 2020 at 10:43 am

Though no specific date can be set for the start of the spring high school sports season can be made until a date for the reopening of schools is announced, New York State Public School Athletic Association officials this week have announced some key details for the season.

Specifically, the seven consecutive day rule has been waived allowing teams to practice and play games on seven consecutive days during the regular season.

In addition, Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas stated that “if needed the spring sports season can be extended to provide more participation opportunities for students.”

Dr. Zayas complete statement is as follows:

“As the Executive Director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association I would like our association to focus on providing participation opportunities for the spring sport student-athletes we serve. When schools are able to return, students will need a sense of normalcy and providing them with any semblance of a regular season will be beneficial to them and their school community; senior nights, practice, team dinners and wearing a school uniform should be the focus of interscholastic athletic programs following the COVID-19 crisis.

The date students are able to return to school will play a significant role in the length of the spring sports season and the potential of league, section and state championships. With school districts closed for an extended period of time, Sections and schools are individually determining the Spring sport start dates and practice parameters that best meet the needs of the students they represent.(Editors Note: Section VI and Section V teams began practice March 9 and got in one week of practice before schools were closed.)

If needed, the spring sports season can be extended to provide more participation opportunities for students. The Officers of NYSPHSAA have waived the seven consecutive day rule for the 2020 spring sports season, which will allow teams to practice and compete on seven consecutive days during the regular season.

The Officers and I have established Monday, April 27 as a determination date to officially examine the feasibility of hosting the NYSPHSAA Spring State Championships. Waivers of the NYSPHSAA Representation Rule will also be addressed at the end of April.”