UIL today announced its plans for the 2020 season. The primary change reflects schools 5 and 6A; Like 1-4A, stay on track during a normal season.
For those 5 and 6A schools, the opening season practices will be delayed from August 3 to September 7. The start of the season is scheduled for September 24. And, the state championships will be sometime in January 2021. This is more than likely due to the uncertainty of the NFL playoff schedule and whether the Dallas Cowboys will host a playoff game.
Full press release below:
AUSTIN – The University Interscholastic League (UIL) presents modifications to the UIL 2020-2021 calendar and updated COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines, which will take effect on August 1, 2020.
Modifications to the 2020-2021 calendar differ by activity and conference and can be found on the UIL website and in the chart below. These adjustments reflect the public health situation at this time and the variable number of COVID-19 cases in different geographic areas of the state. This plan provides a delay for schools in highly populated metropolitan areas, primarily 5A-6A conferences, given the challenges with COVID-19 faced by those communities, while providing schools in other areas, primarily 1A-4A, a opportunity to start seasons on calendar. Recognizing that the situation is not always clear and that COVID-19 affects each community differently, the plan also allows for local flexibility and encourages districts to plan for possible disruptions to complete the district seasons.
Additionally, the COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines for the 2020-2021 school year can be found at this link. This includes guidance on facial coatings, general operations and protocol for persons confirmed or exposed to COVID-19, congregation settings (band rooms, locker rooms, etc.), practice and rehearsal activities, spectators and media, food stalls and food service.
These guidelines are in addition to the guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and are intended to be implemented in conjunction with the TEA guidance, which applies to UIL academic activities and non-UIL related extracurricular activities.
With the understanding that not all schools will be able to start at the same time, this plan allows schools to make play decisions locally, and UIL will work directly with schools that have scheduling issues that are not addressed in this plan to Allow flexibility to complete as many contests as possible.
“Our goal in publishing this plan is to provide a path forward for Texas students and schools,” said Dr. Charles Breithaupt, UIL Executive Director. “While understanding of situations changes and there will likely be disruptions that will require flexibility and patience, we hope this plan will allow students to participate in the educational activities they love in a way that prioritizes safety and mitigates the risk of spreading COVID- 19. “
UIL will continue to work with state officials and will oversee CDC and other federal guidance to determine possible modifications that may be necessary.
