Any hope for a high school soccer season this fall seems to have disappeared. Governor JB Pritzker released a series of restrictions on recreational sports in high school, youth and adults on Wednesday.
Pritzker’s surprise announcement stole the thunder from the Illinois High School Association’s board of directors, which is expected to unveil a complete plan for this year’s high school sports schedule at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
“These are incredibly important moments in our children’s lives,” said Pritzker. “When multi-million dollar sports leagues with multi-million dollar athletes fight to protect their players, it is obvious that there will not be enough protection for children on our school playgrounds.
“The NBA has resorted to holding its players in a bubble to continue their season. MLB is facing a major outbreak. This virus is relentless and spreads so easily that no number of restrictions seem to keep it off the field. “
Pritzker released a set of guidelines for youth and high school sports on the state coronavirus website.
Fall sports played in Illinois include soccer, boys ‘and girls’ cross country, boys ‘and girls’ golf, boys ‘soccer, girls’ swimming, girls ‘tennis, and girls’ volleyball. Practices were scheduled to begin on August 10.
“It is very painful, frankly, for all of us to do this,” Pritzker said. “With increasing propagation rates and increasing positivity rates across Illinois and the United States, this is a situation where the most difficult option is also the safest option.”
Pritzker’s guidelines divide sports into three levels of risk: lowest, medium, and highest. Sports at each risk level are allowed different amounts of play based on current public health conditions.
Under current state conditions, lower risk sports (tennis, baseball, golf) may have local games. Mid-level sports (basketball) can have contactless practices.
The complete set of Pritzker guidelines is here.
IHSA is expected to announce a full calendar design for the sports season around 2 pm today.
The IHSA closed the state boys basketball tournament on March 12, the day before the Class 1A and 2A semifinals were scheduled. Spring sports tournaments were canceled on April 21.
The IHSA board is expected to announce a decision on fall sports tomorrow. They could postpone fall sports for a few weeks. They could alter the entire sports calendar, which would eliminate fall and shorten the three seasons and begin in December. What is your opinion?
– Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) July 28, 2020
Summer training and practices have been allowed under various changing guidelines in recent months.
Check back for more information on this unfolding story.
