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Friday 21 August 2020 | 3:36 p.m.
Christopher Horner | Tribune Review
The Apollo-Ridge football team practices on Monday, August 17, 2020 in Spring Church.
Chaz Palla | Tribune Review
Franklin Regional Trevor Brncic goes through drills during workouts Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Franklin Regional High School.
Chaz Palla | Tribune Review
Penn-Trafford footballers go through drills during workouts Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Warrior Stadium.
Chaz Palla | Tribune Review
Knoch head coach Brandon Mowry during workouts Thursday, July 15, 2020 at Knoch High School.
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High school football season begins Monday, along with football, cross country, girls volleyball and all other PIAA bankruptcy sports.
The PIAA board voted Friday in favor of Gov.’s strong recommendation. Tom Wolf ignored and let fall sports begin as a plea, but the PIAA left the responsibility with individual school districts to decide when to play.
The score was then 25-5.
“We know there are no guarantees, but we are at least making the effort to try,” said PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi. ‘If it’s not going well and we have to quit, we will do it, because everyone knows in the first place that everyone’s health and safety is at stake.
“But we are also an athletic association that advocates for young people,” he added. “… We think we owed it to our member schools, our athletes and the coaches, athletic directors, administrators, parents and community to attend.”
Football teams can begin heat acclimatization Monday. All other fall sports can be practiced this day.
In a separate vote, the PIAA board unanimously agreed to monitor the number of schools that decide to go ahead and adjust plans, if necessary. The PIAA would consider allowing an alternative fall season in the spring for certain regions, if a large number of teams are currently unable to participate.
If so, there would be two fall seasons.
“The board recognized that there may be areas of the state that have been closed for a good period of time,” Lombardi said. “As the board announced in May, we want to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to participate.”
Pittsburgh Public Schools athletic director Karen Arnold and Hopewell principal Michael Allison were among the five “no” votes. Also in opposition were members representing school boards, principals and superintendents. Allison, the WPIAL treasurer, is president of the Pennsylvania Principals Association.
Department of Education Representative Brian Campbell was one of two members absent. The state Department of Education and Health supports Wolf’s recommendation that youth sports be delayed to prevent potential spread of coronavirus.
“While the administration has expressed widespread concern about the PIAA’s plans, including its request for liability protection, we have made it clear since July that this decision should be made by the PIAA in consultation with local school districts,” spokeswoman Lyndsay Kensinger, spokeswoman for Wolf said. “The mayor has a deep appreciation for the importance of athletics and the role that sports play in the lives of student-athletes.”
But Wolf’s leadership has not changed. He wants to postpone interscholastic and recreational youth sports until at least Jan. 1.
“The governor’s recommendation is based on evidence of public health and a general sense of reaction to competition after competition canceling or postponing their autumn seasons, outbreaks in the country, growing evidence of higher transmission in children, protection of higher risk adults, and it’s fundamentally important to get children back into learning in classrooms, “Kensinger said. . “
This story will be updated.
Chris Harlan is a Staffune Review Staff Writer. You can contact Chris via email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
