Md. School Officials Call ‘Time Out’ When It Comes to Fall Sports

Schools are recommended to implement the preparation phase found in the MPSSAA Guidance in anticipation of the first available date for practices to begin, which is currently set at Aug. 12 as declared by the state superintendent of education.

MPSSAA’s “Roadmap for Return of Interscholastic Athletics” notes that currently, all athletics and activities may be operating in the “lowest risk” mode, which means performing skill-building drills or conditioning at home alone or with family members, which includes school system-approved virtual engagement. Schools can slowly start summer out-of-season school-based open conditioning, exercise, weight training and non-sport specific student gatherings.

Brian Bassett with Howard County public schools said no fall sports have participated in summer conditioning. He told Patch the district is awaiting additional guidance and protocols from the MPSSAA for handling positive coronavirus cases during the fall sports season before making a decision.

“Our director of athletics is very involved in the work of the state committee and is keeping the superintendent informed of any changes to their guidance or mandates. It’s true that [as of today] local districts are able to make the call on the return to athletics and ours has not changed at this point, but that could change at any point if the state decides to alter the date of return to athletics or protocols for all districts in the state. They have not yet done so, but we are seeing neighboring states beginning to make those changes,” Bassett said.

The coronavirus’ impact on Maryland sports doesn’t fall just upon high schools. The Big Ten Conference recently announced it was canceling games that were scheduled against non-league opponents due to ongoing coronavirus concerns.

Many college officials have confirmed they will take a significant financial hit now that those games have been removed from their schedule, including Towson University. The Tigers’ Sept. 5 game at Maryland has been canceled along with the $325,000 payment that would’ve come with it.

The Patriot League Council of Presidents canceled its fall season, but said that because the U.S. Military Academy and Naval Academy are “unique in their environments,” they can proceed with fall sports. However, Lafayette College in Pennsylvania notified officials with the Naval Academy Athletic Association that it will not be trekking to Annapolis for the football game originally scheduled between the two schools Sept. 12. Navy’s season opens Labor Day weekend against Notre Dame at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

The MPSSAA will update its status July 21, July 28 and Aug. 4 regarding fall practices and any modifications that will need to be made. Fall state championships will be assessed in early October based upon schools’ ability to participate in a regular season. Winter sports’ status will be assessed the first week of October based on the most recent information regarding indoor facilities and the coronavirus.

The association noted that the MPSSAA will consider other approaches to the fall sports season, including modifying the start of the season or shortening the season.