High school sports in New York State halted in mid-March with the closing of schools for what turned out to be the rest of the academic year. Whether it returns in the fall, and what form it might take if it does, remains an open question.

To address these questions, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association announced on May 12 that it had formed an 18-person task force charged with examining how the COVID-19 pandemic could impact or alter both the fall season and the 2020-21 school year in general.

“The goal of this task force is to bring together a group of experienced administrators and professionals to examine potential impacts and to provide guidance and recommendations to the 11 sections,” said NYPSHAA president Paul Harrica.

Of the 18 members of the task force, only one, Jamesville-DeWitt High School principal Paul Gasparini, hails from Section III, though the group will consult with officials from the section throughout their deliberations.

Chaired by Harrica, the task force includes school superintendents, principals and athletic directors, along with two representatives from the New York State Department of Education, plus NYSPHAA officials led by executive director Dr. Robert Zayas.

In the announcement of the task force, Zayas said that, as of now, plans are to still begin fall sports on its normal date, Aug. 24, though he added the priority remains maintaining health and safety standards.

“I want to make sure we are prepared to focus attention on keeping student-athletes engaged in their school communities and active, while also abiding by Department of Health and Governor (Andrew) Cuomo’s guidelines,” said Zayas. “We must have innovative and creative thought to provide beneficial participation playing experiences for students.”