Two and a half months after they were supposed to begin their seasons, area high school basketball, ice hockey, wrestling and volleyball teams might finally have a chance to compete.
Responding to increased calls from a wide range of figures, from students to politicians, the New York State Department of Health released revised guidelines on Friday that, if approved at the local level, would allow “high-risk” sports to take place.
“Today was an exciting day,” said New York State Public High School Athletic Association executive director Dr. Robert Zayas. “I am thrilled our association’s member schools will be able to provide students with valuable and beneficial participation experiences.”
Prior to this, those high-risk sports were sidelined, starting with football in the fall and continuing into the winter because it was feared that COVID-19 could easily spread in the close quarters those sports required.
“Effective Feb. 1, 2021, participants in higher risk sports and recreation activities may partake in individual or distanced group training and organized no/low-contact group training and, further, may partake in other types of play, including competitions and tournaments,” the health department said.
This is not a blanket approval. Though the DOH, in coordination with Governor Andrew Cuomo, has changed the state guidelines, approval from county health departments is needed to go ahead, based on factors such as COVID-19 rates and compliance ability.
All of this took place in a matter of weeks. When 2021 started, the likelihood of any winter sports beyond boys swimming and boys and girls bowling appeared slim with infection rates at high levels and increasing numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.
But once those numbers began to subside, a campaign began, first at local levels and on social media platforms, to try and salvage the winter season.
Momentum picked up when New York State legislators proposed actions asking Cuomo to lift the ban on high-risk sports. Among others, State Senator (and former West Genesee teacher and coach) John Mannion joined this effort.
“I know that parents, coaches, athletic directors think that they can pull it off with a scientific emphasis,” said Mannion. “Six months ago I wouldn’t have this conversation. But these kids have a narrow window to participate and that window is closing.”
Then, on Tuesday, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon made public his support, citing the improved infection numbers and his belief that schools have not served as spreaders at any point during this pandemic.
“We need to let these kids play,” said McMahon. “The numbers are going the right direction. We’re vaccinating more. It’s time to let these kids play and get back to some sort of normal school. The data helps drive this. The data says schools are safe.”
Before the recent delays, Section III had hoped for a winter season to begin Jan. 4 and end Feb. 28. Depending on what happens next, those dates could change and go into March, where “Fall Sports II”, including football, could take place if approved.
Now, the last week of January will be full of meetings to establish schedules for those schools who wish to take part in high-risk winter sports, based on revised NYSPHSAA guidelines to be sent out early in the week.
Among other things, said Zayas, those guidelines will include mask requirements for all contests and spectator limits similar to what was done for low-risk sports during the fall.
Basketball, ice hockey and volleyball teams will require six practices before game action, precluding any contests until the second week of February. Wrestling requires 10 practices before their first match.
