Greetings from the CHS Athletics Department. This blog entry is designed to be a mid-summer check-in with the CHS Athletics community regarding the 2020 Fall athletic season. With some decisions beginning to be made, it is important that student athletes, parents/guardians and the larger CHS Athletics community understand where the upcoming season currently stands in regards to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Below are FAQ regarding the fall and my best attempt to answer them:
1. Have any decisions been made yet regarding the fall athletic season? On Tuesday, July 21, the MIAA Board of Directors voted to delay the start of the season until September 14. This is the only significant decision to date. This decision means that the first date for practices/tryouts for CHS fall athletics will now be on or after September 14th. The August 21st/24th date is no longer in play. No other decisions have been made in regards to the fall season.
2. How will the delayed start date impact existing practice and contest schedules? It is safe to say that existing practice/contest schedules will no longer be followed and new schedules will be worked on and released soon.
3. Who will make the decisions regarding a fall high school season? There are many groups at the state level working on this decision. The MIAA has a Covid-19 Task Force that meets regularly to explore how athletics may exist in the three potential models (All-In, Hybrid, and Remote). The Task Force is reviewing safety protocols, considering medical expertise, identifying issues and considerations, and problem solving concerns. The group, which features athletic directors, administration and representatives for all of the fall sports, will make recommendations to the MIAA Board of Directors regarding guidelines, restrictions, etc. for a fall sports season. Simultaneously, the Baker administration is working with the Department of Education, Department of Public Health and other state agencies to provide direction and guidance -- and potentially directives -- around fall high school sports. The fall sports season is expected to be included in the Commissioner of Education's Comprehensive Guidance for Fall Reopening. Ultimately, CHS will follow all guidelines set by the State/MIAA and will work with Canton's Board of Health in instituting all state guidelines.
4. When will decisions around the fall sports season be made? Although there is not a set date, we are anticipating an announcement in late July or early August.
5. Where does all of this leave us as of today -- Thursday, July 23? Athletic Directors around the state continue to advocate every day for a safe and healthy return to athletics. I am hopeful and very much look forward to the prospects of a fall season. With that in mind, we have formed a CHS Athletics Reopening Working Group to tackle the many challenges that lie ahead in reopening our athletic program. This group includes parents, administrators, coaches, staff and student athletes.
6. When will fall sports registration (online through FamilyID) be open? We are holding off on any online registration for the fall sports season until the MIAA establishes what the fall season will look like. As soon as that decision is made, we will open up registration.
7. How will the CHS Athletic Department understand where the CHS Athletics community is on the issue of fall sports? We will be issuing a survey to parents/guardians next week, seeking your feedback.
8 Is the CHS Athletic Department providing any training opportunities for our student athletes this summer? YES! Keep an eye out for news of our Strength and Conditioning program restarting on-site workouts. Details on this program should be out by week's end.
9. What other thoughts do we have at this time? We ask that you all continue the important task of social distancing and wearing masks when that is not possible. Our best chance at enjoying a fall athletic season comes from our community working together to continue to stay ahead of Covid-19.
10. What if I have further questions or thoughts? Always feel free to reach out to CHS Athletics with questions/thoughts. The best method for this is email: ericksond@cantonma.org.
Be well and Go Bulldogs!
