PIAA votes to allow fall high school sports to begin Monday
The PIAA has made its decision.
The governing body over high school sports in Pennsylvania will allow member schools to proceed with fall sports at their own discretion beginning Monday.
The decision came during a PIAA board of directors meeting Friday afternoon and came by a 25-5 vote.
“The board agrees the decision to compete in athletics should be made locally, allowing for each school entity to decide whether to proceed and which sports to sponsor,” the PIAA’s release said. “As the health and safety of students is paramount in moving forward with athletics, the Board believes that through each member schools’ adherence to their developed school and safety plans and the PIAA Return to Competition guidelines sports can continue.”
The announcement took place two weeks after the governing body pushed back the start of fall sports to Monday to seek further guidance from the governor’s office. Gov. Tom Wolf released guidance earlier this month recommending — but not mandating — the delay of youth sports until Jan. 1, 2021.
“PIAA is asking the governor, along with the Departments of Health and Education, to partner with us and work collaboratively to further discuss fall sports,” the PIAA’s statement announcing the initial delay read. “We are also seeking insight and discussion from the Pennsylvania General Assembly.”
Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, thanked the governing body for allowing fall sports to take place.
“As a parent, grandparent and former coach, I know school sports and extracurricular activities are more than just fun,” Benninghoff said in a release. “They are a chance for students to gain confidence, learn from life-changing mentorships and find motivation to achieve more academically.”
Benninghoff, as well as Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, have been vocal advocates of playing high school sports this fall. Corman, along with his children Bella and Davis Corman, spoke Thursday at a “Let Our Kids Play” rally in Harrisburg.
Corman supported the PIAA’s decision in a Friday statement, and backed its safety plan.
“School activities and sports play an essential role in children’s mental health and well-being,” Corman said. “I am happy the PIAA recognized the need for these kids to have normalcy back in their lives during such difficult times.”
Now that fall sports may proceed, four of Centre County’s five high school football programs may begin their practice Monday.
State College already had its first fall practice delayed until Sept. 4 by the Mid-Penn Conference in early August. The delay pushed the earliest start date for the season to Sept. 25 after the PIAA’s mandatory three weeks of practice before games can take place.
The Mountain League — which houses Centre County schools Bald Eagle Area, Bellefonte, Penns Valley and Philipsburg-Osceola — has yet to announce its plan for football this fall, but will meet Monday.
While outdoor gatherings in Pennsylvania are limited to 250 people, Dr. Robert Lombardi — the PIAA’s executive director — said fans will not currently be allowed in accordance with guidelines from the governor’s office and media members will be included in the 250-person limit. However, Lombardi said he’ll keep advocating to the governor to allow spectators — or at least parents — at games.
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 3:35 PM.
