IHSA releases updated draft guidance re: activities

We received new draft guidance from the IHSA this afternoon. The IHSA is sending its draft to the Illinois Department of Public Health for final approval. This draft guidance is meant to align with Governor Pritzker’s guidance on youth sports that was released this morning.  Our assistant principals for athletics will provide additional details once they become available, but the following is what the IHSA announced today:

On July 29th, 2020, the IHSA Board modified the Return to Activities to reflect the following:

Certain fall sports will not be allowed to happen in the fall; as a result, the IHSA calendar will be adjusted with the following tentative timelines.

• Teams will play shortened regular season schedules in Winter, Spring, and Summer. An IHSA calendar of seasons and dates is here.
• State Series events for all sports will be determined on a sport by sport basis.
• Activities that can happen virtually can remain in their traditional seasons.
• Activities that can’t happen virtually could potentially need to adjust their seasons.

• On July 29th, 2020, the IHSA Board modified the current Phase 4 Return to Play Guidelines to allow for fall contact days to begin on Monday of Week 10 (September 7, 2020) and continue until the end of Week 17 (October 31, 2020). There is a 20-day limit on contact days during that time period for any sport not in season.

NOTE: Football, girls volleyball and boys soccer moved to a Spring 2021 season.

Fall (August 10 – October 24, 2020 in “traditional” season)

Boys & Girls Golf – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart.

Girls Tennis – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart.

Boys & Girls Cross Country – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart.

Girls Swimming & Diving – less than 50 in attendance with multiple groups distancing 30 ft. apart.

Spectator and group gatherings subject to Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines during this time. Guidelines include fewer than 50 participants and maintaining social distancing.

The IHSA also provided information about winter, spring and summer seasons for 2020-21. The full announcement, including a calendar of seasons and dates, is here.