Scholastic Governing Body Revises Policy On Some Winter Sports

CONNECTICUT — Some winter sports which have been limbo due to the coronavirus pandemic may have been given a reprieve by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Board of Control.

Following a lengthy meeting Thursday morning, and with recently revised guidance from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the CIAC met with representatives from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and the office of Gov. Ned Lamont to discuss how those revisions may impact interscholastic athletics. The CIAC formally requested consideration from the DPH to revisit the winter sports of competitive cheerleading, competitive dance, wrestling and indoor track jumping events, as well as the spring sport of boys lacrosse.

The board acted to permit virtual competition for competitive cheerleading and competitive dance beginning March 1. Mask wearing will be required, with the exception of brief removal of the masks by performers engaged in stunts, lifts, tumbling and other acrobatics. Masks must immediately be put back on after those specific activities are completed. Complete coronavirus protocols and mitigating strategies for cheer and dance must be followed and will be redistributed to member schools next week, according to a written statement from the CIAC.

Wrestling will continue, in alignment with DPH recommendation, with only conditioning and non-contact skill building.

March 1 has been set as the date schools may begin indoor track dual meets. Those competing in running events must wear masks; those competing in jumping activities will be allowed to remove their masks during the approach and jump before putting the mask back on after the jump is complete. All other previously approved coronavirus protocols and mitigating strategies for indoor track must be followed, according to the CIAC.

Coronavirus mitigating plans are being developed for all spring sports, which will begin March 27 with the first contest date on April 10. The final date for regular season games to count toward the state tournament will be May 27. The CIAC plans on holding traditional spring sports tournaments from June 1 through June 13, according to the statement.

Spectator attendance at winter sporting events was discussed, with the board reaffirming its current position of fans and spectators not being allowed, However, due to the complexity of venues around the state, discretion of allowing spectators has been left to each local district. If a district chooses to allow fans, all DECD sector rules for spectator attendance at sporting events should be followed, according to the statement.

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