PIAA Responds To Gov. Wolf's Fall Sports Ban Recommendation

PENNSYLVANIA — The PIAA on Friday pushed back on Gov. Wolf's recent recommendation that all sports be delayed until 2021, stating that they believe the fall season could be "reasonably safe" if all coronavirus health protocols are strictly followed.

The statement came following weeks of back and forth between Wolf's administration and the state's governing body for high school athletics, which has left an atmosphere of uncertainty for students and schools around Pennsylvania.

"It is clear to the PIAA, the unintended consequences of cancelling fall sports need to be further reviewed," the PIAA said after a meeting of its Board of Directors Friday afternoon, calling on Gov. Wolf, the Departments of Health and Education, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reconsider the guidance.

In the statement, the PIAA noted the negative impacts which canceling sports would have on the "physical, social, emotional, and mental" health of students. They also noted that canceling high school athletics would leave many lesser fortunate students who could not afford private leagues with no athletic programs, or no after-school options at all.

On Thursday, Gov. Wolf cited the transmission of the virus that is occurring in organized sports as his reason to recommend the delay.

"The guidance is that we ought to avoid any congregate settings, and that means anything that brings people together is going to help that virus get us," Wolf said. "Anytime we get together for any reason, that's a problem."

His comments diverted from his administration's standing guidance on sports issued in June. In a statement following the press conference, Wolf clarified the state guidance would be updated to reflect this "strong recommendation."

However, as of Friday, the decision remains with school administrators as to whether or not they wish to proceed with the fall sports season. Some schools have already announced they will not be participating, while, on the local level, some leagues and conferences have delayed the beginning of the season to give administrators more time to evaluate the situation.

As far the PIAA goes, they published guidelines last week for high schools to follow heading into the fall, and they reiterated their support for that guidance Friday, saying they "remained committed" to having a fall 2020 season for every sport.

"Based on currently known information, the Committee believes that strict adherence by schools and teams to their school adopted plans and the Governor's School Sports Guidance should provide a reasonably safe environment for student athletes to participate in interscholastic athletics as currently scheduled," the PIAA said.

For now, mandatory fall sports activities are delayed until at least Aug. 21, when the PIAA Board plans to reconvene. Voluntary activities, such as practices at which attendance is not required, may continue.