Although rumors suggested the PIAA would cancel Fall high school sports in Pennsylvania this week, the organization said the opposite.
In a statement released on July 15, PIAA said:
“PIAA is moving forward with the normal start of the Fall sports season unless otherwise directed by the Commonwealth. Heat Acclimatization for football begins on Aug. 10 and the first practice date for the remaining Fall sports will begin on Aug. 17.
Our focus is the health and safety of student athletes which is paramount in moving forward with athletics. Each member school has developed health and safety guidelines to allow athletics to continue as an important part of the school day. Participation in athletics has known health benefits, including promoting physical fitness and mental wellness which is necessary in a time of uncertainty for our student athletes.
PIAA is committed to providing a season for all sports in the upcoming school year and will be flexible if conditions would change.”
The PIAA hosts the following Fall sports in Pennsylvania:
- Cross country
- Field hockey
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Girls’ tennis
- Girls’ volleyball
- Water polo
Mixed Reaction to PIAA Statement on Fall Sports Moving Forward
Some people are not pleased with the PIAA statement this week. They believe the Fall sports season should be canceled on account of the coronavirus.
On Twitter, people tend to let loose. One person upset by PIAA’s statement said, “If sports go forward…the blood is on all of your hands.”
If sports go forward…the blood is on all of your hands.
— David Becker, Jr (@TheRealOPela) July 15, 2020
Another person writes, “This is just foolish,if colleges can’t deal with the variables that involve playing sports no way high schools can especially when each district has different resources,so PIAA basically thinking the environment is not compromised,but the liability if someone dies this is nuts.”
This is just foolish,if colleges can't deal with the variables that involve playing sports no way high schools can especially when each district has different resources,so PIAA basically thinking the environment is not compromised,but the liability if someone dies this is nuts.
— Gine Wade (@GinawadeGina) July 17, 2020
And more from the dramatic section. Someone reminds the PIAA about the blood and the hands. They say, “The blood is on all of your hands if any kid, coach or spectator die.”
The blood is on all of your hands if any kid, coach or spectator die
— 🏴☠️ F91 LaBelle F91 🏴☠️ (@LaBelle24) July 16, 2020
However, for every comment like those, there are at least 2 or 3 that support the PIAA’s statement and want to see high school sports start on time for the Fall season.
This summer, many local Schuylkill County communities started local baseball and softball seasons at all age levels. Travel teams started playing again, too. And so far, no spread of the virus has been reported that’s linked to these events.
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Rev Harry Powell
July 17, 2020 at 9:48 pm
I wonder if there would be no “disclaimers” would “the show go on”?
Dave
July 18, 2020 at 7:02 am
If sports are cancelled. This will be another thing lost during the pandemic. If students are willing to play the games, they should. The last I checked, the virus didn’t have a brain.
Zillie
July 18, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Protests are permitted but you cannot eat or drink in a bar or play sports? But you can shop in a grocery store and be an essential worker? Again, protests are permitted, but restaurants have 25% capacity…..where is the percentage of limitations on protesters? Oh, that is right…..that doesn’t count…people screaming and spitting all over the place..I wonder if that contributed to any of the COVID rise? I guess not because that does not fit the democratic agenda…..never have seen such dumb, and I mean dumb, rationalization of events in this country. The Democratic party is absolutely sickening. If there is such a thing as KARMA, democrats better run!