Practices are ongoing and games are being scheduled as high school sports ramp back up again in Illinois amid the COVID-19 pandemic
High school basketball can tip off as soon as possible; football to start practices in early March
The IHSA Board of Directors on Wednesday is expected to announce scheduling for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, something Jane Stillman and others are anxiously awaiting.
Brian Brooks coached the last area high school boys' basketball team to win a state title, and the St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent is hopeful high school athletics will return this school year: 'Let's try to do as much as we can for these kids'
It can be confusing to figure out what the latest announcements about high school sports actually mean for athletes.
The Latest
An acclimatization schedule has been approved for lower-risk winter sports, and contact days are available to fall, spring and summer athletics on an unlimited basis.
Lower-risk sports can compete out of conference, medium-risk sports can compete within conferences and higher-risk sports can hold intra-team scrimmages.
The former St. Joseph-Ogden boys' coach replaces the ex-St. Thomas More coach, who departed Parkland's program before overseeing a game.
Lower-risk winter sports will receive a season start date soon, while the likelihood of events being held in higher-risk sports this school year continues to decrease.
The IHSA Board of Directors' latest meeting resulted in no change to the status of high school sports, which have been paused since mid-November.
IHSA board statement: "February seems like a realistic timeline to have sports resume statewide."
With three 2020-21 high school sports seasons still to be played, time is running out for those activities to be scheduled at all.
Wednesday's IHSA Board of Directors meeting is expected to include discussion about scheduling athletic seasons for the remainder of this school year.
IHSA officials hope to have low-risk winter sports in competition after the new calendar year begins, but basketball remains in a state of flux.
Champaign Central, Danville and Mahomet-Seymour all were represented in this early signing period class Wednesday.
The Maroons senior, a reigning News-Gazette All-Area second-team selection, is heading the Division I route.
The IHSA Board of Directors on Monday also approved club sports-related rules that will allow for some flexibility in multiple ventures.
When asked again Wednesday about the status of postponed fall sports, Illinois' governor stood firm on the delay of those ventures until springtime.
Monticello's football and track and field coach feels the resumption of postponed activities can benefit other sports.
IHSA representatives on Monday released a document indicating guidelines for and addressing questions about the organization's new fall contact days.
Football, volleyball and boys' soccer players wanting to stay in competition this fall can turn to any of the still-active IHSA sports being offered by their schools.
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson indicated last month postseason events may take on more of a regionalized approach. If they happen at all.
Uni High boys' soccer player Lucas Wood hopes the time leading up to the Illineks' next season can be used to make the program a local and statewide force.
One of just two returning News-Gazette All-Area first-team selections from last season, Warren also a veteran presence for Mahomet-Seymour group hit hard by graduation.
Questions remain as high school sports in Illinois will proceed this upcoming school year unlike any other in history
'It’s going to be important for coaches to share those days and get those kids something to do but we’re not wearing them out,' Unity athletic director and football coach Scott Hamilton said.
Today’s topic: What will area schools do about letting fans attend sporting events this upcoming school year?
Football, volleyball and boys' soccer all moving to the spring under new guidelines unveiled Wednesday afternoon
The following sports are among those that will happen in the spring, between Feb. 15 and May 1: Football, volleyball, boys' soccer.
With the IHSA Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, local coaches weighed in on different fall sports scenarios the group could consider.
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