Rules for contact sport competition are outlined
The Ohio High School Athletic Association told its member schools Tuesday night that the organization assumes fall sports will start on time, beginning on Aug. 1 with a usual series of tournaments in 10 fall sports.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association told its member schools Tuesday night that the organization assumes fall sports will start on time, beginning on Aug. 1 with a usual series of tournaments in 10 fall sports.
The email comes after Lt Gov. Jon Husted outlined short-term guidelines for contact sports to go forward until July 15.
“As you all have seen during this pandemic, those plans can be modified or cancelled quickly,” wrote Brian Goldring, the interim executive director. Former executive director Jerry Snodgrass stepped down last week.
The short-term guidelines are mandatory. Here is look at the most important:
• Participants show no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 72 hours prior to competition.
• Athletes and team staff members must receive a negative COVID-19 test result before traveling to a competition.
• If an athlete or staff member tests positive, the entire team would be prohibited from participation in the competition.
• At all times, participants must adhere to general quarantine by limiting contact with others to only teammates and team staff.
• Require athletes and staff to wear face coverings at all times while outside rooms but within their quarantine areas (i.e travel to event with team).
No spectators are permitted for any competitive contact sports play.
Goldring wrote during this one week period, practices and open gyms with another tam or club are permitted along as the above requirements are met.
These new guidelines apply to contact sports. Volleyball has been declared a non-contact sport, like baseball, golf, softball, swimming and diving and track and field. The OHSAA said the governor’s office has not declared what category cross country falls into.
Gov. Mike DeWine also launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #IWantASeason to encourage Ohio athletes to encourage their friends to wear masks and practice social distancing.
