PIAA Board Approves Fall Sports Season

The PIAA Board of Directors voted Friday, Aug. 21, to permit fall sports to begin Monday, Aug. 24, based on local school decisions.

The board agreed the decision to compete in athletics should be made locally allowing for each school entity to decide whether to proceed and which sports to sponsor.

As the health and safety of students is paramount in moving forward with athletics, the board believes that through each member schools’ adherence to their developed school health and safety plans and the PIAA Return to Competition guidelines, sports can continue.

The PIAA Board of Directors heard the thousands of voices of student-athletes, parents, coaches, officials and community leaders. The board reminded those individuals who have strongly advocated for athletics that they must keep strick adherence to school health and safety plans. All individuals involved in interscholastic athletic communities have a role in the health and wellness of all participants, the board said.

The board said the PIAA is committed to providing a season for all sports and all student-athletes in the upcoming school year and will continue to remain flexible. The board also voted that based on local school decisions, the PIAA will monitor school participation in fall sports and may pursue alternate solutions if needed.

The following are the updated starts for the fall sports:

• Golf – Aug. 24, first practice date; Aug. 27, first scrimmage date; Aug. 27, first contest date

• Girls’ Tennis – Aug. 24, first practice date; Aug. 29, first scrimmage date; Aug. 31, first contest date

• Cross Country – Aug. 24, first practice date; Aug. 29, first scrimmage date; Sept. 11, first contest date

• Girls’ Volleyball – Aug. 24, first practice date; Aug. 29, first scrimmage date; Sept. 11, first contest date

• Soccer – Aug. 24, first practice date; Aug. 29, first scrimmage date; Sept. 11, first contest date

• Football – Aug. 24, first practice date; Sept. 5, first scrimmage date; Sept. 11, first contest date