PIAA Board votes to delay fall sports season for 2 weeks

By Jose Negron

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Voices were heard and there is still a glimmer of hope that sports could be played this fall.

A day after Gov. Tom Wolf recommended the postponement of all recreational and interscholastic sports until Jan. 1, the PIAA responded by delaying the start of fall sports for two weeks.

The PIAA Board of Directors addressed the measure, which passed by a 30-2 vote, during a meeting Friday afternoon. 

“As we have noted, our member schools have worked diligently to develop health and safety plans in accordance with the Department of Health and Department of Education recommendations to allow students to safely return to interscholastic sports,” the PIAA said in a statement. “The PIAA Board of Directors has heard the thousands of voices of student-athletes, parents, coaches and community leaders that have contacted us. The board believes that the Governor’s strong recommendation to delay sports to Jan. 1, 2021 has a potential negative impact on the students’ physical, social, emotional and mental health. These issues along with the financial inability of many students to participate in any other form of non-school based athletic programs affect all students directly or indirectly.” 

During the two-week pause, the PIAA is asking to partner with Wolf, the department of health and the department of education to further discuss the future of fall sports. 

“We are also seeking insight and discussion from the Pennsylvania General Assembly,” the PIAA said. “It is clear to the PIAA, the unintended consequences of canceling fall sports need to be further reviewed.” 

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