The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) on Friday announced the cancellation of winter championships, including boys swimming and diving, though in-season competition can still continue.
Cancelling winter sports championships wipes out bowling, basketball, competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, indoor track & field, ice hockey, skiing, and wrestling, in addition to the boys swimming and diving championships usually held in February. Girls swimming and diving is a fall sport in New York State; fall sports championships were cancelled in July.
“When examining the feasibility of Winter State Championships, it became apparent that travel and overnight accommodations would create a unique challenge for our member schools,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director said Dr. Robert Zayas said in a statement. “At this time, we must prioritize maximizing student participation without a focus on championship events.”
#NYSPHSAA has announced that the 2021 Winter State Championships are cancelled and all high-risk sports will be postponed until authorization is provided by state officials. https://t.co/P61uDNBO1S pic.twitter.com/zOMXeuqTnO
— NYSPHSAA (@NYSPHSAA) December 11, 2020
Friday’s announcement included a postponement of all high-risk sports in the state as COVID-19 case numbers continue to climb. Until further notice from the state of New York, the NYSPHSAA won’t allow any competition in high-risk sports, specifically enumerated as “basketball, boys lacrosse, competitive cheerleading, football, ice hockey, volleyball, and wrestling.”
For low- to medium-risk sports, including swimming and diving, regular-season sports can continue, subject to public health conditions in local areas.
“As an educator, I am witnessing first-hand the challenges our member schools are facing each day in addressing this pandemic,” said Julie Bergman, NYSPHSAA President. “It is important we continue listening to the concerns being expressed by our membership when making decisions impacting interscholastic athletics.”