PIAA Gives The OK For Fall Sports


There will be a fall sports season in Pennsylvania in 2020.

By a vote of 25-5, the PIAA Board of Directors' passed on motion to follow through with starting the fall sports season on Monday, August 24. That date is two weeks after the originally scheduled start time, which was pushed back at a PIAA meeting a few weeks ago.

The PIAA has set Monday, August 24 as the start date for practices, the first scrimmage date in Saturday, August 29, and the first contest date is Friday, September 11.

While the season is a go on the state level, the PIAA has allowed an option for decisions to be made on a local level and individual school districts can opt out (and a number of schools already have).

"The Board agrees 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," the PIAA stated in a press release. "As the health and safety of students in 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 acknowledged they have heard from "thousands of voices" from the various communities in the various sports. The PIAA said it will be "flexible" and still may "pursue alternate solutions."

As for the question of spectators, PIAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Lombardi said that due to restrictions put in place by the governor's office, spectators are currently no allowed at sporting events, though they are looking for solutions.

"We have asked for consideration (from the governor's office) and we have not heard back," Lombardi said.