The Philadelphia Catholic League announced on Monday that fall sports competition has been postponed.
This comes a few weeks after the Philadelphia Public League also postponed its fall sports season through at least January 1, 2021. That means there will be no fall sports -- including cross country -- in PIAA District 12 until the next calendar year.
"After much careful thought, consultation, and prayer a decision has been reached that all of our high schools will opt out of participation in interscholastic competition for the fall 2020 season," the PCL stated in a press release. "We recognize that this news is disappointing to many of our students, families and coaches, particularly our seniors. It saddens us greatly as well. We recognize the value of athletics as part of our educational philosophy that seeks to provide for the holistic formation of young men and women of character. This is not the scenario any of us desired."
This decision comes after Friday's decision by the PIAA that the fall sports season can begin, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The PIAA said that decisions can be made locally about the viability of sports and individual entities can opt out.
"We are confident that PIAA will seek to provide alternative solutions for those entities opting out of fall programs in the coming semester," the PCL said in its press release.