Florida High School Athletic Association Sets Emergency Meeting for Thursday

Florida High School Athletic Association Sets Emergency Meeting for Thursday

Three days after the Florida High School Athletic Association voted to move forward with its original July 27 start date for fall sports, the organization has called for an emergency meeting of its Board of Directors to be held tonight at 5 p.m. The meeting again will focus on what to do with the fall sports season, which includes swimming. Florida ranks among the best states in the country in the sport.

On Monday, the FHSAA voted, 10-5, to move forward with the opening of all fall sports, despite a recommendation from the organization’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) to delay the start of the season. Over the past few days, board members have been asked to review SMAC’s report and the ramifications associated with holding a fall season during COVID-19, which is running wild in Florida. The contents of the SMAC report will be the primary focus of the meeting. Swimming is listed as one of the lower-risk sports, with football and volleyball defined as high risk.

A reason for the emergency meeting is the fact that multiple districts and schools around the state have already stated they will not have student-athletes and coaches open practice on July 27, the first allowable date. These districts have cited COVID-19 concerns for their decisions and have stated they are making the safety of parties involved as their top priority.

The Pine Crest School, with a rich swimming tradition and last year’s 2A state champions, has already indicated that its fall sports have been canceled. In South Florida, where COVID-19 is most prevalent, numerous districts are still working through how they will open the academic year.

Different scenarios have emerged around the country for how high school sports are being handled during the pandemic. While some states have decided to move forward, some areas have delayed the start of the fall season while others have indicated a desire to play fall sports later in the school year.

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