OHSAA, Ohio High School Sports Get Go-Ahead from Governor

ohsaa-c.t.branin-natatorium-canton-ohio-2015

OHSAA Championships in 2015 Photo Courtesy: Emma Gresser

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) got the approval of Gov. Mike DeWine Tuesday to sanction contact sports in the fall.

The green light includes football, but other contact sports like soccer and field hockey are also covered. The sports had been in a holding pattern with August practices suspended. The order goes into effect Friday.

The ruling doesn’t directly apply to swimming and diving, which is a winter sport for the OHSAA. Practices for swimming begin in late October with competition beginning in late November; some states have issued delays lasting at least that long into the fall.

DeWine, who had an apparent false positive test for COVID-19 earlier this month, met with administrators and sports officials to produce sport-specific guidelines for competition in seven sports (cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer, girls tennis, volleyball). They include squad limitations for contact sports, schedule alterations and spectator capacities.

“I hope that the desire to have a season will inspire our young people, our athletes, our student-athletes, 24/7 to be as careful as they can,” DeWine said during a press conference. “I hope also that our coaches will use this an opportunity to focus on helping these young people understand what really is at stake. If they are going to be able to play, that they are going to have to do everything they can to keep COVID out of their team.”

The announcement was accompanied by the OHSAA lifting a prohibition on playing fall sports in the spring, which offers an alternative if competition can’t proceed this fall.

“The OHSAA is moving forward because we want kids to have an opportunity to participate, and the Governor’s Office is providing that opportunity and a chance,” OHSAA interim executive director Bob Goldring said in a press statement. “So for that we are most appreciative. It’s important to remember that our student-athletes have been practicing and training with others for weeks and even months, and it has gone well. So, we believe they deserve the chance to move forward, and that the high school space is also different than the collegiate space.”

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David C. Graham

3 years ago

is that pool in Canton? next to the football HOF?

Jolene Allen

3 years ago

Reply to David C. Graham

David C. Graham yes

David C. Graham

3 years ago

Reply to David C. Graham

Jolene Allen WOW, i swam at that pool 2 years in a row at YWMCA Nationals in 1991and 1992,,,,,,,, what a fast pool!

Michele Anderson

3 years ago

Reply to David C. Graham

C.T. Branin Natatorium is getting a makeover and will likely be even faster.

Scott Leindecker

3 years ago

Reply to David C. Graham

David C. Graham yep I swam NAIAs there in 1990 ?

Dan DiSalle

3 years ago

Reply to David C. Graham

David C. Graham a.k.a. “The Thunderdome” because it gets so loud during Ohio High School State Championships that’s been held there every year since the early 1970’s

Brian Katz

3 years ago

Reply to David C. Graham

Yes.

Kimberly Ann

3 years ago

How can high schools in Ohio have sports but not the college’s!!

Mickey McNeil

3 years ago

Reply to Kimberly Ann

Kimberly Ann it is still based on schools, colleges, clubs, leagues/associations etc to decide to participate. It is noted in the Health order

Ja Bounce

3 years ago

Soooooooo CONTACT sports are ok, but nothing yet on Polo or Swimming when clearly NO current U.S testing results (from any of the majors – WHO, CDC, etc) have proven that Chlorinated pools Do/Do-not combat against the virus?!? Show the results/numbers (current) from U.S aquatic centers that have the green up to date!!! #SeemToBePlayingFavoriteToTraditionalSports

Mickey McNeil

3 years ago

Reply to Ja Bounce

Ja Bounce the Ohio Health Order applies to all sports.

Jennifer Williams

3 years ago

Suzette Houkes Foll

3 years ago

Count your blessings Ohio!!!

Mickey

3 years ago

FYI The OHIO Health Order for all Sports Provides Mandatory Requirements for Youth, Collegiate, Amateur, Club and Professional Sports

Mickey McNeil

3 years ago

Please note that The OHIO Health Order for ALL Sports Provides Mandatory Requirements for Youth, Collegiate, Amateur, Club and Professional Sports.
So, basically all sports in Ohio must follow this order as long as it is in effect.

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/publicorders/Requirements-Youth-Collegiate-Amateur-Club-Pro-Sports-reader.pdf

Karen Tejes-Selby

3 years ago

Swimming was given the go ahead at several Wisconsin high schools.

Lisa

3 years ago

In Ohoo, pools that normally rent to high school teams and some clubs are not renting out space to them at all. This will be problematic to have a bona-fide high school season in Ohio where few schools have pools and NFew to No COLLEGES and YMCA’s are renting or available for hosting any swim meets.