Wisconsin High Schools to Delay Some Fall Sports, Swimming to Begin Aug. 17

usa-swimminggeneric-world-aquatics-garrett-coach-coaches-alan-bircher-bill-woolsey-bard-anderson-roanoke

Wisconsin high school fall sports will go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the WIAA Board of Control announced, but some changes to the schedule were announced.

During a recent virtual meeting, the 11-member group passed by an 8-3 vote a motion to start the girls swimming season on Aug. 17, along with girls tennis, girls golf and boys and girls cross country seasons on Aug. 17, according to news reports.

But the start of football, boys soccer and girls volleyball will be pushed back to Sept. 7, and also left open the possibility for some movement to the spring season for schools/regions that could not compete in the fall, but that will be decided at a later date, according to the La Crosse Tribune.

“I think, when you look at our area, the southwest plan was a pretty good option,” Central activities director Joe Beran told the La Crosse Tribune. “I think, considering where we are, that it’s going to be really difficult to play football this fall unless things start to change really fast. It will all depend on the (Coulee COVID-19) Compass. Do we have to be in the green to play, or can we play in the yellow? We still have to talk about that.”

Prior to the vote, there was a meeting that lasted nearly three hours where several scenarios were brought up and discussed.

Members reported results of surveys they distributed in their geographical areas, and most indicated a desire for the fall season to begin at a delayed date, according to the Tribune.

Some administrators in the southwestern part of the state proposed a move from the fall season to spring and spring to next summer. Under the proposed scenario, the current fall season would begin in March and finish in late May. Spring sports would start in May and end in July.

But that scenario was not how most parties felt and the Wisconsin high schools will start as decided.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use