MSHSAA Member Schools Superintendents, Principals, Athletic Directors, Coaches, and Officials
The MSHSAA Office has received several inquiries about spring sports and scholar bowl continuing this year. At this time, we are on hold for making a decision until we know more what the schools are going to do based upon their local health department, recommendations from the CDC, and state government. We are interscholastic activities and sports; therefore, if schools do not return to session this school year, then we cannot have a spring season. Right now there is too much unknown to make any decisions or adjustments, until we are later into April to see what happens with schools. Once the decisions have been made regarding education for the remainder of the year, we will determine our path. We are the tail, not the dog in this situation.
MSHSAA is committed to the safety of our student-participants and the health of our school communities. Accordingly, in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations regarding public gatherings, schools are reminded that it is not prudent for any number of students to gather for workouts, regardless of how those students gather or whether any MSHSAA rules are broken by said gathering. While schools are closed due to the COVID-19, teams are not allowed to practice or participate in competitions. This includes informal/player-led practices or any type of instructional session. National, state, and local governmental leaders are clear: To help our country slow the spread of this pandemic, the best thing society can do is limit its interaction with one another. So, despite how difficult this may be, the MSHSAA office strongly recommends students, parents, coaches, and non-school coaches/trainers follow this advice. Doing so could ultimately end up salvaging the spring sports season.