Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 24, 2020 MIAA Board votes to delay start of High School Fall Sports season to Sept. 14 Hope remains for H.S. fall teams, though state officials will have the final say in August By Steve Freker H igh school student-athletes all across Massachusetts who are hoping to get out there and compete in fall sports got a major boost Tuesday. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors voted unanimously (18-0) to accept the MIAA COVID-19 Task Force’s recommendation to push back the start of all fall sports until Monday, Sept. 14. By waiting until mid-September, it would mean fall athletics would not begin until schools are back in session. Most high schools in Massachusetts, including those in Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus, are scheduled to begin classes between Sept. 1 and Sept. 8. The Sept. 14 start date would also mean that is the date supervised practices and workouts might begin with coaches working with players. Games would not be scheduled or held until at least a week after that date, two weeks or more for football, under the proposal voted on by the Board. Even still, despite the MIAA Board’s positive vote, the fate of fall sports still lies with guidelines still to be set and released through Governor Charlie Baker’s office by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) as well as guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). MIAA’s vote represents positive progress, but the state agencies will announce sometime in early August what fall sports, if any, they determine can safely be played at the High school football teams are chomping at the bit waiting to get started, but now they will have to wait until at least Sept. 14 to start up. Above, Revere High’s Lucas Barbosa runs for more yards. (Courtesy Photo/ Revere HS Football) high school level. At this time at least two major fall sports, football and soccer, are listed in a “Level 3” category, under Gov. Baker’s phased Reopening Plan. Level 3 sports, under the plan, are designated as “higher risk” for potential transmission of COVID-19 and, as stated at present, games would not be allowed at any point of Phase III and would be considered for Phase IV. Gov. Baker has previously announced that Massachusetts remains in Phase III and would not advance to Phase IV (designated “Return to Normal”) until there is a COVID-19 vaccine. For fall sports games to be played this season, a change in that present stance would have to be made and advanced. “It was a truly positive move, but there is still a lot of work Girls soccer teams are hoping to get out on the fields this fall. They all await word from state agencies. (Steve Freker Photo) to do and a lot of decisions to be made before we get to actually beginning a fall sports season,” said Malden Public Schools Director of Athletics Charlie Conefrey, who is a first-year member of the MIAA Board of Directors. Conefrey joined his colleagues in approving the Task Force’s recommendation. “Everyone wants to see the student-athletes out there participating and competing in athletics,” Conefrey said, “but the safety and health of all involved – students, coaches, staff and families – are the number one priority. It would have to be done safely; that is the bottom line.” Also in question is whether some fall sports, which are categorized in lower risk levels, such as golf and cross-country, might be allowed to be played, while others in the highest risk category, football and soccer particularly, might not be allowed. According to sources, a number of high school athletic directors would be hesitant to allow some sports to go forward and others not allowed. Additionally, there has been a recurrent “I heard that...” rumor the MIAA may be considering flip-flopping fall sports with spring sports seasons for the 2020-21 school year, but this proposition has not been offered or discussed at all at the MIAA level to date. Fall athletics were originally scheduled to begin for most sports on Aug. 24, with football starting Aug. 21. In addition to the recommendation to delay fall sports, the MIAA Board of Directors voted to accept two other proposals put forward by the Task Force. The Board agreed to follow any guidelines established by the state EEA and DESE agencies regarding fall athletics, and to meet again following the release of the guidance to make any further announcements on fall sports. Middlesex Sheriff’s Office announces virtual Youth Public Safety Academy C HELMSFORD – Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is inviting Middlesex County families to participate in a series of live, virtual Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) events beginning July 29 at 10 a.m. The virtual series will replace the annual in-person camp designed for youngsters ages eight to 12 that was cancelled this year due to COVID-19. The live session will include videos and presentations on important public safety topics. “YPSA is one of our most successful community programs,” said Koutoujian. “Each year, more than 1,000 youngsters participate alongside our staff and other public safety professionals from across Middlesex County. Not only do participants learn valuable safety lessons, but they build relationships with the public safety professionals who work hard to keep them safe. This virtual series will allow us to maintain and strengthen the important connections we strive to make with our county’s youngest residents.” Families wishing to register for the series can email YPSA@ sdm.state.ma.us to learn more.
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