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The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors voted unanimously (180) 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-SepPizza “2 for Tuesday” Indulge in our Pizza "2 for Tuesday" every Tuesdays at Breakaway. A deal that you can't resist! You have the option to dine in or pick up! To learn more, call us at 978-774-7270. 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com Facebook.com/ advocate.news.ma tember, 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 offi ce by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) as well as guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Ele505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family H Girls soccer teams are hoping to get out on the fi elds this fall. They all await word from state agencies. (Steve Freker Photo) In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today mentary 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 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 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 fi rst-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 crosscountry, 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 fl ip-fl opping 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.
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