Gracie Herring contributed to this report. Photo by Gracie Herring / Neuse News.

By Mackenzie Cannon

On Wednesday, July 8, at 11:00 am, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) held a zoom meeting with Commissioner Que Tucker to discuss what could be happening with sports for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. 

There were no major announcements today, due to the NCHSAA waiting to make their decision based off of what Governor Cooper will say about returning to school in the fall. Although no major announcements were made, it is clear that unless conditions are well enough for athletes to be in the classroom, they will be holding off on their return to the field or court. Tucker stated, “Education comes first. Athletics is an extension of the classroom.”

Following the June 8 guidelines that were sent out by the NCHSAA discussing the start of conditioning and workouts, schools were informed that it is up to them to choose what they feel is best, regarding their athletes. High schools have to follow the guidelines that were delivered, but can be more strict if they feel it necessary. 

The pending start date of August 1 is as firm as it can be, as of right now, awaiting an announcement from Governor Cooper. The NCHSAA has many plans regarding coaching staff and players, but no-one is sure of what plans can be put in place until that decision has been made. During the Zoom call, the question of when sports will return was discussed, but also how long the fall and spring sports season might last.

Tucker stressed the importance of giving kids their chance to play the game they love while stating, “If we get the go-ahead and it’s October 1st, we will put together something so fall sports could play, even if it’s just a month, with possibly no playoffs.” There was also the discussion of possibly having a conference championship. 

There are too many questions that need to be answered by doctors and researchers before a date can be set regarding when, and if, fall sports can be back in action. The idea of swapping the spring and fall sports seasons seemed to have been shut down as of right now when Tucker made the statement, “There would have to be enough notice to flipflop sports seasons. Membership would have to agree, as well as spring sports coaches - not just football coaches.”

Regarding the athletes participating in sporting events outside of school, the NCHSAA is aware that they can not control what parents allow their children to participate in. They have asked that you continue to practice the 3 W’s, wear a mask, wait six feet apart, and wash your hands, whether you are on the field or off the field.