The NYSPHSAA made the decision to cancel winter state championship events, and postpone high-risk sports until receiving authorization from state officials.
We hear from officials about why the decision was made now, in mid-December, as opposed to waiting until closer to the previous Jan.
4 target start date.
2021 affected.
The new york state public high school athletic association has canceled all winter sports state championship events for the upcoming season.
In addition - the association has now postponed high-risk sports - such as ice hockey - basketball and wrestling in the winter -indefinitely until authorization is granted by state officials.
January fourth was the previous target start date to begin - that is no longer the case.
Low and moderate- risk sports - such as bowling and skiing will still be permitted for regular season competition and begin here december 14th.
Today - association officials addressed why this decision was made now as opposed to waiting it out a bit more.
Dr. robert zayas: i know a lot of people say why can't you wait right up until january 3 to make this decision.
Well because there are school districts that don't have school board approved approved coaches, there are physical exams and health history updates that need to be provided for student athletes to be able to participate in accordance with state education department regulations so it's not as easy as just saying on a friday afternoon we are going to start interscholastic athletics on a monday.
There are a lot of things that go into the whole process and our school administrators, most notably our dedicated athletic directors need time to prepare for a season.
We are not delaying the inevitable, we are not hiding anything, we are hind doing our best to remain optimistic and positive and we do have the goal of hosting high- risk sports this season.
If and when that goal does not look like it could be a reality we have no problem making the decision to inform the public about the decision but right now we are optimistic that this can be done spring state championship events remain on the schedule - but no high-risk sports in any season can begin until authorization is given.
This is the second year in a row that there will be no winter state championships in new york after the events were postponed this past march at the beginning of the pandemic.
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State high school athletic officials explain decision to cancel winter state championship events, and postpone high-risk sports..