The current COVID-19 pandemic has become the point of focus and concern for all educational institutions. The IHSA has been monitoring and providing constant guidelines for allowing sport activities to continue within IDPH guidelines. IHSA Board of Directors approved Phase 3 Guidelines on June 5, 2020, followed by an adjusted Phase 4 Guidelines on July 3, 2020.
The most recent adjustment allows participation of all sports activities, within a revised season calendar, that allows all previous sports to be completed within an expanded school year calendar.
The following press release best explains the intentions of the IHSA toward the 2020-2021 school sports schedules.
Return To Play Guidelines were developed by the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH.) On Monday, September 14, 2020, the IHSA Board of Directors modified the Return to Activities. Certain fall sports will not be allowed to happen in the fall. As a result, the IHSA calendar will be adjusted with the following tentative timelines.
• Teams will play shortened regular season schedules in Winter, Spring, and Summer.
• State Series events for all sports will be determined on a sport-by-sport basis.
• Activities that can happen virtually can remain in their traditional seasons.
• Activities that cannot happen virtually could potentially need to adjust their seasons.
• On July 29, the IHSA Board modified the current Phase 4 Return to Play Guidelines, to allow for fall contact days to begin on Monday of Week 10 (September 7) and continue until the end of Week 17 (October 31.) There is a 20-day limit on contact days during that time period for any sport not in season.
Fall (August 10 to October 24, in “traditional” season)
Boys and Girls Golf – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
Girls Tennis – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
Boys and Girls Cross Country – in groups of 50 or less where multiple groups are distanced a minimum of 30 ft apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
Girls Swimming and Diving – less than 50 in attendance with multiple groups distancing 30 ft. apart. Competitions should be within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
Spectator and group gatherings are subject to IDPH guidelines during this time (less than 50 participants, social distancing, etc…).
NOTE: Football, Girls Volleyball, and Boys Soccer are moved to a Spring 2021 season. See below. If a school does not have a Girls’ Volleyball and/or a Boys’ Football team, schools may conduct Softball and Baseball seasons respectively, in accordance with current IHSA By-laws 5.010 and 5.260.
Spectator and group gatherings are subject to IDPH guidelines for outside activities.
Winter (November 16, 2020, to February 13, 2021)
Boys and Girls Basketball
Wrestling
Boys Swimming and Diving Competitive
Cheerleading
Competitive Dance
Boys and Girls Bowling
Girls Gymnastics
• Contests can begin November 30 within an Illinois COVID Region or within a conference.
• Schools are limited to the current season limitation for contests during a season.
• State Series TBD.
Spectator and group gatherings subject to IDPH guidelines during this time.
Spring (February 15, 2021, to May 1)
Football
Boys Soccer
Girls Volleyball
Girls Badminton
Boys Gymnastics
Boys and Girls Water Polo
• Contests can begin March 1 in all sports except Football, which may begin on March 5 to allow for acclimatization.
• Schools are limited to the current season limitation for contests during a season. (Football is allowed one game/week.)
• State Series TBD.
• Football: Schools should anticipate a seven-game regular season, followed by a Regional post-season at minimum.
Spectator and group gatherings subject to IDPH guidelines during this time.
Summer (April 19, 2021, to June 26)
Baseball
Softball
Boys and Girls Track and Field
Girls Soccer
Boys Volleyball
Boys and Girls Lacrosse
Boys Tennis.
