Jerry Lindsey wrote this article.
The Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) held its fall board meeting in a zoom format. Members announced several changes to the Alternative Plan for the Return to Play activities, established in July 2020.
Following the announcement of his spring 2021 retirement, Executive Director Steve Endsleys presented the dates for regional play in Boys Basketball (7th grade: February 20 and 22 through 26); 8th grade: February 27 and March 1 through 5); Girls Volleyball (7th grade: March 6, and 8 through 10); (8th grade: March 12, 13, 15, 16); Wrestling: March 6.
Competitive Cheerleading was postponed, with the possibility to be rescheduled at a later date.
In other action, the board agreed to reduce the number of scheduled games in Volleyball and Basketball from 24 to 15. All competition must be limited within Conferences or schools within a 30-mile radius or EMS Region only.
Contact days for sports not in season were redefined for the Fall Contact Period: November 2 through December 18, with 15 contact days only.
- Track and Field and Bowling may have intrasquad scrimmages with their own players.
- Basketball and Volleyball may have intrasquad scrimmages with their own players with parent permission. Face coverings must be worn during intrasquad scrimmages held indoors.
- Wrestling and Competitive Cheerleading may hold No-Contact practices and training.
- No intrasquad scrimmages are allowed. Schools are not allowed to scrimmage or have contests with other schools in any sports, during the Fall Contact Period November 2 through December 18.)