NYSPHSAA CANCELS REMAINDER OF SPRING SEASON (2020-05-01)

Tioga County Sports Report
LATHAM, N.Y. — Spring sports season throughout New York state are officially canceled due to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement today that New York schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year.
 
Long Island (Sections VIII and XI) canceled regular-season events April 21. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s remaining sections, the New York Catholic High Schools Athletic Association, New York State Association of Independent Schools Athletic Association, Public Schools Athletic League of the City of New York (PSAL) have canceled all remaining spring sports.
 
According to NYSPHSAA press release released today, NYSPHSAA President Paul Harrica will begin the process of selecting members to serve on an ad hoc committee to address and analyze the potential impact of COVID-19 on the fall 2020 interscholastic athletic season.
 
The ad hoc committee will include school and district superintendents, principals, athletic directors, section executive directors and NYSPHSAA’s executive director as well as potential representation from the NYS Education Department, NYS School Boards Association and the NYS Department of Health. The committee will convene to make recommendations, if needed, to NYSPHSAA’s 11 member sections to assist with planning and coordination of high school athletic programs.    
 
“I would like to commend the work of the 11 NYSPHSAA Section Executive Directors who have worked tirelessly to benefit the students in their Sections. Many throughout our state were hopeful students would have the chance to participate in high school athletics this spring and return to some sense of normalcy,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director, said in the release. “Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis has taken a toll on many aspects of our lives and high school athletics is one of them. At this time, we must focus our attention on the health and safety of all New Yorkers. Please stay safe and stay positive during this difficult time.”  
 
On March 23, NYSPHSAA announced the cancellation of the four remaining winter state championship events. The organization was forced to cancel all spring state championships Monday as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.