High school sports teams have the framework in place to start their winter seasons later this month or into early January after Thursday's Minnesota State High School League's Board of Directors meeting.
The MSHSL approved a return-to-participation plan once the current shutdown ends, which is scheduled to end on Dec. 19. Executive Order 20-99 went into effect on Nov. 20 in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Barring any new executive orders from the state, winter sports were approved to start practicing on Dec. 21 by a unanimous vote on Thursday morning at the MSHSL's board meeting. This would means games could resume on Jan. 4.
“With the dynamic nature of COVID-19, flexibility is going to be critical for our programs,” said Erich Martens, Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League. “We need to remain flexible in the start of seasons and in carrying them to conclusion.”
If the current pause in sports extends through another executive order from Gov. Tim Walz, the MSHSL also approved practice start dates for winter sports of Jan. 4 or Jan. 18. All three models have section tournaments concluding in late March, but official postseason dates were not approved.
All three models presented had spring sports starting on Mar. 29. The amount of games and competitions is dependent on the start date. The later the season begins, the fewer games each team will have.
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When winter sports are allowed to start their season, the MSHSL will align its recommendations with the state and health agencies. The MSHSL's goal is to demonstrate equality and fairness while acknowledging the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the winter season starts, there will be the required two weeks of practice before games and competitions can take place. The decision around postseason tournaments are tabled for a later date, but the idea of state tournaments are not ruled out.
The Winter season is benchmarked to end on Mar. 29, with the spring season ending on Jun. 14. There are only 24 weeks to play both the winter and spring seasons instead of the regular 31 weeks in this scenario.
All three models were passed unanimously. The board of directors added flexibility in light of the uncertainty around the state-wide sports pause.
“We know that the state and our schools are facing extremely high case counts and that adjustments in the models may need to take place, and if so, we are ready to make those adjustments in our calendar,” Martens said. “Should the winter season restart get pushed later, we may see shorter seasons and fewer games.”
During the meeting, the MSHSL also presented what the students and coaches can do during the pause.
Coaches are allowed to:
Connect with participants via electronic communication (i.e., email, social media, school approved communication tools.)
Provide optional individual workouts or optional individual skills training via electronic communication
Virtually connect with and support participants
Have in-person contact with a student when the coach is an instructor in a credit-earning class and the student is enrolled in the class, subject to the school’s learning model
Coaches are not allowed to:
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Have in-person contact with participants
Require or suggest groups of participants to gather
Suggest or support “captain’s practices” or “open gyms.”
Conduct tryouts or provide evaluations or feedback on participants’ performance
Require participants to take part in individual workouts or skills training, etc.
Place undue influence on participants to take part in any individual workouts or skills training
Students are allowed to:
Connect with coaches via electronic communication
Receive optional individual workouts or optional individual skills training via electronic communication
Virtually connect with and support teammates
Have in-person contact with a coach when the coach is an instructor in a credit-earning class and the student is enrolled in the class, subject to the school’s learning model
Students are not allowed to:
Have in-person contact with coaches or other participants
Require or suggest groups of participants to gather
Suggest, support, or participate in “captain’s practices” or “open gyms.”
Participate in tryouts or evaluations or receive feedback on their performance
Place undue influence on other students or participants to take part in any individual workouts or skills training
