BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Following Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement tier three mitigation measures will begin Friday, the Illinois High School Association’s board of directors on Thursday met to officially put on pause all winter sports.
“All IHSA sports and activities will cease by November 20 for what we hope is a short-term pause,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson.
“Given the rising COVID-19 cases in our state and region, we support the Governor’s mitigations and believe it is imperative for everyone in the state to do their part in following them so that we can return to high school sports participation as soon as possible.”
Tier three mitigation guidelines mandate a “pause [on] all indoor group sporting and recreational activities including youth and adult recreational sports, individual training may remain (with facility reservation).”
Additionally, locker rooms are not to be open.
The IHSA board said Nov. 16 would not be recognized as the start date to the winter sports season, even if mitigation guidelines are lifted during the season.
Coaches may hold one-on-one indoor training activities with players, but such activities are limited to one coach and one player per facility. Outdoor training may be conducted in groups of 10 or fewer, following masking and social distancing guidelines.
Additionally, open gym activities are not permitted, and practices and competitions may only be conducted virtually.
