IHSA Officially Cancels Spring Tournaments; Leaves Open Possibility of Spring Contests

By Mark Jurgena

This morning the IHSA officially cancelled their 2019-2020 spring sports tournaments during a remote video conference meeting of the Board of Directors. However, according to its website, they put in a provision allowing spring sports to possibly have some competitions.

The statement on their website reads:

“If state government &medical (sic) leaders indicate such gatherings are safe, some limited spring sport games may be allowed, & summer contact guidelines will be posted.”

The IHSA did say that summer contact days are suspended for now.

School officials across the state are waiting for clarifications on the parameters of this decision. A further statement is expected this afternoon.

Last Friday Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzger and the Illinois State Board of Education suspended in-person learning for the rest of the academic year. 

Wisconsin cancelled their spring tournaments and seasons today as well. They have put in a provision allowing summer contact days although the wording by the WIAA is ambiguous as to the inclusion of seniors. 

They follow border states Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa. The Hoosier state cancelled April 2nd, Missouri cancelled theirs April 9th. Last Friday Iowa called off their spring seasons. As of now, Kentucky will revisit their plan May 1st. 

Missouri provided a glimmer of hope last week in a press release that would allow seniors to be classified as enrolled students that could take part in summer interscholastic competitions.