Fall sports currently on schedule

The fate of fall sports - at least for now - appears to be trending in a positive direction.

During last week’s meeting of the board of directors of the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA), Executive Secretary David Jackson told board members his staff was optimistic that all fall sports can proceed as scheduled. However, he added,

However, he added, there should be some contingencies in place in case there is another surge in coronavirus cases that causes another shutdown.

The board, meeting via Zoom, approved a 2020-21 calendar after ensuring a notation will be added stating it is subject to change because of the pandemic.

The board is likely to hold a special meeting later this month or in July to address special policy regarding a plan in case sports are interrupted by coronavirus.

Since spring sports and the early portion of summer activities were interrupted, the board canceled this year’s “dead period.”

The dead period is a week-plus in which student-athletes and coaches cannot use school facilities to practice, work out, host camps or any other activities related to the OSSAA.

Last summer was the first time it was practiced.

Since there were three months in which student-athletes weren’t allowed to take part in activities, Jackson told the board it was the staff’s opinion the dead period wasn’t necessary this year. The board agreed and

The board agreed and voted to pass cancellation - for this year only - unanimously.

The dead period is the week of July 4 as well as the weekend before and after. It would have been June 27-July 5 this year.