OSSAA sticking to its guns...for now

The OSSAA’s stance on rescheduling a number of sporting events hadn’t changed early this week.

However, a major shift by the state Department of Education could move that stance by the end of this week.

OSSAA staff announced March 16 that it still planned to make every attempt to reschedule the Class 2A-6A state basketball tournaments and have a spring sports season.

That announcement came after a day-long meeting of OSSAA staff members and consultation with OSDE, the national association and associations in the region among others.

The OSSAA then announced at 11:30 a.m. Monday that none of that had changed.

“At this time nothing has changed in terms of school closures, so the OSSAA’s position outlined below remains unchanged,” its website read.

However, later in the day, it was announced the OSDE would recommend shuttering schools for the rest of this school year and transition to a distance learning model.

That recommendation would include extra-curricular activities and would be voted on Wednesday by the state Board of Education (after press time).

Assuming that recommendation passes the board, it would, at the very least, affect spring sports and activities.

The OSSAA said it will provide its next update no later than Thursday, March 26.

Look for the latest on that update in Sunday’s edition of the Times & Free Press.