CIAC: There Will Be A Fall Season!
As states across the nation announced plans for fall sports — with some completely canceled, others pushed back to spring — Connecticut athletes and coaches waited anxiously for news.
The state’s falling COVID case numbers — among the lowest in the country — contributed to today’s announcement by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference: There will be a fall sports season. It will be different in some respects from past years. And it is contingent on cases and transmissions remaining low. But compared to many places, the news is good.
Among the key decisions: There will be a maximum number of 12 regular games (down from 16 pre-COVID), with no more than 2 games per week.
“Competition schedules should be scheduled within a region of the 10 closest schools to mitigate potential spread and maximize contact tracing capability,” the CIAC said. It is unclear whether that means Staples would play the closest schools within the FCIAC, or if it would include nearby non-FCIAC schools, such as Weston, Fairfield Prep and Joel Barlow. Details will be announced later.
There will be a “tourney experience (format TBA)” from November 2 to 15. Whether that means an FCIAC and state tournament, only one or the other, or a state tournament that involves fewer games (and perhaps more divisions) has not yet been determined.
Key dates:
August 27-September 2 (Groups of 15): 30 minutes of conditioning, 30 minutes of skill work allowed.
September 3-10: (Groups of 15) 45 minutes of conditioning, 45 minutes of skill work allowed.
September 11-23: (Full team) 45 minutes of conditioning, 75 minutes of skill work allowed.
September 18: First scrimmage date
September 24: First match date
October 30: Final regular season match date
In addition, each school will determine policies for spectator attendance.
“Compared with other states, this is a very full and robust plan,” says head coach Dan Woog. “The CIAC — which is comprised of superintendents, principals, athletic directors, coaches and full-time staff — has done a thorough and admirable job. They’ve looked at all possibilities, figured out problems and ways to solve them, and taken their time. There is no road map for this, and there are no right or wrong answers. Now it is up to all of us to show that this can work.
“I’m thrilled that our players will have a season — and one as normal as possible, given the circumstances. They have been through a lot these past few months. They’ve been very good about following the rules and regulations so far. They can’t wait to get back on the field, and we can’t wait to join them. See you all — I hope — on The Hill!”
Click here for the full CIAC plan.
