RELEASE – Columbia, Mo.- The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Board of Directors met virtually on Thursday morning August 13, 2020. The Board took action to approve alternate seasons if a school has a sport or sports that cannot continue in the traditional season.
“The traditional seasons are still being offered at this time for those schools able to participate,” said MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. Kerwin Urhahn, “Today’s action by the Board of Directors puts into place a plan of action our staff devised in the event a school is not able to participate partially or in whole. This could give those students an opportunity to complete a season in their sport.”
Schools may use the alternate Fall sport seasons for any sport if the sport meets certain thresholds including, but not limited to, length of traditional season participation and access to traditional postseason. Schools choosing to use the alternate Fall season for any sport will automatically be included in the alternate Spring season. Schools may opt out of any alternate Spring sport season(s) by contacting the MSHSAA office.
In the plan, the Winter season would remain intact with the first possible practice being Monday, November 1st. The Winter season concludes on March 20th. Schools would be allowed to join the Winter season when their local guidelines allow.
In the alternate Fall season, the first allowable competitions would be able to begin on March 12th and concluding by May 1st. For the alternate Spring season, competitions would be able to begin on May 14th and conclude by July 10th. A school’s team competing in an alternate season for any sport may not exceed the allowable number of weeks allowed in the traditional season as well as not exceed any contest limitations of the traditional season.
This morning the Board of Directors met to discuss and consider potential adjustments to opportunities for member schools affected by restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the discussion, the board took action to grant relief to by-laws and board policies allowing for the scheduling of alternate Fall and Spring sport seasons for schools unable to participate in the traditional Fall sport season as well as late entry, if needed, into the Winter sport season.
This action DOES NOT cancel the traditional sport seasons, AT THIS TIME. However, with the ever-changing environment schools must continue to communicate with their local health departments.
Below are the preliminary details, more information will be provided as determined. Following this is a link to the Press Release being shared with the public.
2020 – 2021 Alternate Seasons
For schools able to participate in the traditional seasons offered, those will be available.
Traditional Sport Seasons:
• Fall – 17 Weeks (3 practice, 14 comp)
• Winter – 20 Weeks (3 practice, 17 comp)
• Spring – 14 Weeks (3 practice, 11 comp)
All championship venues and locations for traditional sport seasons are subject to change.
Alternate Season Option
This option is being offered to member schools unable to participate in the traditional Fall season for any sport. Schools may use the alternate Fall and Spring Sport seasons if they:
• completely canceled any Fall season sport
• access to the Alternate Seasons may be considered on a sport-by-sport basis
Traditional Winter Sports Season:
• schools may jump in when local guidelines allow
• will end on March 20
Alternate Season:
• Fall Sports – Competition Season: March 12 to May 1 (7 Weeks)
• Spring Sports – Competition Season: May 14 to July 10 (8 Weeks)
Procedures
• Declaration of Intent
o Schools wishing to participate in the Fall Alternate Season for any sport shall notify the office no later than Friday, September 11, 2020
o A school who is forced to shut down any sport after the September 11 deadline, shall request the office for access to the Fall Alternate Season
• Spring Alternate Season
o A school electing to participate in the Fall Alternate Season for any sport will, by default, be placed in the Spring Alternate Season for ALL Spring Sports
o A school may request to the MSHSAA office to participate in the Traditional Spring Season for any Spring Sport if they opted into the Fall Alternate season.
