GAINESVILLE, FL – The FHSAA continues to monitor developments regarding the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) and its impact on Florida and local communities.
Schools and school districts should continue to follow state and local health department advisories regarding extracurricular activities and athletic contests.
Following CDC recommendations regarding limiting unnecessary travel, the FHSAA meetings listed below will be held via teleconference. Specific directions to follow.
March 18 – Winter Sports Officials Advisory Committee
March 23 – Basketball Advisory Committee
April 1 – Section 2 Appeals Hearing
April 2 – Section 3 Appeals Hearing
April 3 – Section 4 Appeals Hearing
April 7 – Section 1 Appeals Hearing
April 8 – Athletic Directors Advisory Committee
**AT THIS TIME, THERE HAS BEEN NO FINAL DECISION MADE CONCERNING STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Spring Sports FAQs
1. If our school or school district has cancelled all extra-curricular activities, may we practice? Practice is a school and/or school district-based decision. Provided your school and/or school district permits you to do so, practices are permitted.
2. May we continue to play games if our school or school district allows us to play? This is a school and/or school district-based decision. Provided your school and/or school district permits you to do so, and conditions are appropriate, returning to your regular schedule of games is permitted.
3. What happens if my athletes do not meet the minimum contest requirements at the end of the season due to mandated cancellations? The Executive Director may waive the minimum contest requirement on a case-by-case basis. Each school Athletic Director should work through their sport administrator to gain approval.
4. If we have a game scheduled and the other team does not agree to play or make it up, is it counted as a forfeit? No, if a makeup date was agreed to in your game contract, both schools will be required to uphold the contract. However, if there is no contracted makeup date and no agreement on a necessary makeup date, the game will be stricken from the schedule and neither school will be awarded a win or a loss. We encourage all schools to work together to reach the best decision for student athletes.
5. What is the status of the FHSAA Spring Sports State Championships? The FHSAA currently plans on maintaining the schedule as is, but will continue to work closely with host venues, local school districts, public health officials and our Board of Directors to help guide our decision-making process throughout the coming months. Decisions will be made in the best interest of coaches, administrators, fans and most importantly, student athletes.
6. If we do have playoffs and championships, will playoff qualifications remain the same? The FHSAA plans on maintaining the current structure for seeding the district tournaments and qualification for the regional playoffs in each of the spring sports. The FHSAA will continue to monitor the situation throughout the spring season.
7. What do we do about district planning meetings? All class 2A-7A basketball and soccer meetings will be moved to the fall of 2020. Schools may begin to create their regular season schedules before these meetings take place. All volleyball and class 1A basketball previously scheduled meetings will remain as scheduled. We encourage the host schools to hold the meetings via teleconference.
Should you have any further questions, please email the Sport Administrator or Media contact below:
Baseball Robbie Lindeman rlindeman@fhsaa.org
Softball Kellie Doucette kdoucette@fhsaa.org
Lacrosse/Boys Volleyball Alex Ozuna aozuna@fhsaa.org
Tennis/Water Polo Corey Sobers csobers@fhsaa.org
Flag Football Jeremy Hernandez jhernandez@fhsaa.org
Weightlifting Frank Beasley fbeasley@fhsaa.org
Track & Field Ed Thompson ethompson@fhsaa.org
Media Ashton Moseley amoseley@fhsaa.org
Officials Jeremy Hernandez jhernandez@fhsaa.org
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Florida Health Department Update The most recent update from the Florida Department of Health states the following:
“If you have been to China, Iran, Italy or South Korea in the past 14 days, you need to self-isolate for 14 days. If you become sick during self-isolation, call your county health department. Protect yourself and your community from COVID-19. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick.”
