NCHSAA says start of school sports delayed

In the wake of Governor Roy Cooper’s Aug. 5 announcement that North Carolina would remain in its “Safer-at-Home” Phase Two of re-opening, North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Commissioner Que Tucker, issued the following Aug. 6 statement indicating that any timetable for starting high school sports remains uncertain.

“At his press conference on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper and his health team extended Phase Two of the state’s reopening plan until at least September 11. Unfortunately, this announcement means that the start of the 2020-2021 school year will be delayed beyond September 1 for NCHSAA member schools.

The NCHSAA Staff and Board of Directors will review all available options, seek input from SMAC, DPI, a sports Ad Hoc Committee, and announce a calendar for playing sports during the upcoming school year. It is hoped that we can make this announcement prior to August 17, 2020.

We want to play sports during the upcoming school year and are making plans to do so; however, the health and safety of all participants, including coaches and other essential staff, will be a priority as decisions and plans are made.”