FROM: CIFSDS Commissioner, Jerry Schniepp, Incoming Commissioner, Joe Heinz,
DATE: April 27, 2020
Attn: San Diego Athletic Administrators,
As we slowly move through this different era in high school sports, we want to continue to provide you updates and share the discussions taking place at the local and state level regarding the fall sports season. As to be expected, there are many rumors floating around but we can assure you at this point that nothing has been decided nor is there a leading scenario that we are moving towards. Just as with every aspect of life and work, we all have to be flexible, be patient and give this some time.
· As with all decisions, the health and safety of student-athletes as well as coaches and spectators will be at the forefront of all decisions. We will continue to be tied directly with our schools and work closely with superintendents and school leaders. Direction provided by the state government along with medical professionals, will dictate decisions. And as with the determination to cancel spring sports, the return to practice and play for high school sports will coincide with the re-opening of schools and the relaxing of restrictions on groups of people.
· We are currently working on calendars for different scenarios for fall sports. We will have myriad options to consider as we move through the summer months and communicate with our Board, Conference Presidents and Sports Advisories. We will have no parameters as we consider all options and possibilities including starting and conducting the season as scheduled, a late start date, shortened seasons, contests with no spectators, reduced or no CIFSDS playoffs, no state playoffs, moving the season of sport, etc. All plans will include having some form of a fall season and we will be moving forward with that plan and goal in mind.
· The CIFSDS is proposing a waiver of the mandatory 2-week summer no-contact period for 2020. This proposal will be voted on at the May 20, 2020 Board of Managers meeting.
We hope you taking care of yourself and your families. Given what has taken place, we think that there will be a celebration of high school sports once this has ended. We’ve all learned that we have taken many things for granted and high school athletics is one of them. An appreciation for hard work, learning and competition is coming soon! Hang in there