What you need to know about fall high school sports in Kansas: FAQ for parents, players
It’s the biggest news in Kansas high school sports since the state basketball tournaments were canceled on March 12.
Sports will go on as planned this fall.
The decision comes after the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) executive board met via Zoom Tuesday to decide the fate of fall sports, including football. The board members’ decision to allow sports to play on as planned was reached by a narrow margin — five board members favored letting schools play, while four did not.
That narrow decision mirrors a lack of clear consensus across America. As of early afternoon Tuesday, of the 51 governing activities associations in the U.S., 24 had opted to alter their fall sports calendars in some fashion, according to the National Federation of High School Activities Associations. Twenty-seven, then, were moving forward with fall sports as planned.
Here are some questions we’re hearing about Kansas’ decision, and answers.
First, the facts ...
On Tuesday, KSHSAA executive board members considered a proposal to push back the start dates for football, volleyball, boys soccer and gymnastics. Under that proposal, those sports would’ve began Sept. 8 — up to 11 days later than previously scheduled, for some activities.
Week 1 of the football season would’ve been canceled, and the regular season — along with the regular seasons for volleyball and boys soccer — would’ve been shortened. Also, preseason jamborees would’ve been eliminated this year. Girls golf, girls tennis and cross country would have started as scheduled.
Who made this proposal?
KSHSAA created the proposal, and executive director Bill Faflick presented it to KSHSAA’s executive board, which is comprised of nine school administrators from around the state.
What was the vote tally?
The proposal failed 5-4.
So when will practices begin?
Practices for all fall sports may begin Aug. 17.
And when will actuall games, or competitions, begin?
If the proposal to delay those start dates had passed, what would’ve happened next?
The proposal would have then gone before the KSHSAA board of directors, a voting body of some 70 administrators from school districts across Kansas, and representatives from the Kansas state government, for another vote.
Can I still watch the deliberations from Tuesday’s meeting?
Yes. The KSHSAA executive board’s meeting from Tuesday can been viewed here.
The FAQs ...
If a student-athlete contracts and tests positive for COVID-19 in the weeks leading up to the regular season, during the regular season or in the postseason, what are the protocols for KSHSAA member schools and student-athletes at other schools who may have come in contact with that person?
Those showing COVID-19 signs or symptoms will not be allowed to compete and will be sent home immediately, with instructions to contact their healthcare provider, according to KSHSAA’s considerations.
If there is a positive test, the individual must be isolated until he/she reaches the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (or local health department) criteria for clearance, along with written clearance from a medical provider.
For anyone who has had possible exposure (less than 6 feet of physical distance for 10 minutes or longer) to a known case of COVID-19, he/she should immediately self-quarantine and contact his/her healthcare provider.
“Those not identified as a close contact may continue to participate,” according to KSHSAA guidelines. “Contacts of a close contact do not need to be excluded from activities unless they are also considered a close contact.”
If my community goes to an all-virtual learning model for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, are student-athletes still allowed to participate in sports?
Students who are enrolled in at least “five new subjects of unit weight” will be eligible to compete for the school in which he/she is enrolled, according to KSHSAA’s Remote Learning & Direct Instruction Policy.
If my community pushes the start of school back beyond KSHSAA’s start date for competition, are those student-athletes still allowed to participate?
Yes. There is no KSHSAA regulation stating school instruction must precede fall sports practices or competitions.
“As long as school is in session, or is preparing to be in session, practice may begin as deemed appropriate by local school leadership,” Faflick said in an email.
Besides hand-washing, what guidelines does KSHSAA have for each sport’s return to competition?
KSHSAA’s guidelines for all sports can be found here.
Specific considerations for each activity can be found here.
If my community isn’t comfortable with KSHSAA’s decision to resume sports right now, is it possible for my local USD to postpone or cancel fall sports?
Yes. If an individual community feels it is unsafe to hold high school activities, that district can choose to suspend or cancel events or seasons. Tuesday’s KSHSAA ruling allows schools the option to compete if they choose.
How will attendance be handled at sports and activities events?
KSHSAA will not regulate attendance at regular-season competitions. Individual communities can enact attendance limits as they see fit.
Does KSHSAA’s decision mean the entire regular season and postseason are guaranteed to be played?
No. During Tuesday’s meeting, Faflick, KSHSAA’s executive director, said it would be “premature” to guarantee championship events will take place this fall.
If the fall season is canceled because of a severe COVID-19 spike in Kansas just weeks after the season has begun, is it possible to reschedule to spring?
Yes. A move to the spring — even after the fall season has started — is possible.
“There are multiple considerations based upon how far this season has progressed, impact on other activities, and most importantly, the status of Kansas health moving into 2021,” Faflick said in an email. “Our staff has considered and discussed that possible reality of a suspension and prepared accordingly. I am confident we will be ready to offer solutions to our governing boards if it becomes necessary.”
If I am not comfortable with with my student-athlete going to school because of the COVID-19 risk, is it possible for him/her to continue competing in activities?
According to the KSHSAA Remote Learning & Direct Instruction Policy, each school district makes decisions to allow virtual learning to count as school credit and thereby grant eligibility and participation in activities.
“Most families, if concerned with a health risk at school would congruently be concerned about a health risk of participation in activities,” Faflick said in an email. “However, some families may be more comfortable with a 12 member golf team than a 1500 student population in regards to exposure opportunity.”
With some competitions almost certain to be canceled because of COVID-19 contamination, how will postseason seeding be handled?
KSHSAA will continue to look at alternative postseason-seeding models under the assumption that not all teams will be able complete a full regular-season schedule this year.
Will preseason football jamborees still be played?
KSHSAA did not eliminate preseason football jamborees, but Faflick strongly discourages them. One adjustment was made: Jamborees can include just two teams, rather than last year’s three or four.
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 1:58 PM.