MIAA votes to create floating season starting in Feb. for ‘higher risk’ sports

BOSTON — High school athletes are getting more information as to what their season may look like. There are still a lot of unknowns, but the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) outlined what it hopes will mean playing time for everyone.

Football in the fall won't happen this year, but there's hope for later in the school year.

“It’s an ongoing situation but certainly this gives us some sort of semblance to what to expect down the line. It’s something to go off of,” explained Coach Ron Dowd, Athletic Director, Walpole High School.

According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, cities in the state’s high-risk or red category may not play school sports. Wednesday, the MIAA Board of Directors approved a revised high school sports season schedule for the upcoming year to accommodate possible playing time later in the year.

MIAA 2020-2021 H.S. Sports Seasons:

• September 18 to November 20: Fall Sports
• November 30 to February 21: Winter Sports
• February 22 until April 25: Fall Sports II aka "floating season"
• April 26 and end July 3: Spring Sports

“Certainly there’s sports that I think we can do right away that we’re going to need to modify to some degree, but this gives us some flexibility to move sports to later on,” said Coach Dowd.

The fall season means high-risk sports like football and cheer will get to compete.

"A big piece of this with some parts of the state being in the red, they're not going to be able to play or participate in September or October. This kind of allows schools the opportunity to participate," said Coach Dowd.

The MIAA also approved:

• No Fall or Fall II post-season tournaments
• Travel will be limited for the fall season
• Out of season coaching will be allowed, as approved by each school’s principal
• Student-athletes will be allowed to take part in all four sports seasons

"At the end of the day, we're here to serve kids and do the best we can and make it as equitable as we can for everybody," said Coach Dowd.

The earliest practices can begin is September 18.

MIAA voting on high school sports guidelines for 2020 school year MIAA voting on high school sports guidelines for 2020 school year

Millis athletic director reacts to new MIAA sports guidelines Millis athletic director reacts to new MIAA sports guidelines

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