The WIAA Board of Control voted 8 to 3 yesterday recommending schools conduct fall sports but delay start dates in the midst of the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Manitowoc Lincoln Athletic Director Dave Steavpack serves on the Board and voted yes. “The focus was providing kids an opportunity to get together and possibly play athletic events and competitions,” He explained, “The focus is not on the tournament. That is secondary.”
The recommendation includes starting so called “low risk” sports girls golf- swimming and tennis along with boys and girls cross country August 17th and “high risk” category sports including football volleyball and soccer start the week of September 7th. The fall Sports Season was scheduled to start August third.
“Our goal was to see how we could get kids engaged in activities,” Steavpack told SeehaferNews.com. “Number two, how it could work with all districts in mind, because superintendents throughout the state have indicated that the WIAA has to set the stage, and they need to be the lead on this.”
WIAA Executive Director Dave Anderson thanked the board and staff for the guidance which led to the decision. He admitted that some people may like the call, and others may not, but they feel like they made the right call.
An amendment to delay the start of Cross Country-Girls Swimming and Golf to August 24th was defeated 9 to 2 however the proposal also calls for allowing schools to play fall sports in the spring If the rate of infection increases. Winter and Spring Sports are not affected.
More details are expected to be released in the very near future.
