IESA Makes No Decision On Fall Sports

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Published on July 17 2020 6:16 am
Last Updated on July 17 2020 6:17 am

On Wednesday, July 15, the Illinois Elementery School Association Board of Directors met via a Zoom conference call to discuss the possibility/practicality of holding IESA activities in the 2020-21 school year and specifically the fall activities of golf, softball, baseball, cross-country, and girls basketball. Also included on the call was the Executive Director of the IHSA, Mr. Craig Anderson.

As included in the email from the IESA Executive Director to the IESA membership that was sent on Tuesday, July 14, the IESA has sent several emails to the Governor's Office and Illinois Department of Public Health seeking guidance regarding interscholastic activity participation and health and safety requirements.

"The answers that we receive from these agencies will have a significant impact on the type of activity and/or format of the activity that we are able to offer during this school year," said Anderson. "To date, we have not received answers to our inquiries.

"Our goal is to return to play but as an education-based organization, we must always take into account the health, safety, and well-being of students. Because of the ever-changing landscape, the IESA Board simply felt that until we receive answers, it would not be prudent at this time to make a decision to cancel fall activities knowing that a decision like that is devastating to the very students and schools IESA serves."

An update on the status of fall activities will be sent to the membership no later than July 24.