If fall sports is allowed to take place this fall in Tennessee it will certainly look different from any other year. During its meeting Wednesday, the TSSAA Board of Control took several steps towards having high school sports during the 2020-2021 school year, but with stringent guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among actions taken by the TSSAA Board of Control was the adoption of guidelines that affect not only fall sports in the state, but all sports through the 2020-2021 school year, even if Governor Bill Lee lifts his State of Emergency order. The guidelines include:
– Temperature checks required for all coaches, players, and team personnel every day before the start of practice. If temp is 100.4 or greater, must be sent home immediately. Must provide proof of a negative test, or certification that COVID-19 is not the cause of the fever before they are allowed to return.
– No coach, player, or team personnel may compete in a contest without a COVID-19 screening. Survey must be conducted before the first practice, and then weekly.
– No jamborees, scrimmages, 7 on 7, or contests of any kind against other opponent. Team vs team competition can only take place at official contests.
– At contests, all coaches, players, staff, and fans must have temperature checks before being admitted to the game site. If temp is 100.4, the individual would be denied access to the facility.
– Symptoms checklist will be posted prominently at the site of each contest.
– At contests in localities where fans are allowed, schools are encouraged to reduce attendance to a level that will allow for adequate social distancing.
– Fans attending sporting events would be required to wear masks.
– Temperature checks and symptom questionnaire would apply to bands and cheerleaders.
– Public announcements over the PA reminding fans of social distancing.
Host schools would be responsible for providing staff for frequent cleaning and sanitizing of restrooms.
– Concesssion stands are discouraged.
The guidelines go into effect immediately for all TSSAA sanctioned sports.
The status of two fall sports was a big question going into the meeting Wednesday. The TSSAA Board of Control approved a plan for girls soccer in the state that will see the season start September 7, with the playoffs November 11-14. Teams that did not make the playoffs, and did not reach their maximum number of games would be allowed to schedule additional contests.
As for a contingency for high school football in Tennessee, the Board of Control voted for a hybrid plan that would see an eight game regular season, four weeks of playoffs, with the winner and regional runner-up reaching the playoffs. The plan was adapted to allow flexibility in dates depending on the orders from Governor Bill Lee.
As for what happens if a team has a COVID-19 outbreak, the TSSAA Board of Control voted that the team that could play would receive a win, the team that could not play would not receive a loss. If the outbreak happens in the post season, that team would be eliminated from competition.
