Good morning xxxxxxx,
Thank you for the email and sharing your thoughts on school athletics.
The VHSL appreciates your enthusiasm for getting our student-athletes back on the field and courts. We all understand the physical and mental health benefits of getting our students back to a level of participation. We also agree that traditionally, student-athletes have higher grade-point average, are very successful in life and become good leaders.
In the Phase Guidance for Virginia Schoolsthat was released by the State Health Commissioner and Superintendent of Public Instruction on July 6, 2020, school athletics is addressed.
“For school athletics, indoor and outdoor recreational sports may occur if ten feet of physical distancing can be maintained by all instructors, participants, and spectators with the exception of incidental contact or contact between members of the same household. This applies during instruction, practice, and during competitive events. Competition that involves close contact with other athletes must be avoided.”
Given those guidelines, it will be difficult to get students back on the field or courts as long as Virginia stays in Phase III or remain under current guidelines.
In addition, school divisions are struggling with academic plans to get students back in school. Many divisions will begin the year with online learning, some type of hybrid model, or a staggered schedule where students will only be in school two or three days per week. It will be very difficult for schools to have teams that practice every day when students are not in school. There are many issues schools are having to deal with and try to figure out right now in order to educate our students.
The VHSL has a very strong Executive Committee. They will evaluate all of the information available and make a decision that is in the best interest of our student athletes.
Take care and be safe.
John W. “Billy” Haun, Ed.D.
Virginia High School League
Executive Director
bhaun@vhsl.org
434-977-8475