sports

MSHSL DISCUSSES WINTER SPORTS CALENDAR – FINAL DECISION ON WHEN THEY CAN PLAY IS UP TO GOVERNOR

December 3, 2020

The Minnesota State High School League met on Thursday morning in a virtual format. The board discussed the winter and spring sports calendars. The MSHSL looked at models to start activities December 21, January 4, and January 18. It was reiterated many times that the MSHSL will use a calendar depending on when Governor Tim Walz and the State Health Department approves sports resuming.

WINTER ACTIVITIES AND GUIDANCE
Executive Director Erich Martens said the MSHSL will follow all Minnesota Department of Health/state guidance.
There have been reports to the Minnesota Department of Health and Department of Education of bullying of kids that have reported positive for COVID-19. The guidance information is at the bottom of this page.

WINTER SPORTS CALENDAR
The board wants activities to start as soon as the Governor/State approves them. The board approved the different options so they can be as flexible as possible, but several board members expressed concerns about starting before the start of the year because so many schools are in distance learning and hospitals are full.

Possible end dates –
Winter Sports would end the week of March 29. No tournaments or invitationals. Only duals except for sports like wrestling and dance can have triangulars.
Spring Sports would end the week of June 14. The proposed models depending on when the Governor allows sports to resume is below.

The three potential models (provided by John Millea of the MSHSL) are pictured in the gallery below –

DEBATE
Debate has been operating virtually and has plans to hold section competition in a virtual format. They would also like to have the state tournament held virtually.

NINE-MAN FOOTBALL CLASSIFICATION/DISTRICT FOOTBALL
The Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote a modification in the classification method for Class Nine-Man football. Enrollment in Grades 8-11 will be used to accurately classify Class Nine-Man teams
District assignments will take place following the completion of the competitive section assignment.

The board voted unanimously to take money from the Minnesota State High School League foundation fund.
$250,000 will be used to help the Regions and it will be split evenly.
$250,000 will be used to help lower the participating school’s MSHSL fees.