SIJHSAA Postpones Winter Sports

With this situation that is going on between the IHSA and the Governor-IDPH-ISBE, the SIJHSAA Board of Control met to give some guidance to its member schools on where we are going with basketball and upcoming winter sports.

A motion was made to postpone all SIJHSAA sports until approved IDPH Return To Play Guidelines are agreed upon and made available to the association. That motion was approved with a vote of 19-0.

The SIJHSAA Board of Control stated this decision was made dealing with liability issues that could occur with the SIJHSAA Insurance carrier and liability issues that could arise for member schools, if participating in violation of IDPH guidelines.Thus, at this point girls and boys basketball practices set to start on November 16 and contests to start on Nov. 30 are presently postponed.  If any circumstances change, the SIJHSAA will notify schools of updated changes for basketball.

Schools may have contacts as follows: (This decision on contacts will be made by the member school administration)

-Basketball (Higher Risk) Contacts may occur for basketball with no-contact practices and trainings only. (Level 1-Governor’s All Sports Policy)

-Volleyball (Medium Risk) Contacts may occur for volleyball with intra-team scrimmages allowed, with parental consent for minors; no competitive play (Level 2-Governor’s All Sports Policy)

Face coverings must be worn in these activities.

The SIJHSAA Board of Control and administrators will monitor what is occuring concerning basketball and other winter sport activities. Things change daily dealing with the IHSA, Governor’s Office, IDPH, and ISBE. The BOC wants to provide sport opportunities for its member schools in a safe and legal manner. 

The SIJHSAA Board of Control will meet again on Thursday, November 19 at 2:00pm to review association concerns.