At its work sessions, the OSAA Executive Board discussed the following topics and made decisions in accordance with current guidance and directives from the Governor’s Office, OHA and ODE. 

"Per Governor Brown’s press conference, new guidance regarding face coverings, health metrics and school reopenings is coming soon," the organization said. "That guidance will impact ongoing OSAA decisions for school sports and activities during this fluid situation."

The information below is from the OSAA's press release:

Fall Sports First Contest Date

With the uncertainty of school reopening plans in many parts of the state and the timeframe related to those decisions, the OSAA Executive Board has decided to delay the first contest date for Cross Country, Volleyball and Soccer until Wednesday, September 23 (previously August 27). The original first Fall practice date of August 17 remains in place at this time. New guidance from the state requiring face coverings even when exercising indoors will require further consideration regarding guidance for indoor activities.

These dates allow for local school control regarding Fall practice schedules while enabling them to focus on their primary objective of reopening to students.  Decisions schools are making regarding their instructional models – on-site, hybrid or distance learning – are still being discussed locally. The dates referenced above, and an individual school’s ability to participate, may be impacted by their instructional model, along with any new health metrics set forth by the Governor’s Office and OHA. Additional guidance for Fall contest protocols, including multi-team events, spectator policies, and regional scheduling considerations, will be forthcoming. The OSAA Executive Board understands that if Fall end dates are not extended then contest limitations, playoff structures, and championship events will need to be altered.  

Football is considered a full contact activity per the Governor’s and OHA guidelines and is currently prohibited. No definitive date has been established by the state for a review of this prohibition. Based on strategies provided by the OSAA Football Contingency Group it is necessary that any Football restrictions be lifted by September 28 in order to have a modified regular season this Fall that would include some type of restructured postseason. 

If Fall activities aren’t able to be held in the Fall, the OSAA Executive Board is committed to working with its contingency groups to exhaust all options for these activities including shifting, condensing, or stacking seasons, like our neighbors in Washington and California, with the fundamental objective of providing participation opportunities for students. These changes may ultimately force schools into choosing which programs they will offer and students into choosing between activities, but the Board believes that a potentially difficult choice is better than no choice.

Cheerleading / Dance & Drill / Music / Speech & Debate

Cheerleading and Dance/Drill are considered full contact activities per the Governor’s and OHA guidelines and are currently prohibited. No definitive date has been established by the state for a review of this prohibition. The OSAA Staff is seeking clarification from the state as to how possible modifications to these activities could allow them to take place. The OSAA Staff and activities contingency groups are also working to develop best practices for rehearsals and considerations for competitive seasons that would include modifications to choreography, stunting/lifting, etc. Music and Speech & Debate Contingency Groups will begin meeting in late July/early August focusing on competition elements and considerations for the coming year. Band, Orchestra and Choir resources, including guidance from the NFHS for ways to return to in-person instruction safely, can be found on the OSAA COVID-19 page.