Winter sports in Illinois are effectively on hold until 2021.
“Given Governor Pritzker’s current mitigations, the board has no expectation of starting low risk winter sports prior to January. The board and IHSA staff will continue to monitor the Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigation in effect currently,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement.
Anderson said a timeline to return should emerge soon.
The board is scheduled to meet again on Dec. 14 where it will discuss any further changes to the prep sports schedule.
“When there is a timeline for the state to emerge from these restrictions, the board is prepared to restart lower risk winter sports quickly,” he said. “In addition, the board hopes to reestablish contact days in January for any winter sports that cannot begin, as well as spring and summer sports. The introduction of the contact days will be based on mitigations from the governor and the Illinois Department of Public Health at that time. Further guidance on contact days limits will be established at a future board meeting.”
The Illinois High School Association made the announcement on Dec. 2.
The IHSA and Gov. J.B. Pritzker locked horns earlier this year.
Through executive order, Pritzker effectively cancelled the high school football season without giving voice to the IHSA or athletes, coaches and parents across the state.
The move resulted in parents holding rallies in Springfield and Chicago demanding sports be reinstated.
“To reiterate, the Board has no expectation to begin any winter sports seasons until 2021, but will remain agile in their preparation and willingness to adapt should a window present itself sooner,” Anderson said.
