PIERRE – The winter highschool sports activities season in South Dakota will begin on time.

Throughout a particular assembly of the SDHSAA Board of Administrators Tuesday, there was the popularity of some districts’ considerations over the latest speedy unfold of COVID-19 and whether or not sports activities ought to be paused, as has occurred in neighboring states.  Nevertheless, no movement was made to delay the beginning of competitors, which will likely be subsequent week for gymnastics and the week after that for basketball and wrestling.

The board did move a movement to “extremely advocate” that particular person college districts implement restrictions on attendance and require spectators to put on masks.  Consideration was given to mandate this, however it’s unclear whether or not the SDHSAA bylaws would give such authority.  Earlier, Govt Director Dr. Dan Swartos had stated that he can be open to the concept of issuing a mandate, then taking on the matter with any colleges that might problem it.

Athletes who attend tribal and on-reservation state colleges now produce other choices for possibilities to presumably compete this season or subsequent.  A movement was handed that permits these colleges that can’t take part in volleyball, winter sports activities and spring sports activities to work with the SDHSAA to ascertain alternate options.  One is the doable formation of separate winter and spring sports activities leagues, which might start shortly after a vaccine is out there.  One other is the prospect for college kids who’re barred from collaborating or selected to not take part because of COVID-19 to have a full season of highschool sports activities subsequent 12 months.  An choice has existed since early within the fall sports activities season for these athletes to switch to a different college and play instantly.