Matthew Monk
Since the strike of COVID-19 last March, high school and junior high coaches across the state of Texas have been waiting with bated breath to see what the coming school year would look like.
The spring of 2020 saw an unprecedented number of school closings and with it the cancellation of most spring sports. While coaches understood the concern back in the spring, they have been sitting in limbo ever since to see when and if they would have a season this year.
On Tuesday, July 21, the University Interscholastic League, the governing body over school-related competition, issued the official calendar for the 2020-2021 school year.
Classifications 1A-4A Start on Time
Photo: @pamelasphotopoetry via Twenty20
According the the UIL Calendar, schools in classifications of 1A-4A will be allowed to start their seasons and practices on pace with earlier years. While some think this regular start may be a bit premature, most coaches and athletes across the state are ready to get started.
Schools in these classifications are typically smaller in size and outside of more densely populated areas where the virus is spiking. Coaches at these schools often coach multiple sports, and sometimes these sports overlap. In keeping the same schedule, coaches and athletes are able to get in as many games in each sport as safely as possible per the UIL. “Acknowledging the situation is not always clear-cut and that COVID-19 affects every community differently, the plan also allows for local flexibility and encourages districts to plan for possible interruptions in order to complete district seasons,” UIL spokespeople said in a press release.
Classifications 5A-6A Will Have Delayed Start
Photo: @pamelasphotopoetry via Twenty20
While schools with smaller classifications will start on time, Class 5A and 6A schools will have a delayed start. For example, the normally scheduled football season set to start on August 3 has now been pushed back to September 7. This will also push the state championships back into January.
“This plan provides a delay for schools in highly-populated metro areas… while providing schools in other areas, primarily 1A-4A, an opportunity to start seasons on schedule,” stated the UIL press release. While there is no perfect solution, schools and public officials are looking for a way to move forward in the wake of COVID-19. Let us know your thoughts!
