MSHSAA looks into increasing participation opportunities for athletes, raises possibility of fall schedule changes

Local Sports

While noting the “changing face of the school year”, the Missouri State High School Activities Association is looking into options for student-athletes in districts with virtual learning or recommendations of no sports or activities to be able to get on the field this fall.

MSHSAA Communications Director Jason West sent out a press release on Monday afternoon indicating that staff will be discussing with the Board of Directors the potential of changes to the start of fall activities to accommodate those students.  Ideas to be considered, in addition to the postponement of fall sports, would be the ability for school districts to hold sports activities if they are not holding in-person classes, or potential “regional” competition outside of the traditional seasonal window, once a school district returns to in-person learning.

MSHSAA Executive Director Kerwin Urhahn commented, “With the changing face of the start of the school year for our member schools, the board and staff want to discuss possibilities that would allow as many students to participate as safely as possible.  We wish to work with schools to provide as many opportunities as possible.  For the schools currently planning to start the year as normal, our current hope is the fall season will proceed to its fruition.”