The start of the fall sports season has been delayed until at least Sept. 21, according to the Pioneer Athletic Department, due to COVID-19.
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) voted to delay the official start date of the Fall 2020 sports season, cancelled the Fall 2020 Regional and State Championship, and prepared a contingency plan for a condensed sport schedule to start in January if high school sports get sidelined this fall.
Read the NYSPHSAA press release
Fall seasons were originally scheduled to start August 24. However the NYSPHSAA officers met July 16 and have delayed the start until Sept. 21. They also waived the seven-day practice rule, voted to maintain current practice requirements, encouraged geographic scheduling for games and contests, and elected to have schools offer off-season conditioning workouts.
Moreover, the officers adopted a back-up plan to implement a condensed seasons plan for winter sports (Jan. 4-March 13), fall sports (March 1-May 8), and spring sports (April 5-June 12). All dates for the 10-week condensed seasons are tentative.
Under current state Health Department guidelines, interscholastic sports are prohibited. School districts, including Pioneer, are working on plans for reopening, which are to be issued to Albany by the end of the month.