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Roadmap for Return of Interscholastic Athletics (COVID-19 Updates)

MPSSAA Roadmap for Return of Interscholastic Athletics Update Page

The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association Roadmap for the Return of Interscholastic Athletics is designed to provide guidance for local school systems (LSS) to resocialize students in athletics and activities in a safe and controlled environment. The MPSSAA is committed to continuously work with the State Superintendent of Schools, LSS, the medical community, and counterpart state associations to develop plans that will return these highly educational programs with a goal of maximizing student participation. This page will serve as a resource for the MPSSAA community to track the current efforts for the return of athletics and activities and next steps for the association.

Current Update (May 2021)

Current Status:

LSS shall compete within defined competition timeframes as well as determined systemwide out-of-season options to make respective LSS decisions regarding interscholastic athletic and extracurricular activities.
- Competition Seasons Option 1:
  - Spring Sports:
    - First Available Practice Date: March 15, 2021
    - First Available Competition Date: April 5, 2021
    - Last Play Date including Culminating Events: June 19, 2021
- Competition Seasons Option 2:
  - Spring Sports:
    - First Available Practice Date: April 17, 2021
    - First Available Competition Date: May 7, 2021
    - Last Play Date including Culminating Events: June 19, 2021
All participants, coaches, officials, athletic administrators, spectators, and any other individual present at any interscholastic athletic practice or competition must adhere to the local school system policies and procedures for face masks and capacity. Please refer to the latest guidance from the Maryland Health Department. (Updated May 14, 2021) "The Maryland Department of Health strongly recommends that all non-vaccinated individuals over the age of 2 years continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings outside of their home and in outdoor settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained."
LSS should utilize guidance found in the MDH COVID-19 Guidance for Maryland Schools (Updated May 17, 2021)
Individual team and sport mitigation strategies should be implemented to further reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. These mitigation strategies can be found in the MPSSAA Roadmap for the Return of Interscholastic Athletics and in the individual sport settings of this publication.

Individual Sport Bulletins and Mitigation Information

Shared Responsibility - Games and Events will be contested on the basis of shared responsibilities. Personnel from the visiting schools must accept their joint responsibilities with the persons in charge for supervision and maintenance of behavior on the part of students, spectators, and participants. This includes COVID-19 mitigation policies and procedures, good sportsmanship, exemplary behavior, and protection of property are of primary importance before, during and after each contest.

Point of Emphasis - The MPSSAA would like to make a point of emphasis for athletic administrators, coaches, student-athletes, parents, and spectators. All are reminded that you set the tone for your team and are the foremost influential figures representing your school. Your adherence and the adherence of your team and school to the mitigation requirements and recommendations will be a determining factor on the ability of these programs to continue operating within the modifications caused by COVID-19.

State's Recovery Efforts: