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 (October 26, 2020)
Current Status:
October 7 Option Competition Season
-
All school systems shall, as soon as possible, provide conditioning and training opportunities utilizing the current available options provided by the MPSSAA.
-
On October 7, 2020, all local school systems may choose to begin formal fall sport season practices in preparation for a competition season which will begin on October 27. All practices and preparation must be in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) required practice regulations, and all face covering and public health protocols established by the state and local health departments.
-
-
The state is expanding the seasonal competition timeframes as previously announced for all winter and spring sports within this plan.
-
The October 7 option provides for seven weeks of competition for fall sports—including cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer, and volleyball:
-
First available practice date: October 7, 2020
-
First available competition date: October 27, 2020 (Golf may resume competition on October 7, 2020.)
-
Last play date: December 12, 2020
-
Culminating event/tournament: December 14-19, 2020
-
With the October 7 option, winter sports can begin practice on December 14, and spring sports can begin practice on March 15.
December 7 Option For Competition Season
- All school systems shall, as soon as possible, provide conditioning and training opportunities utilizing the current available options provided by the MPSSAA.
- On December 7, 2020, all local school systems may choose to begin formal wintersport season practices in preparation for a competition season which will begin on January 4, 2021. All practices and preparation must be in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) required practice regulations, and all face covering and public health protocols established by the state and local health departments.
- The state is expanding the seasonal competition timeframes as previously announced for all winter and spring sports within this plan.
- With the December 7 option, Fall sports can begin practice on February 13, and spring sports can begin practice on April 17.
State's Recovery Efforts:
MPSSAA Guidance:
What Does This Mean:
All local school systems are authorized, by action of the State Superintendent of Schools, to continue conditioning and training sessions for student-athletes in anticipation for the start of the high school sport season. The state Board of Education on October 26, 2020, strong encouraged all local school systems to start conditioning opportunities immediately.
On October 7, 2020, the high school Golf season may begin competitions. The sports of cross country, football, soccer, volleyball, and field hockey may begin formal practices on October 7, 2020. All teams are required to have 20 calendar days elapsed between and including their first practice date and their first available competition.
Any local school system who opted not to participate beginning October 7, 2020, are strongly encouraged to begin conditioning and will have a first available practice date of December 7, 2020 for winter sports.
MPSSAA Status - What’s Next:
- Decisions on state championships or culminating events will continue to be assessed. The MPSSAA recognizes the highest risk, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is increased participation opportunities that include statewide competitions among different geographic areas. Each sport season and sports will be assessed based on current information the Maryland Department of Health and the level of local community spread.
Current Expectation Timeline
- Periodic updates may occur at any time regarding guidance and status updates from the Governor’s office, Maryland Health Department, Public School Superintendent Association of Maryland, and the State Superintendent of Schools.
MPSSAA Announcements:
October 16, 2020: Fall Sport Modifications
October 7: 2020: Interscholastic Athletic October 7 Plan for Fall Sports to Begin
October 7, 2020: Maryland State Superintendent Announces Fall Sports May Begin on October 7, 2020
September 11, 2020: MPSSAA Releases Further Guidance on High School Sports
August 3, 2020: MPSSAA Fall and Winter Competition Seasons Postponed
July 7, 2020: MPSSAA Releases Roadmap for Return of Interscholastic Athletics and Activities
June 23, 2020: State Board Of Education Approves Request For Waivers To Athletic Regulations
June 11, 2020: MPSSAA Update on Interscholastic Athletics - Re-engagement of Students
May 5, 2020: MPSSAA Awards All 16 Remaining Teams As State Basketball Tournament Semifinalists
April 28, 2020: MPSSAA Cancellation of Interscholastic Athletics for 2019-20 Academic Year
March 27, 2020: MPSSAA Update on Interscholastic Athletics
March 13, 2020: MPSSAA Update on Interscholastic Athletics
March 12, 2020: MPSSAA State Basketball Championships Postponed
March 11, 2020: Boys & Girls State Basketball Tournaments Contingency Plan Announced
March 6, 2020: Statement Regarding MPSSAA Winter Sport State Championships and COVID-19