The executive board of the Oregon School Activities Association, or OSAA, was scheduled to meet next week to revisit the matters of further suspending spring sports and canceling state championships. But, as it turns out, the meeting will not be necessary.
Following the governor’s announcement that Oregon schools will be closed to in-person learning for the remainder of the academic year, the OSAA has cancelled all remaining spring activities, effective immediately.
Sadly, “distance competing” is not an option for student-athletes.
Executive Director Peter Weber called the decision “heart wrenching” for all members of the OSAA family.
He said, quote, “We empathize with students and school communities, especially our graduating seniors, but recognize that these cancellations will allow our collective focus to remain where it’s most needed at this time — on the health and safety of all Oregonians.”
The OSAA had held out hope that an abbreviated spring season might be possible, to “help bring a sense of normalcy to these uncertain times.”
“Now more than ever we need to apply the lessons learned through participation in education-based activities — teamwork, sacrifice, resilience — and play our role in adhering to the public health guidelines,” he said. “We all look forward to the day when we play again.”
Current OSAA policies prohibiting the use of school facilities and coaches from organizing or directing workouts and practices remain in effect until further notice.
The OSAA Executive Board will meet in the coming weeks to discuss policies for summer activities, along with academic eligibility concerns for fall 2020 that have been expressed by member schools and families.
