Per Governor Brown’s announcement regarding the extension of statewide school closures this week, the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has extended the suspension of interscholastic practices and contests for sports and activities for all member schools through April 28.
The OSAA Executive Board, during a conference call today, clarified the language regarding usage of high school facilities and communication between coaches and participants during the moratorium-like suspension period. This updated information may be found here.
The OSAA Executive Board had general discussion around each Spring activity and sport, varying timelines for decisions based on chronological order of the events, host venue availability and issues with following CDC, state and local protocols for gatherings, especially given event formats and that some events are indoor vs. outdoor.
After reviewing these considerations, the OSAA Executive Board made the calls to cancel both the Speech State Championships and Solo Music State Championships, scheduled for April 23-25 and May 2, respectively.
“As parents and former participants, the Executive Board and staff share in the disappointment of students, schools and communities regarding the cancellation of these state championships,” said OSAA Executive Director Peter Weber. “We all remain committed to the health and safety of students throughout Oregon during this evolving public health emergency.”
The OSAA Executive Board has committed to meeting on April 1, and again on April 15, to re-evaluate the suspension of Spring activities and sports, along with the remaining spring state championships.
This will allow the Board to review any updated guidelines and directives in collaboration with the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Department of Education, the OSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and member school administrators from throughout the state as this situation continues to evolve.
The OSAA Track and Field State Championships, originally scheduled to be held at the University of Oregon, will be split out and moved to different venues due to construction timelines for the completion of Hayward Field. New arrangements have the 6A, 5A, 4A events being held at Mt. Hood Community College and the 3A, 2A, 1A events at Western Oregon University, both on May 29-30.
Upcoming OSAA meetings, including the April 6 Delegate Assembly meeting, have been postponed until further notice.