By Matt Smith
The Inter-Ac League reversed course from its public position last week, announcing Friday its intentions to stage a 2020 fall season.
In a statement, the league said it will hold “a modified, non-championship fall sports schedule” for football, boys and girls soccer, field hockey, boys and girls cross country, girls tennis, boys water polo, volleyball and boys golf.
“In recent months, health experts studying youth sports have observed that there has been little evidence of the transmission of the virus occurring because of on-field contact,” the statement read. “Rather, it occurs on the sidelines when safety protocols are not followed, in locker rooms, and at team social events. This new information has influenced the Inter-Ac schools’ analysis of the risk-benefit of a fall competitive season.
“Individual schools may choose in which sports they will participate without consequence from the league. Additional information about schedules, health and safety protocols will be forthcoming, including the possibility of extremely limited numbers of spectators at venues. Should current trends reverse and numbers of infections spike, this plan will be revisited.”