Spring Tournaments Canceled, But Season May Go On If Schools Open

CONNECTICUT — State championship tournaments have been ruled out for the spring 2020 high school season, but the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) said student-athletes may be able to return to playing surfaces for the month of June should schools re-open.

A statement Thursday from the CIAC reads, "All potential spring sport opportunities are contingent upon the governor’s office and the state department of education declaring that it is safe to return to school campuses and for athletic competition to resume. If it is determined that

school buildings will remain closed, and distance learning will continue through the end of the
2019-2020 school year, then the CIAC will cancel all spring sport experiences."

In declaring state tournaments would not be played even if schools were to return to session and partial seasons completed, CIAC officials felt "any spring sports experience should maximize opportunities for student-athletes within individual schools and leagues," according to the statement.

On March 10, the CIAC canceled winter tournaments, some of which were already under way, due to concerns over the new coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order five days later, closing all Connecticut schools until March 31. That order has been extended twice, with the current order keeping buildings closed until at least May 20.