If Ohio High Schools Are Canceled For Year, Sports Will Be Too

COLUMBUS, OH — If K-12 schools in Ohio are closed through the end of the education year, then spring and summer sports will also be canceled, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced this week.

OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass said his organization is planning for schools to reopen on May 4. In a letter to Ohio schools, he described that estimate as "optimistic" but said schools need to be prepared for re-opening.

The organization released its projected dates for baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse and track and field tournaments. Those schedules can be found on OHSAA's website. However, if any site chosen to host a postseason tournament is closed by the state, then no postseason tournament will be held.

"We continue to applaud each of you for helping provide guidance and leadership to your coaches and your efforts to keep students engaged. This crisis has heightened the awareness that students WANT to be back in the classroom. Teachers want students back in the classroom. In our solid belief that school-based athletic programs are an extension of the classroom, we hold that same belief for our student-athletes and coaches," Snodgrass said.

Gov. Mike DeWine extended school closures through at least May 1. With a stay-at-home order in place and a state of emergency declared, OHSAA said it has implemented a "no-contact" period through May 1. That means no team practices or group workouts may happen until May 2.

"No-contact does not mean ‘electronic’ communication is not permitted. In fact, we encourage coaches to maintain correspondence, provide workouts, etc. to individuals," said Snodgrass.