piaa won't cancel winter season

[Guest]

The PIAA is still on track to begin winter sports, despite calls from schools and principals to delay the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, the PIAA's board meeting began with a request from State College Area School District Superintendent Bob O'Donnell to delay the start of winter sports until Feb. 1.

PIAA executive director Robert Lombardi also acknowledged receiving a letter Wednesday from the Pennsylvania Principals Association asking the PIAA to delay the start of the season as many schools move to virtual learning or continue to implement state restrictions in order to keep buildings open.

However, no motion was made to delay the season during Wednesday's meeting.

That means the PIAA still plans to start the season on time this Friday. Many leagues have delayed the start of theirseasons by only a week. The YAIAA and Mid-Penn both plan to begin play Dec. 18. The Lancaster-Lebanon League voted to start on time, but with its league schedule pushed back to the start of January.

When asked about the calls to delay, Lombardi said the organization favored giving schools "flexibility" by starting the season on time and pushing back postseason deadlines. He called extending the season and giving schools more flexible schedules "a stroke of genius."

He said that he believes sports are essential activities when asked about starting competitions with COVID cases continuing to rise throughout Pennsylvania.