Local schools can start fall sports Aug. 3
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5A, 6A moved to September
The University Interscholastic League—
AUSTIN— Football season for smaller 1A to 4A schools will remain as previously scheduled, according to The University Interscholastic League.
Benjamin, Knox City and Munday can issue equipment Aug. 3, start full contact Aug. 8, schedule scrimmages Aug. 13 and begin their seasons Aug. 27. State championships for those classes are still scheduled for Dec. 16-19.
The smaller schools also can issue equipment for volleyball, cross county and team tennis, if applicable, on Aug. 3. Volleyball scrimmages can start Aug. 7 and matches Aug. 10. The UIL did say that tournaments would need to be canceled. The state 1A-4A tournament will be held Nov. 18-21.
The UIL said marching band practice can start Sept. 7. The 1A regional contest will be Dec. 10.
However, 5A and 6A schools will have football schedules pushed back nearly a month with practices starting Sept. 7, and the earliest season-opening game Sept. 24,instead of the originally scheduled Aug. 27 start. Keeping with the modified schedule, the UIL also pushed back the state championship games, normally held before Christmas, to a date to be determined in January.
Volleyball, cross country and team tennis in 5A and 6A, which also were slated to begin practice in August, have been pushed back to Sept. 7 starts and Sept. 14 games and meets. The Class 5A and 6A state volleyball tournament will be held Dec. 11-12.
Tennis and cross country state championships will still be held as scheduled Dec. 5 for all conferences.
The basketball schedule also was altered as no tournaments will be allowed to be scheduled and single-site regional tournaments have also been prohibited.
“Our goal in releasing this plan is to provide a path forward for Texas students and schools,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “While understanding situations change and there will likely be interruptions that will require flexibility and patience, we are hopeful this plan allows students to participate in the education-based activities they love in a way that prioritizes safety and mitigates risk of COVID-19 spread.
“This plan provides a delay for schools in highly populated metro areas, primarily conferences 5A-6A, given the challenges with COVID-19 those communities are facing, while providing schools in other areas, primarily 1A-4A, an opportunity to start seasons on schedule.”
As it stands, the UIL plan allows for fan attendance at a maximum 50 percent capacity and includes that every spectator over the age of 10 wear a face covering.
Keeping options for change open, the UIL said it will “continue to work with state officials and monitor CDC and other federal guidance to determine any potential modifications that may become necessary.”
