The dead period for high school sports in Kentucky has been extended through May 31, as announced Thursday by the KHSAA.
That means all school-owned property — including competition and practice facilities as well as weight rooms — will remain closed for sports-related use for another month.
High school sports have been on hold since March 12 when the girls’ basketball Sweet 16 tournament was suspended and later cancelled. On April 21, all spring sports were cancelled by the KHSAA.
Looking ahead to fall sports, helmet-only football practices are slated to begin July 10. The first practices in golf, volleyball, soccer, cross country, competitive cheer and dance are scheduled for July 15.
“We are hopeful that with all of the collaborative efforts of the citizens of our Commonwealth, we see this situation subside sooner rather than later, and we will continue to be leaders in that journey,” the KHSAA said in a release.
Though students may not receive in-person coaching or training from school personnel in any KHSAA-sanctioned sport, the restricted period allows for instruction, communication and guidance for maintaining physical fitness through video and other methods.
The KHSAA also provided guidance regarding non-school competition such as AAU and travel teams, saying parents and others involved should insist on adherence to state and federal guidelines as well as CDC recommendations.
“Students at KHSAA member schools as well as parents and others (including coaches) should be mindful that you do not avoid the perils of this virus by simply changing shirts and no longer wearing a school uniform,” the release reads.
The KHSAA offered a similar warning for private instruction.
“Private instruction by non-school coaching personnel is at the discretion of the individual when such is not held on school property,” the release said. “All involved should insist on these individuals adhering to all public state, federal, and CDC guidelines.”
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