MSHSL

MSHSL Approves Plans for Return to Winter Activities

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — The Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors today approved a flexible plan for the restart of winter activities when clearance is provided by state governmental leaders. Executive Order 20-99 is currently in place, a directive that mandates a four-week pause in activities designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is scheduled to expire on Dec. 18.

In preparation for the lifting of any order, the League’s Return to Participation Task Force presented a comprehensive plan that included three models that may be modified to fit the timing of the expiration of Executive Order 20-99.

“With the dynamic nature of COVID-19, flexibility is going to be critical for our programs,” said Erich Martens, Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League. “We need to remain flexible in the start of seasons and in carrying them to conclusion.”

Should League athletics be able to restart practice on Dec. 21, competitions could take place beginning on or after Jan. 4.

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MSHSL issues guidance following Executive Order 20-99

In accordance with Executive Order 20-99 issued tonight by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota State High School League is providing guidance and information to the League’s more than 500 member schools. The Executive Order is in effect from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 through Friday, Dec. 18.

In preparation for the implementation of the restrictions included in the order, section football play must be completed by the end of Friday. The volleyball regular season will also end on Friday. In working with stakeholders including member schools, LEAD Liaisons, the Return to Participation Task Force and Region Secretaries, additional flexibility is provided in the guidance for football and volleyball to complete their competitions.

Dance, in its second week of the season, will also stop in-person practice and competitions, effective late Friday. Other winter sports will have the start of their seasons delayed by this order.

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MSHSL Releases Wrestling Guidance and Information

The Minnesota State High School League released guidance and information for the 2020-2021 wrestling season. Information covered in the released document includes practice protocols, equipment usage (mats, water bottles, workout clothing), locker room use, masks/face coverings, official’s uniform and equipment, site set-up, pre-competition protocols, competition protocols, and post-match protocols.

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In the Eye of the COVID Storm

When the COVID19 pandemic hit the United States in full force – nearly everything was affected. When ‘everything’ included high school sports, State High School League media specialist John Millea became the public’s on-line window into the High School League’s every significant decision. The outbreak had the MSHL and Millea caught in the middle of a COVID storm.

March 11th was a day no one in athletics will forget.

“I will remember that forever,” Millea said. “The girls’ basketball tournament was going on, and on day one of the tournament, we started hearing rumblings that an NBA player had tested positive. I don’t remember thinking much of it – it is a Utah Jazz player- how is that going to affect us? That night, I got home, and I started seeing the NBA got shut down, and we started to see all these leagues get shut down. On day two of the girls’ tournament, I didn’t watch any basketball. I was in our tournament headquarters room at Williams Arena. We were on conference calls with the office, we were watching the news, and by the end of day two, the decision was made that we were going to keep the season going, but each team will get 100 fans because we didn’t know what COVID was. By Friday morning, the plug had been pulled. The girls’ tournament had been canceled. The boys’ basketball section tournament games that had not been played were not going to be played. That was like an earthquake. We had never seen anything like this. Not long after that, the spring season was canceled.”

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Minnesota Department of Education issues updated guidance on spectators for indoor events

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — Using information released today by the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota State High School League updated member schools with information for spectators of indoor activities to align with the MDE guidance. Under the MDE revised guidance, two fans per participant will be allowed to attend indoor events. Prior to the updated guidance, no spectators were allowed.

The updated guidance is effective immediately, but member schools will determine implementation plans for their events. Member schools do have the option of implementing stricter guidelines.

MDE continues to stress that sporting events are high risk for COVID-19 transmission and are further high risk for activities that promote airborne particles of COVID-19.

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MSHSL Approves Winter Sports Plans

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — The remainder of the Minnesota State High School League’s activities calendar came into view today during the Board of Directors Meeting that was held in a virtual format.

After a presentation by the League’s Return to Participation Task Force, the Board of Directors approved a maximized winter activities season that trims 30 percent of the contest dates. By keeping the length of seasons generally intact, member schools will have the flexibility for rescheduling if contests are postponed because of COVID-19 related outbreaks or other interruptions. As part of the approval, members schools will have the opportunity to use the final two weeks of the season to make up contests if the postponements were weather or COVID related. Scrimmages and preseason jamborees are not allowed under the approved decision.

Waconia High School Activities Director Jill Johnson, a former board member and chair of the task force, said the approved plan also reduces the overlap in seasons, which benefits the start of spring seasons, thus, providing a full experience in these sports while minimizing exposure risks.

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MSHSL Board of Directors approve returning volleyball, football to fall season

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. — The Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors today approved a reconsideration placement of fall activities, a decision that brings football and volleyball back to the fall season.

The plan, which fits within COVID-19 guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health, will have an approved football season beginning on Sept. 28 with the first of six regular season games scheduled for the week of Oct. 5. Since Sept. 14, member schools have had the option of participating in fall training sessions. In the framework that was adopted by the Board of Directors, a planned two-week football postseason will begin the week of Nov. 16.

Volleyball will begin an 11-week season on Sept. 28 and member schools may play their first matches on Oct. 8. In the framework that was approved by the board, two weeks of postseason play would begin the week of Nov. 30. Like football, member schools have had the option of participating in voluntary training sessions since Sept. 14.

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MSHSL Board of Directors address Fall Activities

The Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors, at its meeting on Aug. 4, approved moving forward as scheduled with four Fall activities. Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer and Girls Swimming and Diving beginning on Aug. 17 with limitations. The Board of Directors also approved moving Football and Volleyball to a modified spring season. 

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