The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) announced this week that “low-risk” and “moderate-risk” fall sports practices may begin on September 21 for those schools and sections who have determined it feasible to host interscholastic athletics at this time, including Columbia High School and Section II. After reviewing all documents from the NYS Education Department and NYSPHSAA, the East Greenbush Central School District will be offering the following sports this fall:
Boys & Girls Cross Country – Varsity and Junior Varsity- Field Hockey – Varsity and Junior Varsity
- Boys & Girls Golf – Varsity and Junior Varsity
- Boys & Girls Soccer – Varsity and Junior Varsity
- Girls Tennis – Varsity and Junior Varsity
Regular season games can begin once student athletes have participated in the required number of practices as per NYSPHSAA bylaws.
Modified Sports
Students interested in participating in Modified for the sports listed above should start the sign-up process on Monday, September 14. The district will continue to explore whether or not Modified level sports can be offered for the Fall 2020 season. We will be surveying parent and student interest and determining whether or not other area schools are fielding teams at this level. These factors will help us to determine whether or not our district can provide a safe, viable, developmentally suitable program.
Football, Cheer and Volleyball Postponed Until March 21, 2021
Football, cheer and volleyball, which are classified as “high-risk” sports have been postponed until March 1, 2021 to address membership concerns associated with high-risk fall sports.
“We’ve spent two days speaking with nearly 500 athletic directors across the state and it’s clear that administering high-risk fall sports during the COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge for our member schools,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “These are unprecedented times and unfortunately, difficult decisions will have to be made to address this ongoing crisis. We continue to stay committed to providing support to our member schools and quality participation experiences for the students we serve.”
The revised season for football, volleyball and fall competitive cheer will be known as “Fall Sports Season II” and may officially begin practices on March 1, 2021.
As a result of fall high-risk sports being moved, the start date for the spring sports season has been adjusted to April 19, 2021. The first official practice for spring sports will now be April 19, 2021 (the original start date was March 15).
“The NYSPHSAA officers have determined it would be unrealistic to host football, volleyball and competitive cheer seasons this fall,” said Julie Bergman, NYSPHSAA President. “This continues to be the most challenging situation educators have ever addressed. I, along with my fellow officers, believe the participation experiences for football, volleyball and competitive cheer athletes will be more beneficial in the spring than in the fall.”
Fall Sport Sign-Up Information
To maintain safety and practice physical distancing, Columbia will not have in-person Fall sign-ups. Registration and Health History reviews for the Fall 2020 season will begin September 14 at both Columbia High School and Goff Middle School by Health Office staff.
If a student athlete had a physical in either the 2018-2019 or the 2019-2020 school years they do not need to submit a new physical exam form to participate in a Fall 2020 sport. However, an updated physical would be required to participate in either a Winter or Spring sport.
If you are entering grades 9-12, parents/guardians should submit the following forms (by mail or drop off) to Columbia High School, 962 Luther Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061, Attn.: Health Office.:
Any 7th or 8th grader requesting to tryout for an upper level sport, must go through the Athletic Placement Program (APP) to play high school sports. Please send an email to Sean Leggett (LeggettSe@egcsd.org) or call him at 518-207-2084, to be added to the APP testing list.
If you have any questions, please contact the Columbia Athletic Department at 518-207-2085.
Resources
- Return to Interscholastic Athletics (NYSPHSAA)
- Reopening New York: Sports and Recreation Guidelines
- School Health Examinations in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic (NYS Education Department)
- Health Requirements for Athletics (EGCSD)
- Parent Information (EGCSD)