Both Nassau and Suffolk Counties have called off school sports for the fal season, according to a statement released recently by Section XI - the Suffolk County school sports governing body - and a report in Newsday.
The only sports programs that will continue to run will be Long Island's nine Catholic League schools, according to Newsday.
On Friday, Section XI said that all interscholastic athletics will be postponed until 2021 due to concerns over the risk of the spread of COVID-19. The start date for sports is now January 4, 2021 with three seasons of sports – fall, winter, spring – to run on alternative schedules.
Varsity and JV
- Season 1 (Winter), January 4- February 27
- Season 2 (Fall), March 1- May 1
- Season 3 (Spring), April 26- June 19
Modified sports
- Season 1 (Winter), January 4- February 6
- Season 2 (Late Winter), February 8- Mar 20
- Season 3 (Fall), March 22- May 8
- Season 4 (Spring), May 10- June 12
Section XI also cited a reduced number of spectators, a lack of locker room and facility use, increased costs in transportation and security for school districts and equity among all school districts as reasons for its decision.
“While this was a difficult decision, we feel it was the best move for the health and safety of everyone involved,” said Section XI Executive Director Tom Combs. “We still have a lot of hard work ahead in planning and executing on the three seasons across six months in 2021, but we look forward to the challenge and collaboration with our member schools and providing an impactful experience for our student-athletes and coaches.”