Letter To Pritzker 'Greatly Misconstrued' On Social Media: IHSA
BLOOMINGTON, IL — While acknowledging a letter was sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Deputy Gov. Jesse Ruiz last week, Illinois High School Association Executive Director Craig Anderson is now seeking to clarify the letter's contents.
On Sept. 10, Anderson said, he sent a letter seeking permission for the IHSA and its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to resume control over determining the resumption of sports and activities.
"However, the content of that letter has been greatly misconstrued on social media in a short amount of time," Anderson said Friday in a news release. "There have been no discussions, let alone proposed timelines, for resuming any sports at this time."
In July, Pritzker announced new COVID-19 related restrictions on youth sports in the state — including at the high school level — that were broken into risk levels depending on the competition. The news came as the IHSA was meeting to discuss the future of the fall sports season.
Soon after, the IHSA decided to move football, boys soccer and girls volleyball — classified as medium- to high-risk sports under Pritzker's guidelines — from the fall to spring 2021. Boys and girls golf, girls tennis, boys and girls cross-country and girls swimming and diving — considered lower risk — have remained fall sports, and they began as originally scheduled with some tweaks in August.
"Should our office receive a positive response from government officials, it could result in the IHSA re-examining its previously released season schedules, as well as postseason schedules, for the 2020-21 school year," Anderson said.
IHSA Adds Hate Speech, Harassment Policy To Protect Students
Two rallies, organized by Let Us Play High School Sports Illinois, are scheduled for Saturday. The group — composed of concerned parents, athletes, coaches and community members, according to its Facebook page — is asking the governor to immediately allow resumption of high school sports that have been canceled for the fall.
The rallies, which are scheduled to run consecutively, are set for 10-11 a.m. at the James Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, and 1-2 p.m. at the State Capitol Building, Capitol Avenue and Second Street, Springfield. Organizers are asking those planning to attend to wear a mask, support the efforts by sporting school colors and bring signage to support the cause.
Anderson said the IHSA is not involved in the planned protests and encourages attendees to "be safe, smart and respectful."
Anderson made a point to praise Pritzker in the news release, stating that Illinois has attained one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates in the country.
"Additionally, several surrounding states have successfully conducted sports categorized as medium and high risk here in Illinois, and we believe sports and activities are safest when conducted under the IHSA safety protocols by school personnel," Anderson said. "Those combined factors led us to issue this letter, and we will respectfully await response to it."
Related:
Postseason Plan For Fall Sports Finalized: IHSA
IDPH Approves IHSA Modified Sports Plan
IHSA Releases Sport-Specific Guidelines For Fall Athletics
Pritzker Places Restrictions On Youth Sports, IHSA Respond
This article originally appeared on the Across Illinois Patch
