Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that New York schools will remain closed to in-person learning for the rest of the school year.  With that announcement the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has cancelled all spring sports.  On April 27 the NYSPHSAA announced that all spring state championships were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The NYSPHSAA is comprised of 11 sections including Section 4 in which area athletes compete.  Sections 8 and 11 had already cancelled their spring sports seasons on April 21. In order to compete in athletics schools need to have students able to attend in-person learning.  With Governor Cuomo's announcement today (Friday) that will not be possible.

According to information from the NYSPHSAA 43 other state high school associations have cancelled their spring sports season in similar fashion. According to a press release from NYSPHSAA  the organization's president Paul Harrica "will begin the process of selecting members to serve on an ad hoc committee to address and analyze the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Fall 2020 interscholastic athletic season."  That committee will be made up of school and district superintendents, principals, and athletic directors.

Today's move affects thousands of athletes from around the state.  With the earlier cancellation of the spring sports championships the Broome County area suffered another economic blow.  For a number of years the NYSPHSAA has held its state baseball semifinals and finals for all five classification in Broome County.  With five venues used the monetary loss will be felt by area hotels and restaurants.

Maine Endwell Little League World Series Champions

 

WNBF News/Roger Neel Photo
WNBF News/Roger Neel Photo
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