GameTime CT

Connecticut's premier high school sports website

  • GIRLS SPORTS
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Field Hockey
    • Golf
    • Gymnastics
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Volleyball
    • Track & Field
  • BOYS SPORTS
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling
  • Schools
  • Newspapers
    • CT Post
    • The Danbury News-Times
    • Greenwich Time
    • The Middletown Press
    • New Haven Register
    • The Norwalk Hour
    • The Register Citizen
    • The Stamford Advocate
  • Polls
    • Baseball Top 10
    • Boys Basketball Top 10
    • Girls Basketball Top 10
    • Football Top 10
    • Hockey Top 10
    • Boys Lacrosse Top 10
    • Softball Top 10
    • Other Polls
  • Scores & Stats

CIAC proposal for playing fall sports due in August

Scott Ericson | July 22, 2020

19
St Joseph celebrates their 17-13 win over Hand in the CIAC Class L state championship football game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britian, Connecticut on Dec. 14, 2019.
1of19

St Joseph celebrates their 17-13 win over Hand in the CIAC Class L state championship football game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britian, Connecticut on Dec. 14, 2019.

Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
2of19 Show MoreShow Less
The Weston Trojans win the CIAC Class M Football Championship defeating Killingly on Satuday Dec 14 ,2019 at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.
3of19

The Weston Trojans win the CIAC Class M Football Championship defeating Killingly on Satuday Dec 14 ,2019 at Veterans Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.

Gregory Vasil / For Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
New Canaan celebrates after winning the CIAC Class L girls cross country title at Manchester's Wickham Park in October.
4of19

New Canaan celebrates after winning the CIAC Class L girls cross country title at Manchester’s Wickham Park in October.

Contributed / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
The Darien field hockey team celebrates one of its four goals against Ridgefield in the CIAC Class L field hockey semifinals at Weston High School on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019.
5of19

The Darien field hockey team celebrates one of its four goals against Ridgefield in the CIAC Class L field hockey semifinals at Weston High School on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019.

David Stewart / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Guilford High School Principal Rick Misenti leads the vicotry cheer for his Guilford Indians girl's soccer team. The indians defeated Branford 2-0 for the Class L Girls state chmpionship at ken Strong Stadium in West Haven
6of19

Guilford High School Principal Rick Misenti leads the vicotry cheer for his Guilford Indians girl's soccer team. The indians defeated Branford 2-0 for the Class L Girls state chmpionship at ken Strong Stadium in West Haven

John VanacoreShow MoreShow Less
Newtown celebrates winning the CIAC Class LL championship game against Darien on Dec. 14.
7of19

Newtown celebrates winning the CIAC Class LL championship game against Darien on Dec. 14.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Greenwich's Francesco Toscano (75) rallies players at the start of the CIAC Class LL Football Quarterfinals against Darien at Darien High School in Darien, Conn. on Dec. 4, 2019.
8of19

Greenwich's Francesco Toscano (75) rallies players at the start of the CIAC Class LL Football Quarterfinals against Darien at Darien High School in Darien, Conn. on Dec. 4, 2019.

Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Sheehan coach John Ferrazzi accepts the Class S state championship plaque surrounded by captains Shaine Salvador (34), Thomas DiPasquale (58), Jordan Davis (27) and Braedon McCarthy (1).
9of19

Sheehan coach John Ferrazzi accepts the Class S state championship plaque surrounded by captains Shaine Salvador (34), Thomas DiPasquale (58), Jordan Davis (27) and Braedon McCarthy (1).

David G. Whitham / For Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Trumbull celebrates after winning the Class LL girls volleyball state championship against Westhill on Saturday in East Haven. Story on page A7.
10of19Trumbull celebrates after winning the Class LL girls volleyball state championship against Westhill on Saturday in East Haven. Story on page A7.Dave Stewart / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Hall defeats Greenwich 3-1 in a CIAC Class LL Boys Soccer State Championship at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Nov. 23, 2019 in New Britian, Connecticut.
11of19

Hall defeats Greenwich 3-1 in a CIAC Class LL Boys Soccer State Championship at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Nov. 23, 2019 in New Britian, Connecticut.

Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Fairfield Ludlowe players regroup after losing a point against Westhill in the CIAC Class LL girls volleyball semifinal in Darien on Nov. 20.
12of19

Fairfield Ludlowe players regroup after losing a point against Westhill in the CIAC Class LL girls volleyball semifinal in Darien on Nov. 20.

Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media file photoShow MoreShow Less
The Seymour volleyball team celebrates after winning a point during the fourth set in the CIAC Class M championship last year at East Haven High School. Seymour defeated Watertown 3-1 and repeated as state champs.
13of19

The Seymour volleyball team celebrates after winning a point during the fourth set in the CIAC Class M championship last year at East Haven High School. Seymour defeated Watertown 3-1 and repeated as state champs.

David Stewart / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Guilford celebrates victory in the Class M field hockey state championship game against Hand in November.
14of19

Guilford celebrates victory in the Class M field hockey state championship game against Hand in November.

Scott Mullin / For Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Staples celebrates winning the Class L state field hockey championship game against Darien on Nov. 23.
15of19

Staples celebrates winning the Class L state field hockey championship game against Darien on Nov. 23.

Scott Mullin / For Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Darien celebrates after the team finishes first during girls swimming action in Middletown, Conn., on Wednesday Nov. 20, 2019.
16of19

Darien celebrates after the team finishes first during girls swimming action in Middletown, Conn., on Wednesday Nov. 20, 2019.

Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Middletown, Connecticut - Monday, November 18, 2019: The Daniel Hand H.S. soccer team rush their goalie in celebration after defeating Guilford H.S. with penalty kicks during the CIAC Class L boys soccer state semifinals Monday evening at Middletown H.S.
17of19

Middletown, Connecticut - Monday, November 18, 2019: The Daniel Hand H.S. soccer team rush their goalie in celebration after defeating Guilford H.S. with penalty kicks during the CIAC Class L boys soccer state semifinals Monday evening at Middletown H.S.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Foran's Anna Lee Melton and Colleen Ardolino celebrate Ardolino's goal during the first round of the Class L state tournament against Bristol Eastern in Milford in November.
18of19

Foran’s Anna Lee Melton and Colleen Ardolino celebrate Ardolino’s goal during the first round of the Class L state tournament against Bristol Eastern in Milford in November.

David G. Whitham / For Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
Brien McMahon's Shirel Salinas (18), Hannah Felber (15), Leah Pascarelli (77) and Alexandra Cullen (22) defend a New Canaan penalty corner during a Class L field hockey first round game at Dunning Field on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019.
19of19

Brien McMahon's Shirel Salinas (18), Hannah Felber (15), Leah Pascarelli (77) and Alexandra Cullen (22) defend a New Canaan penalty corner during a Class L field hockey first round game at Dunning Field on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019.

Dave Stewart / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less

As neighboring states make decisions on the start of high school fall sports, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is taking a more cautious approach before deciding whether athletes can get back on the fields this fall.

A proposal to the state from the CIAC is expected Aug. 3 regarding whether fall high school sports can return — and if they do, what they will look like.

The CIAC will be taking its lead from Gov. Ned Lamont and the guidelines provided by the state of Connecticut.

“The fall committee has several options and we’re weighing all of those as we work towards a decision,” CIAC Executive Director Glenn Lungarini said. “We’re communicating with departments of education, doctors and other reopening committees in the state to determine our best course of action.”

Connecticut is one of the few states that has had success containing the coronavirus recently, and that gives hope to Lungarini moving forward.

“It provides a good opportunity that they may not have in other states,” Lungarini said. “Connecticut has done a terrific job addressing the pandemic. The CIAC was the first group to make the decision to shut down and we’re among the last groups to come back. We have to remember, we’re still dealing with a pandemic. It did not go away.”

The CIAC allowed schools to begin outdoor training by teams with athletes in groups of five to 10 on July 6.

That move came three weeks after the second phase of Gov. Lamont’s state re-opening plan, and a week after the state issued a 50-page plan to help with the return to in-school education in the fall.

“The summer training has been very successful,” Lungarini said. “I have to commend athletic directors, coaches and the kids for making sure everything is being done safely. Everyone involved has done exceptional jobs. What I keep hearing from athletic directors is that the best part is seeing the joy on the kids’ faces just from getting to spend time with each other and working out. I haven’t heard one negative.”

After this period of training, football can begin practicing Aug. 17, and all other sports can start Aug. 27. The first day for fall sports competition in Connecticut is presently scheduled for Sept. 10.

Neighboring states have already made decisions about their fall sports.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association made the decision to delay to start of the 2020 fall season for scholastic sports until Sept. 21. The original start date was Aug. 24. There will be no fall regional or state championships in New York.

“We recognize this is challenging for everyone, but the decisions made at the state level are based upon data and statewide infection rates all in an effort to stop the spread of COVID and reopen responsibly,” Robert Zayas, executive director of the NYSPHSAA, told the (Albany) Times Union. “At this time, Department of Health guidance presented on July 13 prohibits interscholastic athletics across the state. The Association will continue to follow state guidance and will work collectively with state officials to ensure high school athletics will start up responsibly in the future.”

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association announced a plan to delay its high school football season until Oct. 2. The original plan was to begin games Aug. 28.

According to New Jersey’s Return to Play plan, high school football teams began training July 13 and continue until Aug. 28. On Aug. 29, team activities will shut down for two weeks.

Fall camp is scheduled to begin Sept. 14, followed by regular-season kickoff Oct. 2.

The initial plan is for New Jersey’s six-game regular season to end Nov. 7, leading to a shortened postseason that will run from Nov. 13-22.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors voted this week to begin high school fall sports Sept. 14. That is dependent on state education guidelines for reopening schools in the state.

The plan would need to be approved by the state and Gov. Charlie Baker. The MIAA will reconvene after the state releases guidance for schools to decide which sports are safe to play and how they will operate.

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League put out a statement July 9 stating that fall sports will come back in the third week of August, with regular-season games beginning shortly after.

The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association has released guidelines for its schools to set up summer training programs in hopes that in the next phase, games can be held in the fall.

Vermont has postponed the start of the fall season, but has not set a date to return to play.

States taking a different approach include New Mexico and Virginia, which have moved their high school football seasons to the spring.

Lungarini said Connecticut is monitoring the approach taken by nearby states, but the CIAC will not base its decisions on those of other states.

“We’re looking at what other states are doing, but we’re really looking at what’s best for our state,” Lungarini said. “I do talk to colleagues in New Jersey, New York and New England about what they’re doing. We have weekly calls with directors around the country to collaborate. Connecticut has been unique in the sense that we took a stand early and did a great job. We have to have the kids in Connecticut’s best interests in mind.”

 

Sericson@stamfordadvocate.com; @EricsonSports

 

About Scott Ericson

Scott Ericson is a sports reporter for GameTimeCT based in Stamford. Email him at Sericson@stamfordadvocate.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ericsonsports.

Slam Dunk 2

Newsletter Signup

Don't strike out on CT high school sports news. Sign up for The Whistle newsletter from GametimeCT

You agree to our Terms of Use. Your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.

TeamPlayer Scores and Stats search

Scores and Stats

Video

Podcasts

Fall Sports Quick Links

Fall Sports Quick Links

2020 GAMETIMECT ALL-STATE TEAMS
BOYS SOCCER
GIRLS SOCCER
FIELD HOCKEY
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
2020 LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:
Central Connecticut
Fairfield County
Shoreline Conference
Southern Connecticut
South-West Conference

Twitter

Tweets

Polls

Who has the best jerseys?

Loading ... Loading ...
Follow Us
© Copyright 2017 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC