IHSA Executive Director: “It appears to be difficult” to have football in the fall

Posted on July 14, 2020
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – With the IHSA Board of Directors set to convene later this month, the top leader of the IHSA says the football season in the fall “appears to be difficult.”

Speaking with WJBC’s Marc Strauss, IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said he is still waiting on government officials’ answers to make final decisions.

“I’ll just honestly say at this point, and a lot of my decision and thought today is based upon a little bit of what happened last week. I think with the current restrictions that Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Governor’s Office that put upon us, it appears to be difficult for us to be able to start fall activities, in particular, football…because of the physical contact that is obviously involved…It looks extremely difficult for us to have football under the current restrictions.

Currently, the first day of fall sports practices is August 10, per the IHSA calendar.

“All the benefits that the sport and activity and participation beyond the education, how important those two things are to go together are extremely important,” added Anderson. “Generally, I think our membership (IHSA Board of Directors) recognizes that so if they can and feel like they can do it safely that they will likely provide opportunities for kids.”

The IHSA Board of Directors will convene July 22, to decide options as the fall sports season approaches.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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