FHSAA delays fall sports season until Aug. 24

During its emergency meeting Thursday, July 23, the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors decided in an 11-4 vote to postpone all fall sports until Aug. 24.

The final decision — which also included a requirement that the board meet for an in-person meeting before Aug. 17 to discuss up-to-date information regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — was preceded by a three-hour discussion in which the 16-member board hit on a variety of topics as they weighed the pros and cons of when to start the fall season.

Originally the board had decided on a start date of July 27 at its first emergency meeting Monday, July 20 — which went on for nearly five hours — but reversed course suddenly toward the end of Thursday night’s meeting due to a desire for more information on the ongoing pandemic and to give the FHSAA staff more time to come up with a plan of action.

While the season would officially start Aug. 24, a two-week period of practices is required before competition can begin — meaning the first games of the fall season would not occur until Sept. 7.

Many public school systems — including Orange County Public Schools — however, have already announced postponements of the fall season with no date to return at this moment. Despite the delay, fall athletes across the state will still be allowed to participate in pod workouts and conditioning.