AIA: 2020 Fall Sports Start Dates Delayed

The Arizona Interscholastic Organization announced, in conjunction with Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s announcement Monday afternoon to delay the return of in-classroom students until August 17th, it will be delaying the start of the fall sports until that same date.

Part of the AIA’s release on the matter is below.

In response to Governor Doug Ducey’s executive order for the state of Arizona, the AIA will delay the resumption of all school-related athletics and activities until Aug. 17. This will push back the starting dates of practice for all fall sports and activities, and delay the start of competition seasons.

With the new timeline in place, member school principals will not receive the surveys regarding reopening procedures as per the previous correspondence (first and third weeks of July). Instead, the AIA will continue to meet with the numerous statewide stakeholders and prepare to create alternative sports schedules. The principals will receive surveys at a later date to more closely coincide with the state’s target date of reopening schools.

“We couldn’t be more disappointed about the information that just came out regarding our schools. However, we understand that the most pressing concern is to ensure our student-athletes can return to school in the safest way possible,” Executive Director David Hines said. “We will do everything in our power to make sure that when we get back up and going again, the transition will be as seamless as possible and to create memorable interscholastic experiences. And we’ll be able to accomplish that as long as everyone does their part to stay safe and prevent the spread of the virus.”

The release also reiterated the state is still under Governor Ducey’s first phase of statewide reopening and follow recommendations for phase 1 activity. 

The AIA will continue to wait until making a decision on when/if fall sports take place and will reassess the possibility of overlapping schedules with the fall and winter seasons at a later date.