Iowa high school spring sports season cancelled

 STATE (April 17) -- Iowa’s high school spring sports season was officially cancelled on Friday morning by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association.
 The decision to cancel girls and boys track, soccer, golf and tennis was based on Friday’s recommendations to keep Iowa schools closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year due to the spread of COVID-19. The cancellation was approved by the IGHSAU and IHSAA boards in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Education and state officials.
 On April 6, Iowa’s athletic governing bodies released an adjusted spring sports schedule that was predicated on schools re-opening May 1, but all spring practices, competitions and postseason events are now cancelled.
 The summer sports of baseball and softball, meanwhile, are suspended until further notice. Practice, competition and postseason dates will be announced when they become available.
 “While we are disappointed that student-athletes will not have the opportunity to compete this spring, we remain committed to our primary goal of keeping students, coaches, officials and communities safe,” stated IHSAA executive director Tom Keating. “This cancellation comes out of an abundance of caution for the well-being of all. Conducting our spring season would involve moving groups of people in and out of various communities for competition. At this time we believe that is a risk we should not take.”
 Guidance from Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Public Health previously had suspended spring activities twice - first through April 12 and later April 30. At a news conference on Friday, Governor Reynolds announced the extended closure of in-person schooling and school activities with Department of Education executive director Dr. Ann Lebo.
 The IGHSAU and IHSAA extended their thanks to all spring sports participants, coaches, administrators, officials and spectators for their passion, patience and effort during this unprecedented time.
 During the 2018-19 school year, spring sports in Iowa accounted for more than 45,000 participants. Track and field was the second-most popular sport by participation for both the IHSAA (12,012 boys) and the IGHSAU (9,908 girls).
 “We understand the important role that athletics and activities play in the lives of our students, schools and communities,” stated IGHSAU executive director Jean Berger. “But during this time of uncertainty, we must support the health and safety recommendations of our state and national leaders. This decision is especially heartbreaking for our senior competitors, and we thank them for all they have done to represent their schools throughout their careers.”
 Both organizations stated that they will continue to follow guidelines from health and government officials in determining when it is safe to resume school activities and mass gatherings.