With high schools staying online only, FHSAA cancels spring sports season
The Florida High School Athletic Association on Monday announced that the spring sports season, including the state series for those sports, has officially been canceled as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
The cancellations of championships is a first for the FHSAA, which had held state playoffs continually each year since 1922.
Sports impacted by this include baseball, softball, track and field, tennis, lacrosse, water polo, boys’ volleyball, flag football, and boys’ weightlifting. Spring football was also set to begin on April 27.
The announcement came two days after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that all public schools will remain online only for the remainder of the school year.
“It is with heavy hearts that the FHSAA has decided to cancel all FHSAA affiliatedevents, inclusive of the state series and all championship events, for spring sports. The safety of our student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans is our top priority,” the FHSAA said in a press release. “With the evolving threat of the CORONAVIRUS [COVID-19], we must ensure that we do not contribute to the spread of this illness.”
All high school sports in the state had previously been put on hold since March 18. The FHSAA on March 31 initially left open the possibility for spring state championships to continue even if they were at a later date, going as far as being open to extending the season to June 30.
That won’t be happening, and it puts a quick and sobering end to the athletic season after coaches and players held out hope for more than a month that their seasons might continue.
The FHSAA also announced it will not be granting additional eligibility to those impacted. The association’s guidelines allows for a student-athlete to compete in sports for eight consecutive semesters.
“To all our senior student-athletes, we thank you for dedicating your time and efforts to your school, your coaches, and your teammates,” the FHSAA wrote. “Cherish the memories you have made and embrace all that the future holds for you. While we are saddened that you are unable to compete this season, we could not be prouder to have been represented by such hard-working individuals.”
Miami-Dade and Broward counties last season combined to win 14 team state titles during the spring cycle: one in baseball (Miami Christian, 2A), one in softball (Coral Springs Charter, 4A), five in track and field (Columbus, 4A boys; St. Thomas Aquinas, 4A girls; Miami Northwestern, 3A boys and 3A girls; Hallandale, 2A girls), five in tennis (Palmetto, 4A boys; Krop, 4A girls; Doral Academy, 3A girls; Gulliver Prep, 2A boys and girls) and two in water polo (Gulliver Prep boys, Ransom Everglades girls). Another 10 teams were state runners-up.
The two counties also brought home 36 event titles in track and field and won eight of 16 individual tennis titles (singles and doubles) at the state championships.
“We are deeply saddened for our student-athletes who have seen their seasons and/or high school careers end so abruptly,” the FHSAA wrote in its release. “Our Association knows the impact and role high school athletics play in the lives of so many and will continue to work towards the betterment of high school sports. We know this is a trying time,but the health and safety of all is of utmost importance to this Association.”
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 12:37 PM.
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