According to a report in the Northwest Herald, junior high sports remain paused after an announcement from the Governor’s Office that the state of Illinois remains in Tier 3 mitigations.
Illinois Elementary School Association Executive Director Steve Endsley sent a message to all member schools yesterday afternoon saying all school activities remain paused, and no practices or interscholastic contests may be held. In the message Endsley says, “This is a difficult letter to send to the IESA membership. Quite frankly, I am personally tired of giving the membership disappointing news every time I write. We need students participating. They need that for their social, emotional and mental health well-being. IESA wants students to participate in school activities just as much as the schools, coaches and parents want the students to participate. Organizing and administering interscholastic activities is what we do. We want to provide opportunities. Our hands are tied because of the Tier 3 mitigations imposed by the Governor’s Office and IDPH on the schools in Illinois. Schools must follow those directives. As difficult as that is to accept, it is what must be done.”
Endsley went on to say that junior high boys’ basketball practice that was scheduled to begin January 4, may not start on that date, and added that he believes it is safe to assume that girls’ volleyball should be paused as well when it is scheduled to start January 11. Endsley said that the IESA will no longer establish new season dates for boys’ basketball and girls’ volleyball until it gets the go-ahead from the state. “When that word is given, we will then convene a meeting of the IESA Board of Directors to decide our plan moving forward and immediately notify the IESA membership of the new schedule.”
